Open Poetry #43 |
My Study at Night |
OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
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 |
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© Copyright 2008 Diana van den Berg - All Rights Reserved | |||
Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Dearest Diana, this nightly perception of divine connection in your study is the proof of what a truly inspired life you live. All things and all sounds carry a message, you are wonderfully attuned to what surrounds you. Magnificent write! Love and hugs. Margherita |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you Margherita for living my poem so well and for you very kind comments. - Owl |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
This seems similar to my own "sanctuary" I have a room I call my office where I spend time with my books and do my writing etc. You describe "your study" so well I feel as though I'm there and it's a wonderful place to be. Ida |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
"And I again become my friend." oh Diana this tells your life it is comfortable and exciting at the same time and how wonderful to see a picture of you are you wearing slops? |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Yo OwlSA, This is very good. Don't we work late though? Love Bobby |
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poddarku Senior Member
since 2008-01-15
Posts 589india |
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 This poetry has a hue of sadness blended with the sounds of soul. are you taking care my friend? clever talks delay friendship! |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Oh, I have such wonderful friends here at Pip! Ida, what a lovely name for your special place - a sanctuary - and I am so glad that it is a sanctuary! Kate, you know me so well! Thank you for your kind words about my poem and me. It took more courage than I would like to tell, to put this photo in. Thank you Bobby. Yes, we do, though I only do so now when my belief is that it is safe to do so. Kushal, you, too, know me so well. Yes there is, perhaps even more now than then when this was written (±1976). Yes, my friend, I am taking care. - Owl |
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