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| Catskill Waterfall by John Frederick Kensett 1859 |
While planning the trip
I sprinted down slopes
and climbed over rocks,
stretched limbs happily alive
under wind-assisted sun.
Ah!
Now I, cane-seat
open, smell the air
in the hollow, squinting
watery eyes, frowning at
the ones crashing upward.
Shh.
I imagine I ascended
more quietly once, as
a deer showing fawns
how to move undetected
homeward in underbrush.
Let it be.
No critique, no heaviness
for those who meet
me, those who partake
of this outdoor feast—
cell phones off—
their gift to me.
Smile.
And the sun warms
the hand I palm
to my heart, beat
strong enough to open
and hold the day.
Copyright © 2014 S.L.Chast
This is lovely, one of my faves of your recent work........I can FEEL that heartbeat, "strong enough to open and hold the day." Love the image of the deer showing the fawns how to move through the bush....I saw a furry yearling today, grooming herself by the side of the road, her winter coat all ready for winter.
ReplyDeleteAs you know "Man plans and God laughs'. Things are rarely as planned, which does not mean they cannot be enjoyed. You seem to have had a very pleasant time.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love looking at deer and their fawns. I have a family of five that often pays visits here, and I can view them from my window. Magnificent. I do like to get outside and partake of nature outside though, and I agree that those who do so should turn their cell phones off! I liked your last stanza. We do have to find a way to hold each day.
ReplyDeleteYes switching of the phone would be a good idea to really feel the nature.. The form is very nice with those bridging phrases.
ReplyDeleteas i read i feel i'm there...very soothing...
ReplyDeleteAh! a nice trip with one self:)
ReplyDeleteOne of the delights in life is to lose yourself in the natural world.
ReplyDeletea lovely reflection
ReplyDeletelove your outdoorsy piece. makes me wanna go out and enjoy the fresh air outside!!! actually it's beginning to get cold here so I'd probably go with a mug of hot chocolate!!! nice poem!!!
ReplyDeletelove the image of palm to heart - opening - beautiful poem
ReplyDeleteThe idea of a wind-assisted sun is indeed charming. Loved this piece. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat ending sitting in the sun being warmed. Such a physical image I can remember the feeling myself and you invoking it draws me in more.
ReplyDeleteI love the beautiful ending, open hand palms, silence is a gift in the dawning of the day ~
ReplyDeleteSusan, The visual impact was terrific...I enjoyed this arm chair tour ...felt the warm sun on my skin...met " a deer showing fawns"--- Absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAnd the concluding lines are so meaningful.. Loved this piece.. :)
I love how the poem works to climb as we do with you in silence with cell phones off...
ReplyDeleteI love how the poem works to climb as we do with you in silence with cell phones off...
ReplyDeleteSounds like a most wonderful time. Makes me want to partake as well! Lovely closing stanza too, Susan.
ReplyDeleteSuch an idyllic description of time spent communing with nature.
ReplyDeleteSo glorious, Susan. There is nothing as soul-refreshing as being out in nature and becoming a keen observer. Being able to put that into beautiful words? That's a poetic soul.
ReplyDeletefeels like a wonderful vacation....lovely.
ReplyDeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteZQ
Mmmm...Love the trip to mountains.. like this union with nature, holding such a nice trip in your heart. x
ReplyDeleteabsolutely lovely poem! loved how you described the outdoors. and the ending is, well, touching.
ReplyDeletea superb poetry from the expert :)
ReplyDeleteI love this scene in the woods. Nature is such a great thing to listen to when one gets a chance. I like the titles in between each stanza. (Is title the correct word? Maybe soft commands or responses to what you've observed?) Well done.
ReplyDeleteIntensely personal ' journey of the soul' at times brisk at times slow silent holy meditative in solitude - the world is attracted towards the inner being as 'a gift to me' Like Wordsworth's moon' it shines over my head' moving into Pantheism -flowing with the 'stage action prompts' 'sh 'let it be' smile ' reveals the Unseen Power -time is but till sunset' the day will transform into night-the 'hold must stay with hope trust courage and faith' till it is day-again -the journey continues ...a symbolic poem of faith and guidance...superbly moving from image to image -one reads on -again and again till peace meets the warm sunshine...
ReplyDeleteglad you captured a bit of your day...cute moment with the deer and the mom teaching them to move silently...we have quite a few deer that stop by...even this time of year...maybe they know they are safe....
ReplyDeleteThis flows like soothing calm wave ... beautifully written.
ReplyDelete