Carol A. Hand
*
Greeting the morning
listening
to the sounds of the awakening city
the loud constant whirring of traffic
on wet pavement just before school starts
joined by deep thrumming in the distance
as the train whistle sounds and the school bell shrills
Sounds crescendoing accompanied by thunder
rumbling in the distance then booming overhead
*
Retreating inside
listening
to the refrigerator quietly humming
before my dog and parakeet awaken
to greet the morning with song
*
I miss the long ago sounds of the forest
but I have to believe there’s a reason
for being here now
questioning
whether simple loving actions matter
contemplating
the importance of purpose,
perspicacity, persistence, and patience
as the storm moves on to the east,
clouds clear and traffic sounds fade
allowing bird song to be heard once again
as my little dog awakens and explores the new day
*
*
Nice poem and loved your little doggy.
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Thank you so much for your kind words, Kamal. ❤
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Welcome Carol.
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“…I have to believe there’s a reason
for being here now
questioning
whether simple loving actions matter
contemplating…”
Carol, I understand completely where you are. What a lovely reflection this piece is. Precious companion you have there, too. Their presence in our lives, so important.
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Dear Carrie, thank you so much for your thoughtful, lovely comments. ❤
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Thank you, Carol. I love how you segment this poem: the crescendo of the sound that barrels into town, the overarching thunder, sudden silence at the closing door, the awakening companions, the primeval forest:
“the importance of purpose, perspicacity, persistence, and patience” —
the primeval, the quiet: such that bird and dog may cheep and bark.
🙂
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Bill, thank you so much for your thoughtful comments! This was not an easy poem to finish. The first part seemed to write itself, but it seemed incomplete. I didn’t want to end with a deafening cacophony, I had to let it sit overnight.
A funny thing happened when I was reworking the phrase you cited above. A word I can’t remember ever using flashed through my mind – perspicacity. I wasn’t even sure how to spell it, but thanks to the magic of the internet, I found it and it turned out to be exactly the meaning I was looking for – “a penetrating discernment . . . —a clarity of vision or intellect which provides a deep understanding and insight” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perspicacity). It even fit with the poetic alliteration.
It is true, though, that I much prefer the sounds of the forest. But I’m here on the outskirts of a city and need to find reasons to be grateful for different kinds of beauty. My companions certainly do that and bring joy into my life.
Sending my best wishes to you. ❤
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What a wonderful word encounter: perspicacity meets serendipity. How rewarding to understand why it was so difficult to finish — it required just the right noun to act as catalyst 🙂 Worth the effort indeed 🙂
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❤ 🙂
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I felt refreshed reading your poem. I love mornings, and your poem is so vivid and evocative. Thank you for it!
By the way, I’d like to personally invite you to check out my random drawing for a totally free novel!
https://cafephilos.blog/2019/03/24/act-now-get-your-free-novel/
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Thank you so much for your lovely comments, Paul, and for the invitation to join the drawing for a free book. Although I love books, I have piles of “I know I’ll read this someday” books and little time to read anything at the moment other than research articles, textbooks, and student papers! I am grateful for your thoughtful suggestion and trust the most deserving people will win the prize. 🙂
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Fair enough! Just wanted to make sure you knew about it.
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Nice canvass for the first photo, the dog is clearly offering a metaphor of “I can do” I was listening to an interview between Mary Oliver and Krista Tippett, where Oliver opines leaving a northern abode adjacent to forest, and moving to Florida, in order to be with friends. Her comments centred on the present moment being important, so as you say, there’s a reason. 🙂
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Thank you for your always thoughtful, lovely comments, Paul. ❤
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You are very welcome Carol.
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Such a wonderful poet you are!
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Thank you so much for your kindness, Trace. ❤ The dawn was so lovely, I decided to take a photo through the front window with the only camera I have that works in minimal light – my iphone. The rising moon is not very clear. The photo needed something more, but short, so I tried writing a haiku. 🙂
I have to admit it's a hard thing to do! The flow of ideas and rhythm in this poem don't really work for me. It sounds a little like "Yoda speak." (https://lingojam.com/EnglishtoYoda)
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opps – I sometimes get confused trying to figure out which post comments belong to. I thought this was a comment on my attempt to write a haiku. 🙂
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Wonderful poem! Give Pinto a couple scratches from me. Bob
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Thank you for your kind words, Bob. I will let Pinto know you said hello. 🙂
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A lovely contrast between the sounds that you do hear and the yearning for the sounds you want to hear Carol, but an ending in hope.
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Thank you so much for sharing such thoughtful, lovely insights, Andrea. ❤
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A lovely heart-warming poem, Carol. And I love your little dog.
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Thank you so much for your kind and lovely comments, Izzy. ❤
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My pleasure, Carol. It’s so lovely to be connected with you, dear kindred spirit.
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Thank you for such kind words, Izzy. I feel deeply grateful for the connection as well. ❤
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Love the poem and the dog.
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Ah, such kind words, Georgina. Thank you. ❤
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🙂 Such beautiful words and dog.
The unconditional love we get from animals is amazing. I sometimes I have the luxury of waking up surrounded by four cats and sometimes a pug. It’s a nice way to start the day. 🙂
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I agree that our animals companions are such a gift in life. They do love us despite our flaws and touch our hearts. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. ❤
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