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OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

0 posted 2011-01-23 02:06 AM



MY STUDY AT NIGHT
±1976

The day’s tattered, shattered nerves
bathe their wounds in the stillness.
This haven - book-impregnated -
Stimulates my mind,
Soothes my spirit
And I again become my friend.
The cheap prints above me cannot mask
The serenity of the Dutch and Flemish masterpieces.
Vague shapes on another wall
Sail into seas of blue-grey mystery.
Brown and ochre soften white
In the autumn of the day.
My clock, wood-carved and old,
Slowly ticks away each pregnant minute.
At quarter hours, I hold my breath
And listen to the mellow notes
Soft-echoed soon by other clocks in other rooms.
Age and time and grace
Are mingled into one,
In this, my sanctuary à moi.
My massive, hand-built, yellow-wooded desk
Bears marks of character
And stains of use
Dealt by hands unknown to me.
My music is
Now symphony of passionate wind and sighing trees,
Now tenor-voiced crickets penetrating
The depth of night in poignant song,
Now haunting oboes creaking odes to Rain,
Now Rain herself, whispering at my window-pane
Or thundering on the roof and gurgling in the gutters.
My friends are all around,
Bound
In leather, cloth and paperback,
Free
To speak
And speak again.
Brown canine eyes look into mine
And we delight in our mutual understanding.
Psychiatrists say there is no communication
And acquaintances ask why I work so late.

Owl

© Copyright 2011 Diana van den Berg - All Rights Reserved
JerryPat
Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991
Louisiana/America
1 posted 2011-01-23 06:41 AM


The love of the written word come across first and foremost here, Owl. You describe that room magnificently and with great detail. I love the meandering among the books. One line, among many, stand out to me, "And I again become my friend."

~ Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.  ~

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
2 posted 2011-01-23 07:07 AM


Thank you Jerry for enjoying my study so much.  Smiles.

Owl

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
3 posted 2011-01-23 07:50 PM


a grand impression ...

wonderfully tangible imagery!

fine writing !!

steavenr
Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058

4 posted 2011-01-23 09:54 PM


...now this is a write that truly lives up to the fulfilling of the meaning for which it was written...a study, one you can gladly 'study' in...thank you for bringing us into your sacred chamber...loved it
faithmairee
Senior Member
since 2011-01-05
Posts 1441
Poe Haven, USA
5 posted 2011-01-23 11:02 PM


Owl-What a magnificent poem you have written.  WOW!  I am impressed!

Faith

There must be a poem in here somewhere.

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
6 posted 2011-01-24 12:32 PM


This is a superb poem!
I loved wandering down through it with my eyes creating the images.
Forget the Psychiatrists!

How wonderful you can take solace in such a place.

Write on with your beautiful thoughts.

Eric

when you don't create things, you become defined by your tastes rather than ability. your tastes only narrow & exclude people. so create.

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
7 posted 2011-01-24 12:26 PM


Thank you, Bruce, for your kind words.

Thank you, Steaven, for appreciating my sacred chamber.

Thank you, Faith.  I am glad you liked it so much.

Thank you, Eric.  Yes, it is a great place of solace.  The “psychiatrists” part was simply a way of saying that those who are only analytical and unable to comprehend the bliss, comfort and solace, miss the point of it all.  

Owl

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
8 posted 2011-01-24 12:59 PM


I agree they do miss the point of it all.

Notice my signature.....smile...

Take Care

Eric

Forget the Psychiatrists they just find out all about you and sell you back to yourself!

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
9 posted 2011-01-24 03:11 PM


Sounds like a wonderful, cozy, Diana kind of place. I have a room I call my office thatI love to spend time in as well.
                                  Ida

The_Doctors_Angel_32
Member
since 2011-01-14
Posts 337
Florida, USA
10 posted 2011-01-24 05:22 PM


Awesome write!!! I loved the imagery. Espeially about all the instruments and rain and thunder.

When the family is together, the soul is at peace - Russian Proverb


OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
11 posted 2011-01-24 07:06 PM


Yes, Eric, some do.  Your signature is interesting.  I don’t know that I agree with it, though.  Smiles.

Thanks, Ida.  Yes, it is.  I am glad you have your office too.

Thank you, Julie.  I am glad you enjoyed it so much, especially those bits.

Owl

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