Three ghosts are in the hall. On the cable
internet outside, two currawongs are pecking,
but the mysteries of past and present,
of calendars, dates and numbers are best
left for numerical processors.
When time was thick and sweet and I couldn’t breathe,
when you wept and left me wondering,
when the blue of clouds and day was painted
on the land to resist the night’s temptations,
I could start six lines and finish them,
know what I’d just said and order wine.
Now the solar Ferris wheel has turned,
carried me over Russian mountains.
I don’t remember what you told me,
poetic hair or teeth,
just a building, storied glass and steel,
with heat reflective windows.
Was I less than spiteful?
Was I more than shallow?
Between the poles outside, the wind is billowing,
tearing thoughts from trees
to be raked up by my neighbors.
I hear plaintive cawing sounds,
the currawongs conversing.
currawong 1
I’ll wait for you in the raindrop castles of the sky
my love, eternally until forever.
currawong 2
My fluttering flower, once you’ve said
eternally, forever is redundant.
They must have pecked into a streaming TV movie.
about
I like the idea of birds or insects talking to each other, it started when I re-read the Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge—the chat between the Polar Spirit’s fellow demons.
artwork
grains
Haha brilliant, as usual.
Thanks Vanessa. Had a bit of post-Christmas pre-New Year panic, not knowing what to write, but once I overheard the currawongs it all became clear .
Bless those currawongs. And so articulate. And droll. Who knew?
I am tempted to reblog this 🙂
Using my patent-pending futuroscope, I’ve detected that you’ve given in to temptation :D.
I’ve been doing the same in relation to beer in the fridge, which might explain the delay with comments. I was going to say thanks for sharing the post. In fact I think I will.
I identify with currawong 2! 🙂 Another beauty. Tearing thoughts from the trees. Yummy.
Thanks BG. I like grammar, in a remote collegial sort of way. What we don’t know is the gender of the currawongs. Pretty sure the currawongs don’t know either :). PS: Have a great 2017.
Wishing you a wonderful 2017, too, Steve! Keep up the beautiful words.
I like that idea, too. Besides, this talk was very uplifting and with eternal touch.
I have a new post, too, on secondary blog https://inesepogalifeschool.com/2016/12/22/christmas-fairy-tale-going-home/
Wishing you all the best for 2017, but especially health and inspiration!
Thanks Inese, and to you also, have a great 2017. And thanks so much for the link to the other blog.
Gorgeous work Steve. Really enjoyed this much much. You can always rely on a distant cousin of the corvidae to know what to say next.
Hope you’re having a fantastic festive season.
Cheers,
Frank
Thanks Frank, yeah, those currawongs are so insightful :). Festive season, so far, so good ;). Wishing you a poetic 2017, Steve.
Reblogged this on say no to clowns and commented:
I so love Steve’s work!
Thanks Vanessa, the currawongs want me to pass on their gratitude as well.
My pleasure!
🙂