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We lie on earth and pull blue sky
around us as
instructed
at the well of the inner voice.
Here we try to love simply and--if
we cannot--
we
let the reigning God(s) pour love through us.
This is the penultimate action
before death
so
we pray to do it for years and years.
Letting go is easier than we
expected—
we’ve
had practice in walks to sea and lakes.
Whenever wild geese call, our
heads float up to fly
with
them, our feet leave paths of should behind.
And the first flowers of spring—snowdrop
or daffodil—
stop
us for wonder’s sake, for love and hope.
Wrapped up in sky and earth we
learn the truth of life,
this close
relationship, this kindness. Oh.
For my prompt "Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Kindness."
by Donkey Hotey (2011) flickr
My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
© 2019 Susan L. Chast
Oh that last Oh!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, this is so beautiful. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteLeaving paths of "should" is often one of life's most difficult tasks, isn't it? Thanks to your poem, I will make a conscious effort to abandon more of those "should-y" ways! :)
ReplyDelete'letting it go' is the goal...it is the supreme form of kindness. Well penned emotional but powerful poem
ReplyDelete"this kindness. oh." My new favourite. This is WONDERFUL. Yes, that moment of joy and wonder at the crocuses. Every. Single. Spring. As if it is a brand new miracle. Which it is. How I love this poem!
ReplyDeleteAh, this discovery provides some form of relief. The last line is indeed magical. From pulling that blue sky around to ending up wrapped in sky and earth, I am thoroughly enraptured by the imagery of this verse, with its form and rhythm adding into the reading pleasure.
ReplyDeleteHow beautifully this poem reads Susan. Life really is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful I absolutely love "We lie on earth and pull blue sky around us as instructed at the well of the inner voice." and these last to lines
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning, needing to let go feels like dying. But like your poem says, the actual act of letting go is easy (after we've done it). And when we look back at the whole thing, moving away from what did nothing good (for us or others) feels like a kindness for all.
ReplyDeleteLove that final "Oh", that release..
I love the idea of being wrapped in the sky. A lovely write.
ReplyDeleteI love this - so full of beauty and wonder.
ReplyDeleteSomebody at peace with he world and glad to be alive.
ReplyDeleteEvery word has a halo of contentment, peace, gratitude and love. The poem itself gets a vast expanse of freedom with the inclusion of the sky. "our feet leave paths of should behind." Exactly. Love the restfulness. Beautiful, Susan.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Susan, this poem seems to me to be written in a style similar to that of Mary Oliver - especially that last four lines! I like the idea of God pouring love through us = indeed we are God's instrument, and it is good that we always remember that. It makes kindness have an even greater purpose. And, ah, the first flowers of spring - symbolic, I think of that hope....and perhaps a sign of God's kindness to the earth?? We can learn....
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful- love it!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous writing, Susan. I had to take a breath at the ending.
ReplyDeleteLovely and Serene, Susan. And so full of hope! :)
ReplyDelete