i run on wheels
far and near
slaying deadlines
or i'm slayed
shadows sip my light
workload burrow
space for rest
s m e l l rainy moss
b r e a t h e deeply
rubies of s i l e n c e
each leaf, s u m
of r a i n d r o p s
i glimpse blue s k y,
russet s u n,
sated bees, t o o
f a t to f l y
Posted for the D'verse Poets Pub - Signs, hosted by Mish ~ Drop by when the pub doors open at 3pm EST. Photo by Pixiebay . Thanks for the visit ~
Wow--a wonderful poetic blossoming from a mundane sign. As a kid, we always said S.(state) T.(tax) O.(on) P.(puppies). I like your line /shadows sip my light/.
ReplyDeleteOh I love everything that comes after the stop sign... especially the sated bees... :-)
ReplyDeleteLove this, Grace! It reminds me of Leisure by W.H. Davies:
ReplyDeleteWhat is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
We all need stop signs to:
's m e l l rainy moss
b r e a t h e deeply
rubies of s i l e n c e'.
That's one of the reasons I get up so early every morning!
We all need a STOP sign every once in a while -- probably often!
ReplyDeleteLOVE these lines:
workload burrow
space for rest
And
sated bees
too fat to fly
The stop sign forces one to at least slow down and smell the rainy moss.
ReplyDeleteI like the bees...they have clearly been at the lavender. I accidentally paused at the traffic lights today...someone had to peep to remind me it was on green...I was lost in my own world.
ReplyDeleteSuch gorgeous imagery here, Grace!❤️ Especially love "rubies of silence" sigh.. beautifully executed!❤️
ReplyDeleteI like how you stop, slow down (with spaces) and notice sated bees!
ReplyDeleteWonderful, wonderful shift between the two stanzas that is so true to life. You remind me of what I'm trying to achieve at this point in my life.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those wonderful poems that needs to be heard out loud and enjoyed for it's sound and presence.
ReplyDeleteKiller final line!
ReplyDeleteA brilliant way to present your sign .. and I love those sated fat bees!
ReplyDeleteJust love "russet sun". Life is so demanding. The pause from the stop sign is like a breath of air....much needed. I really enjoyed the contrast in your poem, Grace.
ReplyDeleteI like how you show us how to stop in your title and second stanza.'Slaying deadlines or I'm slayed' states the dilemma so well.
ReplyDeleteVery imaginative (what happen when we stop)
ReplyDeleteOh Grace, we're almost on the same theme but yours is a true Beauty. Every word is breathing peace on this mundane world where: 'slaying deadlines / or i'm slayed' is the watchword.
ReplyDeleteThe meeting of deadlines and fatality, futility? Juxtaposed with the comparison of rubies of silence. Wonderful structure!
ReplyDeleteDeadlines can sure stink, but stop and take much in can sure save one from the brink.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous:
ReplyDelete"shadows sip my light"
"rubies of s i l e n c e
each leaf, s u m
of r a i n d r o p s"
Well done, Grace. Have a beautiful weekend!
ReplyDeleteElsie
I love your images. I mean "fat bees" are a pictorial poem to me. I can feel how very rushed you are and then you unwind and begin to relax. It's good!
ReplyDeleteThis piece bursts with life - a lovely reminder of what is there to take in, if we only just 'stop' and appreciate what is there, before us. Wonderful close!
ReplyDelete