Phototropism
for Jude
Light gray sky between the leaves, a splash
of cream. For a moment, nothing moves. Caught
as a photograph, not live, it’s barren. I lie still
until a bird or weight of rain relieves
monotony. The world’s alive, so I can breathe.
I lust for the resiliency of grass, thin shoots
emerging, true to sun, from earth. Where in me
do I unbend, take up the quest that I won’t know
will end, sere fallen trails of pilgrimage
crushed, yet fragrant of the time of bounty?
Hunger for the brazen earth echoes through me
like a parting dream. I will spring into the rain,
bend to all that I encounter, lift my arms
into the possibilities of air. Not frozen, yet,
removed from influence and will, I rage.
10 thoughts on "Phototropism"
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Love that 2nd stanza!
Thanks! I read it later and felt like it was over-the-top and ‘purple.’ I do like the second stanza, though. It had the idea as it came to me.
I love this. Good poem, Rae!
Thanks, Dennis! Are you sure it isn’t overstated? I was worried about that.
the trick I’m trying to learn is to sit still long enough to ‘bend to all that I encounter”
I have enforced stillness: dialysis three times a week. I have learned to trim my drive to accomplish everything I can in my life. It has helped me to forgive myself for my imperfections–quite a challenge!
Very strong poetic work. I love the line, “lift my arms/into the possibilities of air.”
This poem does what poems should do, makes me sit back and take stock of my aspirations, limitations, and self-imposed impossibilities. Great work.
Thank you, Bobby! This poem is deeply rooted in me, and it feels healthy to get it out, even if it also seemed overblown to me!
wonderful. well crafted. ❤
Your lines at the poem’s center, really got me:
“…Where in me / do I unbend, take up the quest that I won’t know / will end…”