I search for myself
not
among the fallen leaves
black
bruised on rain-silted path
But
in stillness of afternoon sun
yellowing
the field, a river serene
sloped
to all echoes of passing birds
Here,
death is the smell of wood
here
earth is red nest, spaded deep with
fossils
Grant me my day
bending
to sip water from the sky
rocks
grass, sleeping trees, depths of
myself
Title inspired by Salvatore Quasimodo (in part):
Grant Me My Day
(Dammi il mio giorno)
Grant me my day;
so I might yet search myself
so I might yet search myself
for some dormant face of the years
that a hollow of water
returns in its transparency
and weep for love of myself.Posted for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Sunday's Mini-challenge: Salvatore Quasimodo and Poets United - Thanks for the visit ~
Beautiful photo and poem. I like your poem better, it has more hope.
ReplyDeleteDear Grace
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful and silent!
Love the photo too!
Hugs
JetteMajken
The eternal quest as who we are and why we are, what's our purpose?
ReplyDeleteWhat I love most is the surprises when reading your lines. How you unfold images upon images.. I have to say the 3rd stanza moved me most:
ReplyDeleteHere,
death is the smell of wood
here
earth is red nest, spaded deep with
fossils
A wonderful and very challenging prompt.
such a beautiful serene feel to this grace.
ReplyDeleteI like how you imbibe the spirit of Nature, that stillness, silence almost akin to death yet life giving & meditative....
ReplyDeleteHow very beautiful and uplifting this poem is.
ReplyDeleteI feel very refreshed after reading this poem, Grace.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the connection with the positive facets of nature, a place to find oneself. Happy Sunday, Grace!
ReplyDeletebecause you asked, it shall be. to be cognizant of this possibility is the first step toward gathering these colorful leaves from these wondrous trees embracing them that will fulfill your day.
ReplyDeletelovely words and pic, mi amiga
Grace-fully stated
The positive flow of nature sure isn't a bad path to be on
ReplyDeletebeautiful, like a mantra for every-day.
ReplyDeletegrass, sleeping trees,
ReplyDeletedepths of myself
It is not easy to find oneself. Pleading to another will not bring the desired outcome without a relationship. Great write Grace!
Hank
So beautiful, Grace. Those explorations we make to find who we truly are...so tenderly and thoughtfully expressed.
ReplyDeletethe stillness of a sunny autumn afternoon sounds like a good place to find oneself...sipping water from the sky... so refreshing...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful...the stillness is captivating, Grace... it offers a refreshing change of pace.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is especially beautiful, Grace. I particularly love bending to sip water from the sky.....and picturing earth as a "ed nest". Very lovely.
DeleteSounds like a cycle of life in the woods. Well written.
ReplyDeleteI love your second stanza esp, though it is all amazing.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful to see self not in what is used up but what is reused and incorporated and part of all living--on a calm day in a calm way as a joy and refreshment.
ReplyDeleteI can fully inhabit these meaningful and beautiful words.
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>
'death is the smell of wood' and drinking water from
ReplyDeletethe sky ~ comforting words for me, feels like we always have a home...
Grant me my day..a day to enjoy a bit of peace..doesn't seem like too much to ask. I hope you had a great weekend Grace.
ReplyDeleteGrace, this is lovely....looking to the depths of yourself....and that photograph is stunning.
ReplyDeletethat was an excellent read. the first two stanzas are still resonating while i type this comment
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Grace.
ReplyDeleteZQ
Grace a beautiful prayer for peace, for self, for solace...grant me my day...I feel this deeply and even more so as I focus on your picture....perfect visual.
ReplyDeleteDeath is not pretty, is it, Grace? You have told it very nicely and I am glad you opened it with the leaf, 'fallen leaves. black, (and) bruised.' This is a side we don't often see. We generally see, and write about, the graceful falling of the aged and reddened leaves. Or of a pile of them blowing, traveling along with the wind. Occasionally we hear of them being trampled now when they are laying there helpless and dying. It all makes me to more appreciate them while they are blessing the trees to which they belong.
ReplyDeleteThank you. We too will be that way someday, me sooner than you.
..
Peaceful scene you've created. You've described this day of admiring nature so well. I especially like "sip water from the sky rocks." In other words, drink from a stream that is reflecting the sky?
ReplyDeleteThis is so lovely and so reminiscent of what I've read of Quasimodo. Thank you again for the introduction!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI loved it...
ReplyDeleteHope matters
this is beautiful...some days we are content to be only in our own company.
ReplyDeleteTo me it is always deeply satisfying to read your poetry.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully serene, Grace. I really enjoyed this different voice from you.
ReplyDeleteThis has a quiet yet powerful resonance to it...wonderful job, Grace.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful !!
ReplyDeletebeautiful ~
ReplyDelete