Post by rrw on Jan 9, 2012 3:37:13 GMT -5
I
Unreasonably warm the beginning of January.
Spring like weather forcing the crows and sparrows
who huddle on the lawn
to shake their feathered heads and wonder,
“Should we take to flight, go to nest or just
squat here endlessly waiting for winter to come?”
II
An old Levi Jacket hangs
on the back of my studio chair,
waits for me to snatch it up,
throw it on, and walk briskly
to the local Wal*Mart for ice cream...
My heavier coat (thick with duck feather down)
frowns and whimpers a bit as I place
it on a wooden hanger way back in the closet
under the white shelf stacked with stocking caps
and underwear which marvel at my lack of care
when it comes to their well being. The only comfort
they know is the darkness they share.
III
Outside, even the traffic seems a tad lonely
for there’s not much movement on the roads
and avenues, no blare of horns or that steady throb
of rap music passing by. A quiet almost motionless day...
But not for me and my new tennis shoes which bounce along
the damp grass, the patches of drying mud, enjoying
the over all freshness of a new Year...
IV
Although the wind is brisk, it’s kind enough
to gently lift the cuffs of my jeans, expose my naked ankles
to its cool but not unpleasant breath... And, yes, I’ve forgotten
to wear socks... again... I’m always forgetting something...
it seems... my hat, my watch, sometimes the granny sunglasses
I wear even when it’s dark. My eyes, age sensitive to light...
the moon, when it shines, seems somehow far too bright....
V
And, of course, there’s a basement flood of memories crowding
my graying attic that will not be ignored even
on this pleasant morning which begs me not to think... too much.
VI
She has better things to do with the rest of her life:
a tenure track position at a rather prestigious school,
a blonde busboy (much younger than me) who
smiled at her while swipping up the dirty dishes
she dropped her last day waiting tables.
What a lovely couple they make.
VII
But I can’t grumble... too much.
It’s a warm day in early January.
I should enjoy it... before it’s gone. —rrw 1-8-12
Unreasonably warm the beginning of January.
Spring like weather forcing the crows and sparrows
who huddle on the lawn
to shake their feathered heads and wonder,
“Should we take to flight, go to nest or just
squat here endlessly waiting for winter to come?”
II
An old Levi Jacket hangs
on the back of my studio chair,
waits for me to snatch it up,
throw it on, and walk briskly
to the local Wal*Mart for ice cream...
My heavier coat (thick with duck feather down)
frowns and whimpers a bit as I place
it on a wooden hanger way back in the closet
under the white shelf stacked with stocking caps
and underwear which marvel at my lack of care
when it comes to their well being. The only comfort
they know is the darkness they share.
III
Outside, even the traffic seems a tad lonely
for there’s not much movement on the roads
and avenues, no blare of horns or that steady throb
of rap music passing by. A quiet almost motionless day...
But not for me and my new tennis shoes which bounce along
the damp grass, the patches of drying mud, enjoying
the over all freshness of a new Year...
IV
Although the wind is brisk, it’s kind enough
to gently lift the cuffs of my jeans, expose my naked ankles
to its cool but not unpleasant breath... And, yes, I’ve forgotten
to wear socks... again... I’m always forgetting something...
it seems... my hat, my watch, sometimes the granny sunglasses
I wear even when it’s dark. My eyes, age sensitive to light...
the moon, when it shines, seems somehow far too bright....
V
And, of course, there’s a basement flood of memories crowding
my graying attic that will not be ignored even
on this pleasant morning which begs me not to think... too much.
VI
She has better things to do with the rest of her life:
a tenure track position at a rather prestigious school,
a blonde busboy (much younger than me) who
smiled at her while swipping up the dirty dishes
she dropped her last day waiting tables.
What a lovely couple they make.
VII
But I can’t grumble... too much.
It’s a warm day in early January.
I should enjoy it... before it’s gone. —rrw 1-8-12
huggs!
.
and 
all
time for me 
echoes, hope you all are doing well 
