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Open Poetry #13
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Mabel A. Dilley
Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859
Seattle, WA, USA

0 posted 2001-03-28 10:37 AM





Lonely for my father
I walk where fields have been planted,
remembering the plow turning
the dark earth
imagine livestock grazing
in adjacent pasture
an early sun slanting over the hills
rolling under the earth at night.

Since his heart gave out
I think of him more often
as if there were nourishment in death
as if a process of endarkenment
were healthy for the soul
as if strolling these fields for forty days
were time enough to mend fences
walk an empty windowless barn
a door at each end like a tunnel
through which the slanted light shines.

There’s no need to pursue perfection
when it’s all around you in rolling meadows
river valley towns
secluded shorelines and solitary country roads
here perfection is effortless and eloquent
calmly waiting for you.

Set yourself free where the river meets the sea
and all that is heard is a forest awakening.



Graphics: Old Growth Rain Forest, British Columbia
© The Image Bank


"I am not now that which I have been."

[This message has been edited by Julian Lester (edited 03-28-2001).]

© Copyright 2001 Mabel A. Dilley - All Rights Reserved
Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
1 posted 2001-03-28 10:39 AM


Set yourself free where the river meets the sea
and all that is heard is a forest awakening
...

Fantastic lines, and so is the complete poem itself...

Regards,
Sudhir

Panne415
Member
since 2001-03-21
Posts 104
San Antonio
2 posted 2001-03-28 11:36 AM


Julian, Nice thoughts. In you first verse, I think you need to make remembering and imagine the same - both should be either remembering and imagining or remember and imagine - see what I mean?  And I would find another word for endarkment...something more known and more powerful...I hope that helps your piece a bit.  Having lost my father a few years back I can fully relate to this. Panne
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
3 posted 2001-03-28 11:59 AM


Julian,
I agree with Panne, but the soul is there.
And the work once touched up will be a keeper.

Mabel A. Dilley
Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859
Seattle, WA, USA
4 posted 2001-03-28 01:47 PM


Thank you for your critique as well as your comments. Both are most welcome and will assist me in raising the standard of my writing.

"I am not now that which I have been."

Katherine Chandler
Member
since 2001-03-07
Posts 280
Florida, USA
5 posted 2001-03-29 08:37 PM


I got so into this poignant write that ing's were not on my mind. I see the theory, but still feel the poem was perfect in its presentation of showing what was in your mind at the time. Beautifully moving, my friend..   Kate

Shal m

Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood.
T S Eliot

Auguste
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953
By the sea
6 posted 2001-03-29 09:36 PM


Julian,

This is the first work of yours that I've had a chance to read and I have to tell you that I'm impressed.  Such good writing.  Thank you for sharing this.

Michael

Proust-
"Love is space and time measured by the heart"

RMW
Senior Member
since 2001-03-21
Posts 1424

7 posted 2001-03-29 11:23 PM


Julian....walking is good for the soul, this poem proves that. Bob
Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

8 posted 2001-03-29 11:42 PM


Nice piece Julian...it is very gentle, and tender.

Thanks for the read..

K

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
9 posted 2001-03-30 01:43 AM


A lovely mood...James
KokoStewartKoomoa
Senior Member
since 2000-12-04
Posts 580
Waikiki, Hawaii
10 posted 2001-03-30 02:35 AM


Very touching. I can not ever find fault with your poems. I am a fan ya know! The thing I loved about this one is the sweet spiritual aspects and the peace it briangs when I read it. Much that you write has that effect on me and I need that at this time. Thanks! Koko

Passion,imagination
and intellect
running together...
Poetry in motion~~~

Aloha with
warmest regards, Koko



Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
11 posted 2001-03-30 12:21 PM


sometimes when we are moved by our heartstrings, we are not listening to, but feeling, the words....

as I felt this, very deeply, and I thank you for it....

sincerely....

[This message has been edited by Sunshine (edited 03-30-2001).]

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