With all your science can you tell how it is,

 and whence it is, that light comes into the soul?

       - Henry David Thoreau




Traveling Light

I had not intended to stay this long,

Not trusting my way back in the dark,

But I am held here by the setting sun

Slowly climbing the trunks of two oaks

So close and entwined they are one tree,

Their bark flickering and then flaming

Along the lower limbs where the leaves

Have not yet turned but the lingering

Light illumines them as though they were

Not the reflection but the source of it,

Now guttering in an earthy incense haze   

Until only the tips of the topmost branches,

Touching, reaching out to hold it, fold

Into the last light like hands in prayer.

And I think: There! That's how it happens.





Poetry by countryfog
Read 593 times
star mini Editors' choice
Written on 2011-09-15 at 16:59

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As much as anything, this ability (which you have in abundance) to see and feel and express, is what defines humanity. I'm not sure, then, what defines inhumanity.
2011-10-02


Jalaj Soni
Beautiful! :')
2011-09-24


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
"That's how it happens." Then, it's done. With the sun setting farther to the south, where I can see it, these days, I almost always stop what I'm doing to watch as it disappears. I can't say why. It just seems important.
2011-09-17



Exhilerating and inspiring.
2011-09-16


Editorial Team The PoetBay support member heart!
This text has been chosen to be featured on the front page of PoetBay. Thank you for posting it on our poetry web site.
2011-09-16


Nils Teodor The PoetBay support member heart!
Here you have painted beautiful light
with your words
and they sing in my heart
Thanks for sharing
N T
2011-09-15


Minhocao
I don't know if you meant to, but alliteration you wove through this is gorgeous.

I also really loved the symbolism; the trees, the sun, and the prayer. beautiful
2011-09-15