” I write to keep my feet on the ground. I write to keep myself sane.” Ada Limón, U.S. Poet Laureate. (From an interview with Kentucky Writers Roundtable.)
She rests
among
the late blooms
of spring.
Notepad and reading
glasses
adjusted absently.
Laughing at
time
and the early
of summer.
Her gloved hands
reaching
for wild seed.
It’s good to
gather before
flowering
heads fall.
In the fragile
litter of old
molded leaves.
This,
the last
crispy morning
carved from winter.
As she begins
writing, it starts
to rain.
I may overstate but this is a small masterpiece. The fact that it can be read contrapuntally (is that a word?) makes it even better. Plus, the fact that it can also be seen as a poem honoring Ada — perfection!
I love Ada and love this poem!
i love when poetry and songs travel through the season like this.
Coleman, this is fantastic from start to finish. The form grabbed my attention and I was hooked. “The last crisp morning carved from winter” reminded me of all these gorgeous mornings I’ve been wallowing in, thanking Mother Nature for blessing me with her breath before summer sets in.
as well as the movement from stanza to stanza, I love the introduction of the rain
I love the movement of the form here!
Dude, I just fell in love with you. That was the most perfect thing.
Love it. The quote from Ada sets it all up beautifully. Question: is it a contrapuntal, as Linda suggests? I can see it either way.
Actually, my understanding of contrapuntal includes a call and answer format. I think what Linda is referring to is a Tyehimba Jess reading we went to where he does a contrapuntal that can be read as either two poems side by side or as one poem.
P.s. a little secret …..it doesn’t quite work yet. When it’s done you will be able to read the stanzas in any sequence 🙂
Magical – like the liminal moments you write about.
This takes my breath away. You should send this to Ada. She would be so honored!