In the Same Way an Algebraic Equation Can
A morning walk can empty my brain.
I am walking my customary route,
past the oak tree, its acorns rolling
underfoot like marbled pebbles on
a Sussex beach.
Oh how I love delicate batter fried cod
and sharp stinging sea air in my lungs.
Holly berries, pressed into bursts of red,
and now a right turn toward the creek.
I see the nettles have returned to roots.
And when this lockdown is a history,
I shall brace myself on a bald chalk hill,
sea air salting my hair and filling my head.
The creek’s running high from overnight
rain, and I am bright as green this morning.
Spring-like in mid-November. To my relief,
she’s coming home from hospital today.
My lovely old aunt who is a seam
of myself. We are all destined to end,
and perhaps I shall know hers when
a soft gust of wind closes my door.
And now over the footbridge. My shoes
beat warm tones of wood underfoot.
Is there a word for that sound – that
mellow percussion of wood?
Memory can be exhausting.
And now
through the iron kissing gate, and into
the forest. A tickle of leaf mould in
damp air. Reds and golden ambers
for the doubters. A snap of a twig.
Again, it’s the wood. The woods.
What is the word for that sound?
dverse neighbourhood witness (I tried to keep to Peter’s prompt but the result was disappointing, so I went a bit off piste with it) © Misky 2020
16 responses to “dVerse Witness”
I love this poem. Such beautiful images, and poetically-framed questions:
‘Is there a word for that sound – that
mellow percussion of wood?’
‘And when this lockdown is a history,
I shall brace myself on a bald chalk hill,
sea air salting my hair and filling my head.’ – what a liberating thought!
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Thank you, Ingrid! I’m glad you enjoyed reading it.
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Interesting thoughts as you walk through the woods, Misky! Reminds me of special aunts…hope yours is doing well.
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Thanks, Lynn!
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This is beautifully poignant. ❤ ❤
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Thank you, Lucy!
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Just lovely (tears brimming). The internal dialogues, the precise descriptions – the internal and external melding and separating again – and all that’s left unsaid. Wonderful stuff – so glad you ‘went off piste’ for this.
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I’m so happy you enjoyed reading it. I was afraid you’d be miffed that I didn’t keep it tight on prompt. Thank you, Peter.
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Who am I to argue with the muse and where she takes us?
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I love how you weaved your walk with the memories… also I feel that this is what we have in common during the pandemic, spending the time walking around instead of having a goal than the journey itself.
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Precisely! The thought of setting goals is beyond my comprehension right now.
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Thank you for sharing your wonderful walk, and your personal thoughts. I really like what you did here Misky…:)
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Thanks, Rob.
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I so enjoyed the structure of the words, and the weaving of that internal dialogue with what’s happening in your morning walk. Memory can be exhausting. I love this description:
My lovely old aunt who is a seam
of myself
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Thanks, Grace.
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Glad to hear your aunt is home. Your poem is a beautiful blend of ‘the now’ and straying thoughts’. Wonderful work – as usual.
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