1
This tall tree
dams the river where it fell
across
gravity
pushes pulls a new
path around
water’s weight and
flow
prevail
2
tiny
rufous hummingbird
repeatedly throws itself, thumps
against nest’s nearby windows
fearing self’s reflection
as other
repeats
protective instinctive reaction
towards self-destruction
or
must
move away and turn, turn
turn a new direction
3
finally May first
the earth inhales the sun
relaxes
– no longer
stiff contracted and protected from
the cold and dark –
branches release their reserves
exhaling
leaves and flowers
4
cleaning my house
i let go
the weight of
too many
precious possessions
to protect
possibilities abound
in
clean and empty space
5
May sun
high noon
breaks bright through grey clouds
reflections
refracted off water drops
hanging
saturated segmented serrated
needles and leaves
wet
concrete ground
each layered surface shining
enlightened
before the rain
returns
washing the world
dull without dimension
This is a fabulous piece. I enjoyed the focused nature of it and then how it backs up to the general. And on such a topic, I love that there was absolutely no cliche in here – It was all new and unexpected and I love that.
[…] (Elisabeth Bee, in five poems about spring – a quintet (#4)) […]
I like it when you take a twist on my thoughts…
I did start to realize that the way the poems link up is very indicative of the way I connect disparate but parallel ideas in my sometimes over active mind.
Not just a pair of voices, but an entire quintet sounding at once – each voice transparent to the other – weaving faceted meanings.
EB
Elisabeth, I enjoy the connections and the tangential sparkles I discover in your writing. I am often surprised and delighted by the freshness of your language ― as Carl says, free of cliché).