Saturday, March 16, 2013

False Notes

I've longed for a morning of quiet such as this
When ears that are rattled by jangling of trains
Are calmed by the warbles of birds.

And now as I bask in the sunlight on steps,
With eyes full of trees blooming bright,
From corners of gaze leak shadows I've known
And act out in rooms, the scenes I've played
With costumes I knew not I had.

And even as I marshal my tools rather fast,
To build up my fence or cote, flat or fold
They leap over walls as masterless horse
And stride towards unforeseen fields.

Left without harness or halters that fit,
I'm stunned by the prospect of plays that'll come
And burn all my scripts up in flames.

The morning now shrieks with discordant hoots
As a blind owl gropes for its nest.

22 comments:

Travel with Chamz Chamen said...

your poem says so many deep feelings. nice to read this one. keep it up. :)

http://www.travelwithchamz.com/

Anonymous said...

First read was about an overpowering inspiration that needs further clarity. Latter readings were about inspiration fleeing from a mind that too late realizes what happened.

Great, great poem. Depth delivered with excellent phrasing and imagery.

Jennifer Wagner said...

The sights, sounds, and imagery that play out before me are fantastic. This is one to dig into.

Mary said...

At the beginning I read the longing for quiet and the enjoyment of the birds' warbles. Somehow, however, it all goes awry and ends with discordant hoots. Sometimes the best laid plans go wrong! Sigh.

Audrey Howitt aka Divalounger said...

I loved this--your work is always so well crafted---and beautifully written--to me, this speaks of the places our writing can take us--the unexpected, darker places that we may fear---a piece to come back to again and again Abin

Sherry Blue Sky said...

This is a remarkable write - such depth. One is lulled by the sun and birds into thinking this is an enjoyable spring poem - till the Muse takes the dreamer all over the map. Terrific write! Thanks for gracing the Pantry!

Anonymous said...

The imagery is beautiful.

kaykuala said...

Great take, Abin! You go deep into the intricacies! Your word craft is brilliant poetics!

Hank

Unknown said...

Such imagery! The natural world inspires and offers our limited view an opportunity to see the parallels, connections, that are always there.

Gemma Wiseman said...

So often we presume natural alternatives would be great escapes from the rattle of life! But then, Nature has her own sound effects that can be somewhat discordant! Fascinating poem!

Unknown said...

A lot to absorb in this write with a lot of imagery ... Enjoyed it :)

Mixi said...

Abin, your ideas always make me pause for thought. This started off with a wistful wish for peace, and ended in conflict and dissonance. A writer's mind delved into with such clarity and depth. Loved every line of it!

sayan said...

may there be mornings in your life which play out true tunes..and let the birds chirp you into writing more wonderful poetry...

Susan said...

What a fine and true expression for many of us who let go only rarely. It takes practice to stay with the warblers rather than the hooters. I like how your poem made me feel that as the simple beauty gradually developed shadows, populated them, engaged the population in drama and then--hopefully just in the imagination--lit the fire to destroy the plays. Gosh, what a journey! As a metaphor for life, this morning grew old much too quickly. Think I'll take a nap.

Kimolisa said...

Amazing imagery, I'm almost speechless.

Kerry O'Connor said...

That last image is so powerful and an excellent conclusion for the whole theme.

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful imagery!!

Kay L. Davies said...

Wonderfully done, Abin. From the warbles of songbirds to the blind owl, you have captured many feelings in your words.
K

Marian said...

i can see you there!
this has a very delicate rhythm that i really enjoyed, too... it added to the building of the story.

Jinksy said...

How well you caught the downside of harsh reality in your conclusion...

Margaret said...

horses, costumes, nature.... all my favorite things. Great metaphors and thought process.

TCPC said...

There is something to assimilate from false notes too!very profound!