ODE Poem

[Another Didi challenge]

MP3 File

Praise be to flowered
flannel that softens
and fades with age.

Praise to checkered
slippers knitted by
elderly aunts from

left-over yarn, thick
slippers to cushion
& warm our wandering

feet. Praise to happy
pom-poms, to antique
lace; praise to hooded,

over-sized robes with
rolled sleeves; floor-
length robes of terry

& fleece. Praise to satin
& silk; praise to clinging
fabrics carefully folded

into ribboned boxes
by hopeful lovers & well-
wishing friends. Praise

to boxers and too-big
T-shirts, snatched from
the closets of intimate

strangers. Praise to high-
heeled slippers & slippers
shaped like rabbits. Blessed

be all that keeps us warm,
alley cats & pomeranians,
cuddlers, snugglers, back-

sleepers, side-sleepers,
spooners, quilted duvets
& comforters: Praised be.

Comments

[gingerivers]

Wonderful poem Sharon!

[Rachel]

This is wonderful! If I ever teach a class on odes again, I'd love for my students to read this.

Have you read Pablo Neruda's Odes to Common Things?

[SB]

Thanks, both of you -- and Rachel, I'm flattered. Of course you should always feel free to use any of my poems. And I don't think I have read that Neruda -- and I bet it's in my bookcase.

Sadly, I have to wait till next week . . .

[Poetry]

4 June 2007

After the storm, my mind cleared.

And a high wind arose and blew the tropics north.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

running quartz crystals through a blender.

sand through your engines.

bubbles in your bays.

estuaries reaching out toward forbidden seas...

sand through your eyes.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

5 June 2007

Calm as baby's breath

as peaceful as the storm's eye

Clouds spread and drawn with rough strokes of stratospheric winds

a warm and windy tropical day.

======================================

7 June 2007

Black water at dusk.

Lighting on the horizon.

Warm winds coming in across the darkening waters.

A flash of white wings as an egret takes flight.

And Thunder like God clearing his throat.

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8 June 2007

Morning star in the still of the clear, dark waters.

a sky as clear eyed as a young girl.

bruised and tattered storm remnants limp off in the gathering light.