If sidled up to a tiger
be sure to close your mind
while counting stripes with
alternating colour.
Teeth that gorge or claws
slicing you into shreds.
If vexed by a hurricane
be sure to board your windows
while considering which
way the wind is blowing.
Eyes that dump torrential rain
or lightning thrown like knives.
In a garden so many things
to speculate,
how a flower creases into itself
or leaves that fall away dead.
We have to deal with such intricate measures.
“Things do not change; we change.”
Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)
Red Wolf Journal Spring 2014, and a fresh start
10 years ago
Posts
Ah, yes... things do not change, we change. is that not the purpose?
ReplyDeleteOh, what an insightful piece Pam - " a flower that creases into itself"...just a lovely piece of wisdom....thank you..bkm
ReplyDeletePamela wonderful job with the prompt. I love Thoreau and I love your use of his words. "eyes that dump torrentail rain or lighting thrown like knives" is my favoirte verse. Thank you for sahring this piece.
ReplyDeleteAgreed - we change - sometimes without noticing.
ReplyDeleteYes, we do change. It's funny but my first thought after reading this poem was that I could see it as the frontispiece of a novel, rich in characters and setting, where, by the end, no one is as he or she was when it all started.
ReplyDeletePamela,
ReplyDeleteVery true words from your quotation.
Change is necessary with this life journey!
Best wishes, Eileen
Thank you for this beautiful piece, Pam. We do indeed have to change and I like how you put this together.
ReplyDeletePam, we always have to be prepared to deal with changes...many coming from within ourselves. Nice poem, Pam.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed, Kim.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barb.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, Ollie.
ReplyDeleteRJ, that is a bit like real life, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteAt most times, Eileen.
ReplyDeleteThanks Peggy:)
ReplyDeleteYou had to know you had me with the tiger and counting alternating stripes. Again, your imagery pulls one in and keeps them there. And the use of the quote to emphasize your process, was wise and right on!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Thoughtful and fascinating.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, all life is change...
ReplyDeleteThe imagery is amazing; I love how you found other ways to show us the same message. So, powerful and thought provoking! I loved it~
ReplyDeleteAwesome writing, Pamela. Just beautiful. Fantastic imagery.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully said, Pamela...a wealth of wisdom and beautiful imagery in your words! I am much taken by Lightverse's comment that this might be the frontpiece to a novel. It is definitely a piece that could lead one into greater delights...:)
ReplyDeleteLynette
http://imaginationlane.blogspot.com/2011/03/thursday-think-tank-homage-to-robb.html
So descriptive. Loved "Lightning thrown like knives".
ReplyDeleteI count them many times, Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteThanks Madeleine.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it though, trellissimo?
ReplyDeleteElla thanks:)
ReplyDeleteThanks my friend, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit, Lynette.
ReplyDeleteHi, Judy and thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love Thoreau too, thanks for the kind words, Robb.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary, sometimes we don't like it though.
ReplyDelete