Cut from Paper by Rogan Brown
as music
each layer, a minute scale
of spikes & thorns
soft & bending to
her fingers, each delicate
strand, a white fire
curving into
her womb,
river, sun-
she is lost in this
other world
at night
by day,
she folds the news paper
its ink staining her gloves
she goes to work
measuring 7.5 hours into a cup
her fingers are fast
tip-tapping numbers
& each time she crosses a line,
circles a key point,
the paper scratching the heel
of her palm
is stiff &
cold
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - Hosted by Gabriella ~
Thanks for the visit ~
Ah, I do understand the 'call' of the paper--a different call at night than during the day. I like being 'lost in this other world at night.'
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely a contrast between the passion she gives way to at night and the coldness and stiffness of her working days. Obviously when the two are combined, life can be much more enjoyable.
ReplyDeletereally lovely!! Love the picture too!
ReplyDeleteThe artwork in the photo is astonishing. Love the poem, and the contrast between the paper of work ("measuring 7.5 hours into a cup") and the paper of her creative nighttime hours. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteThe working days can sure suck any passion and life away
ReplyDeleteWhat Sherry said. May we always here the calling no matter how many nhours are in our cups.
ReplyDeletehear and heed the calling! Hours!
DeleteWav, Grace. I love this poem.
ReplyDeleteThe into is wonderful: the paper calls to her
as music....
Hugs
JetteMajken
two different sorts of paper... and even though it's the same material - one is duty - one is art - that def. makes a big difference
ReplyDeletea weave of stiff, dull days and the call to passionate art at night... just above every artist can relate :)
ReplyDeleteoops. *just about
Deleteas a retiree, I must say that for all of you still working toward the apex of Me-time, duty will become pursuit of Art, if not Art itself. Paper has always called to me, whispering, "cover me with your words, big boy; smear them all over me."
ReplyDelete&, of course, when duty calls, I respond.
When calling - answer and never work again... ~ Nice word work with fingers&paper.
ReplyDeleteOh Grace, this poem is grace in motion as her fingers work the paper.
ReplyDeleteThe call of the paper, the smell of the ink...passion for it at night and during the day..routine. Getting by, passing the hours, doing what has to be done. But at night - oh the wonder of the love that goes into that paper, that irresistible call. Love, love, love this.
ReplyDeleteThere is wonderful imagery .. paper can be so evocative ...and the first 7 lines are just excellent
ReplyDeleteWOW, this is striking!
ReplyDeleteI can relate, Grace. One day, we can live to what our heart truly feels doing, and this 'other world' will gladly be spent not only at night. Smiles.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the 'Good luck' wish earlier. I have def. challenged myself hard doing the NPM project. Let's see how far can I go.
- ksm
There is a delicacy to these words that does more than justice to the beauty of the paper art....stunning!!
ReplyDeleteI like this. The different callings of her life, one at work all day, the other at night. The paper art is amazing.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of the sometimes 24 hour stints that my wife does running a press at a newspaper.. paper.. paper.. paper.. is her world then..:)
ReplyDeleteAnd print..:)
How well you linked paper with music ... the first stanza sets the flow ... brilliant.
ReplyDeleteoops, nice one there.
ReplyDeleteyour poem did great service to the art... lovely
ReplyDeleteI think I understand. A burdensome job with paper during the day, and a loving art relation with paper as a vocation. Great contrast.
ReplyDeletethe order of your two stanzas makes all the difference...if they were inverse, you would convey a mood of hope and joy...but in this order, the daytime makes it seem as if she is despairing...that paper has lost its joy. (I hope I'm not reading too much into this!)
ReplyDeleteah, that measure of time. brilliant conceit. ~
ReplyDeletePaper in the day time and the true use of paper at night. I understand that. One is working with paper and the other on paper. The latter is good the former pays the bills.
ReplyDeleteWhatever your passion is, you really won't be able to ignore the call. The paper and the pen, sometimes the laptop for me. :)
ReplyDelete