Saturday, March 31, 2012

How It Is

I live anonymously
between breath and hum
and the erratic flights of crows,
their wings a rustle of taffeta
through which I strain
my Pu-erh tea and dreams –
reaching, breathing, ascending…


I’m mostly behind the trees now -
their branches growing
so close to me, I can’t
see my own arms anymore.


But, at night, I do see
the slow drift of stars
and can’t help thinking
that Astraeus must be tired
of keeping all those fires burning.

12 comments:

Carol Steel said...

I like this, especially the last verse. And the rustle of crows' wings... Lovely.

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

Carol, many thanks for stopping in and leaving such a nice comment.

@okieprof said...

Amazing. The trees, the aloneness, I keep thinking I'm looking at an abstract painting that mirrors my journey

and your knowledge of mythology makes it so real

Crafty Green Poet said...

I particularly like the erratic flight of crows

Bob said...

*blink, blink, rub my eyes*... what's this, a new poem finally! lol :P... excellent, made my day, Kaye.

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

Terry, we all live those "abstract painting" lives. Thanks so much, my artist friend. I always look forward to your observations.


Crafty Green Poet, I'm happy that you stopped by and I appreciate your kind remark.


Bob, that cracked me up! Thanks for always being there for me - and for always inspiring me with your excellent work.

Margaret said...

In your poem I see a slowing down of our lives as the years pass by, Kaye. Just the way nature intended.

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

Margaret, thank you for your special insight. Always good to see you.

Karen said...

I love this Kay. From the first statement, "I live anonymously...," I am part of this.The rustle of taffeta is especially evocative and the arms/branches, held to the sky, like the crows, reaching, ascending, leads me straight to the stars. Wonderful work, as always, and welcome!

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

Karen, thanks so much! I appreciate your close study. The crows and stars always seem to inspire me. Maybe that is Vincent reaching out to me...

Aniket Thakkar said...

Yay! Finally, all the poetic giants have turned up in one place.

Vincent would've been proud. Flawless, as usual.
Good to see you Kay.

I often imagine a war of poetry, where you and Karen fight side by side, like two Ninjas (or witches if you like) annihilating the enemy armies.

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

Aniket, hahaa...Karen and I did stand side by side fighting - years ago. It wasn't poets we were fighting, it was ... I'll have to ask Karen if she remembers what it was exactly. Thank you for your wonderful comment! Always great to see you, my friend.