morningraces
apricot is the shot in the dark
of the light of the trees, heavy and hot is the sun
that big ball or blot, depends on how you see
soupy is the day that i dare rue
this morning i liken to launch, cannonball
through the
stew
far and few
foot strikes upon the earth
i delight in sounds of songbirds
molted melting melody that pleases the Lord
in tandem with
a high-strung
harmony
that sings in my grace-filled
bones
for the little wrens i deign to give wide berth
those wing’d ones who decide to chew
worms
in the crosshairs of a crosswalk
blinking angry
the red hand
that causes
pause
try i do to wave at each unassuming face encountered; the fast walkers, the construction workers, the beggar on the corner, the child in the basket. i don’t want them to think runners are mean. i notice the others like me—fists pumping, slicing through the atmosphere in a rhythm i’ve yet to fully understand. we’re both barreling through the salty sultry summer air, flying towards whatever designated finish line we’ve designed in our primal auto-pilot minds.
6 thoughts on "morningraces"
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flying towards whatever designated finish line we’ve designed in our primal auto-pilot minds.
There’s a great deal of information in this poem, all of it apt! I love your finish. “our primal auto-pilot minds.” Yes, yes, yes. This poem is “authentic,” it is you and your own experiences.
foot strikes upon the earth
i delight in sounds of songbirds
Wonderful sensory information. Thank you so much for sharing this poem.
Imaginatively articulated and sharply imaged. Flows with intimacy of place. I feel morningraces in this self-assured writing. Thank you for sharing
love: “apricot is the shot in the dark
of the light of the trees, heavy and hot is the sun
that big ball or blot, depends on how you see
soupy is the day that i dare rue
this morning i liken to launch, cannonball
through the
stew”
So much to love about this poem. The rhythm and melodic use of language is wonderful.
I agree–your language decisions and images are so stunning and drive the poem. I love “molted melting melody that pleases the Lord” and “apricot is the shot in the dark…”
Lovely poem, especially the flashes of rhyme like “stew/ far and few”… Yummy.