"At my age . . . what is there left to

 confront but the great simplicities?"

       -  Stanley Kunitz




January Despond

It seems a simple thing to say

One's longing now for simplicity,

And would take one's life there

If only it would reveal itself.

 

For the longest time I thought

It was in the light on the water,

Or that other light in the leaves,

But there are no leaves left now

 

Above this tin-gray sky, dull as

The roof of an abandoned barn;

And the unmoving water is dark,

Only a shallow shadow of itself.

 

Or I've heard the high hawk's cry

Ringing clear as a bell's one note

Calling to me of "here" and "there,"

Rising beyond where I can follow.

 

I have grown old and come so far

But neither yet far enough to see

There is no shadow without light,

Or hear the echoes of the hawk.





Poetry by countryfog
Read 579 times
Written on 2012-01-18 at 17:14

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Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
After having read so many of your poems, I would have said that you have found simplicity, Fog. You seem very well attuned to the natural world around you. So, it would seem that simplicity is yours. Peace of mind is another matter.
2012-01-23



There is an ethereal quality to this poem, I suppose it's the images, ghostly and prescient. I happen to think finding the simplicities is what it's all about, always has been. And old age is the time do it, but there is nothing simple about old age, it's tough. But there are those moments when it all comes together, whether it's a moment in nature or at a symphony or baseball game or a walk in the park or sitting alone watching tv or having a good dream. I kind of live for those moments. Always have.

The thing about regional poets, of which you are one, is that they speak locally and universally, which is the appeal (like those crows with the Missouri accent, I suppose).

I wonder about simplicity revealing itself. That implies it's always there if only we could see it. I wonder if that isn't too passive, that finding it is work, intentional. I think it is always out there, but life is usually to complicated to appreciate it. Gotta make the time. It's an old notion—stop and smell the roses.

Thanks for this poem.
2012-01-19


Brian Oarr
"Simply" wonderful. It's a funny thing about aging ... I always figured that folks our age had wisdom as compensation. Boy were we sold a bill of goods, eh?

And yet, perhaps there was some wisdom to be found in thsi simple piece. :-)

Brian
2012-01-19


Rob Graber
Very pensive. Simplification is indeed easier to desire than to achieve. And what is it, anyway? "If only it would reveal itself."
2012-01-18