Notice of My Intent to Withdraw
Only the dirt knows
the heart weight of news
a horse hoof on a single egg.
It is a lie that you are missing out
on something everyone else
is doing, a great fabrication
that justifies all the churning
fetching forth, gaming gamely
in a zero sum ploy.
A blind hag once told me
only a cup and a half of grace
exists to bless the world.
Tender this notice that I
am anchoress of the back porch now
counter of ants and beetles
in retreat from exchanges
urgencies and agitations
a moment to moment poverty
of clammer and hush
of puny voices. As their chief,
I sink into stillness.
to walk toward nowhere
to drink without desire
to work for no gain
except this: that I know I am
faithless and callous
a handicraft of holy lack.
and this is news to celebrate
a retreat from all battles
to sit on the chaise in the sun.
10 thoughts on "Notice of My Intent to Withdraw"
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yes!!
Wonderful retirement poem with an almost Shakespearean diction. That old hag might be from from Macbeth. Beware her wisdom, of course, although this choice bit feels spot on.
Good call on the hag, Kevin. She was Southern Baptist, but close enough.
😏
I especially like “a handicraft of holy lack.” Well-crafted this piece. A pleasure to read.
Yes! This was my favorite line too!
Wonderful. And the title… well done.
Yes! The churning, a zero sum ploy- the hamster wheel! This is beautiful. And I’m insanely envious of your retirement. 😘
Killer beginning!
Only the dirt knows
the heart weight of news
a horse hoof on a single egg.
Yippee!