Signs of Life
Ice cubes settle.
Wind moves a shutter.
The furnace thumps.
The fan hums.
The screen door expands.
The cats nibble kibble.
The magnolia scrapes the window.
My grateful ears accept the music
Of motion with gratitude rejecting
Solitary notions of dread that assail
This single dweller. The sounds wiggle
Comfort between my shoulder blades.
I fill crossword spaces while coffee
Mist drifts toward the empty chair.
K. Bruce Florence
(I do not know why my name is listed as N/A. I have asked that it be changed and maybe it will be later.)
10 thoughts on "Signs of Life"
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Whatever the name or N/A has little to do with this poem about a single dweller’s daily life. Without being sentimental, you capture images and feelings that work.
Yhe name is now changed. K. Bruce Florence. Funny how powerful our response to our name even one as wanky as mine. I appreciate your words–sentiment is a deadly sin when dealing with tender subjects life grief so glad I didn’t muddle about.
K. Bruce
You capture the comfort of sound. I never thought about that before.
Wow, you made my day. I also never knew that little sounds placed us where we want to be.
That discovery has been one I found on my new path.
Bruce
What fun to be back with you in LexPoMo! This poem resonates, particularly the second stanza, and “sounds wiggle comfort” is delightful.
High praise from one who can spot a fake
a mile off. So good to be with you.
Bruce
Hi Mary, your words are High praise from one who can spot a fake a mile off. So good to be with you.
Bruce
Sounds wiggle comfort between my shoulder blades – wonderful line, Bruce! And I love the last two lines – the mention of the empty chair speaks volumes! Excellent poem!
Bruce,
So many sounds that pulled me to your place, so many descriptions that let me see inside your world. I, with envy, sit and ponder how greener the grass is on your side of the fence.
And I have often returned that thought about you. Your easy laughter, your warmth and intensity–the wry vision of the world you write about so well. thank you for the kind words.