The RetroLounge Daily Poem Thread (Fri 6/1/2007)

[RetroLounge]

This Morning

This morning was something. A little snow
lay on the ground. The sun floated in a clear
blue sky. The sea was blue, and blue-green,
as far as the eye could see.
Scarcely a ripple. Calm. I dressed and went
for a walk -- determined not to return
until I took in what Nature had to offer.
I passed close to some old, bent-over trees.
Crossed a field strewn with rocks
where snow had drifted. Kept going
until I reached the bluff.
Where I gazed at the sea, and the sky, and
the gulls wheeling over the white beach
far below. All lovely. All bathed in a pure
cold light. But, as usual, my thoughts
began to wander. I had to will
myself to see what I was seeing
and nothing else. I had to tell myself this is what
mattered, not the other. (And I did see it,
for a minute or two!) For a minute or two
it crowded out the usual musings on
what was right, and what was wrong -- duty,
tender memories, thoughts of death, how I should treat
with my former wife. All the things
I hoped would go away this morning.
The stuff I live with every day. What
I've trampled on in order to stay alive.
But for a minute or two I did forget
myself and everything else. I know I did.
For when I turned back i didn't know
where I was. Until some birds rose up
from the gnarled trees. And flew
in the direction I needed to be going.

Raymond Carver

****************

RL

If you have a request for a certain Poet, post their name in the thread and I will find a poem by them and post it...

if you want to see some of my poetry, see the blog at:
http://www.myspace.com/retropaul

[wildhorses]

1. always go in the direction the birds fly

instinct

so much more than

intelligence.

thanks, retro

:hi:

[xchrom]

2. who am i and what did i have for lunch?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Good morning, my dear Retro!

I love this........it almost sounds like meditation to me...

To lose yourself in nature, to put aside all the normal thoughts...

Quite lovely.......

Thank you...:hug:

[BarenakedLady]

4. Love it

I try to do that, lose myself in nature. Try to stop those nagging thoughts that crowd my brain all the time. It does only work for a moment or two.

Thanks RL (I did stop my troublesome thoughts for a moment just reading that) :hi:

[Inchworm]

5. I was there

"in the moment" with him. Then the poem ended and I was back at my desk.

I really like that sort of imagery.

:thumbsup:

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

6. I really miss Carver. He died before I had discovered him.

I read his short stories first, then his poetry. Then his wife's Fiction and poetry (Tess Gallagher).

He died of cancer, too young...

RL

[wildhorses]

7. have you posted her work?

that name sounds familiar:shrug:

fucking cancerx(

[RetroLounge]

8. Whose?

Raymond Carver dies of cancer

He was married to Tess Gallagher

Hers?

RL

[Inchworm]

9. Just wanted to say to you RetroLounge...

I really do appreciate you posting these poems each day.

It is a highlight of my day. You also got me looking up other poems by authors that strike a spot in me. I used to do that a lot and guess I forgot joyful poetry is to read.

:toast: to you and :yourock:

[RetroLounge]

10. Thanks!

That's what I love to hear...

I'm glad to spread to poetry gospel.

:hi:

RL

[wildhorses]

11. yes, hers. tess gallagher --

where have i heard that name:shrug: