Waxing Poetic

In the middle of May, inspired by a book of poetry I stumbled upon, I committed myself to writing one poem a day for a month.  I told myself they couldn’t be depressing, wallowing poems, but instead, they needed to be somewhat based on the here-and-now.  Like many good things in my life, I started off with good intentions, but by day 22, I lost steam and gave up.  While cleaning today I came across the notebook of poems and was surprised to see a few that I actually didn’t loathe – so I figured I’d share them here.

May 28, 2011

Plop

A drop

Solidly placed

On the crown of my head.

A single drop

From miles high

Landing with a

Sniper’s precision.

God leaning over the earth

With an eye dropper

Held close to his nose

Peering down the shaft

With one eye closed-

Aiming-

A sly grin on His face-

Mischief-

Perfect alignment-

Impeccable timing-

And

Squeeze

The lone drop

Falls

Landing squarely on

Its target

Perched for a moment

Before rolling down my

Forehead.

May 30, 2011

Cold ceramic under foot

Hollow echoes

Lever pulled

Water flows

Lift the knob

Warm, hot, wet

On chest

Running down abs, thighs

Pooling at feet

Shiver

Running hands over back of arms

Wet muscle

Wet hair

Inhale – inflate

Exhale – float

For a moment

Here

I am present

In the shower

Wet and present

In the shower

Here

Just me

Just now

In the shower

Until I am/not

And everything else

Is.

June 2, 2011

Blackberry beeps –

It’s you –

I can tell.

Savoring dessert

I don’t open it immediately –

Pretend it’s not there –

Tracking the red flashing light

In my periphery.

Unconscious smile.

Butterflies.

Quick breath –

I like this moment best.

June 3, 2011

A simple phrase

A matter-of-fact statement

Of theory,

An observation wrapped in a concept

Draped with insight

Accented with a tasteful piece

Of confidence.

So basic.

So simple.

So truthful.

This is the aha –

This is the moment –

This is why I teach.

June 4, 2011

Whose stupid idea was

A poem a day?

What do you think

I am?

Willy-nilly producing art.

Flowery words

Creative metaphors

Unnecessary ornamentation –

A fool’s exercise.