Thursday, March 01, 2012

Inside Looking Out


Across the pond something flaps like a huge bird trapped in winter branches, but it's plastic though why there in the cold bare trees far from any house. Perhaps it covers a stack of wood or a snow mobile, silent this nearly snow-less winter. The sienna field shimmers in a haze of white, as if swiped with a chalk pastel, creating a text no one can translate. Wind tears at the cedar beside the house. The branches bow and shiver, rap a haunting beat, frighten away the birds who sheltered there only yesterday.

The wind seeps through the walls of the house. The rooms are cold, but at four the sun adds a faint warmth to the woman who sits by the window and runs her fingers over the cat's forehead. The cat taps his paw on the woman's right hand, but she strokes with the left, holds her tea cup with the right, her spirit trapped in a cage of aging ribs that move up and down with her shallow breath.

20 comments:

Lynn Cohen said...

Wow, Suki, this is terrific!
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.

Lynn Cohen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chris said...

Lovely, precise description. Thank you.

Robin said...

I feel the cold draft, the weak glow from the Afternoon sun .....Bibitty's paw *demanding* "More Strokes, Mum"!

I hear the wind, see the trees bend... smell the fragrance of the tea.... you reached us, dear Suki.

Another gem to go into your Treasury of Poems!

Cold and rainy here...March is , indeed, starting off as a "Lion"!

Wish we were having tea together!

Love to you and Bibitty,please give him a kiss on his furry brow for me, ok?

♥ Robin ♥

Katiejane said...

It won't be cold much longer. My house is cold when the wind blows, too. Lovely prose. I feel your meaning.

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

I can relate to the Aging ribs of this..and we got winter back with a vengence here too. Great Poem.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

A haunting yet peaceful poem Suki. You have painted a beautiful picture with these words.

Mystic Meandering said...

"creating a text that no one can translate" - exquisite line...

I remember the loving taps of my cat, Yoda, wanting me to share...

And I understand the feeling of "my spirit trapped"... I love how you express our humanness. May our spirits feel that congruency of life, so that our authentic Selves can be free to express :)

Heart Hugs - Christine

studio lolo said...

Suki, every single word you write moves me.

This is wonderful. I feel everything you've written.

Xo
Lo

kj said...

suki....

/her spirit trapped in a cage of aging ribs/

all i can think is, it's time.

this poem evokes so much emotion for me. i want you to be warm. i want you to fly one more time.

love always, suki, my friend
kj

~Babs said...

I'm late, and all the previous comments are also mine.Just beautiful writing!

I've spent many of my afternoons in a sunny window also this winter,,it feels so good on the bones.
But I'll be surprised if we have much/any more cold. It was in the low 80's here today, with a wonderful breeze. I had to go out and dig in the dirt, and pile up some rocks. That felt good too.

PeaceGardenSu said...

Lonesome flapping plastic waif
and all the other images, too, are so pure. Now that you have shared this treasure of wintry words Breathe in , let it out... breathe on a spring bulb in your head
(the pineal bulb maybe) and watch the spirit flower blossom. Your poetry paints wisdom pictures, Suki!

Unknown said...

I can see the sienna and the text - you have such a gift for capturing the moment in time

layers said...

a very poetic lovely poetry written in prose form.. wow for sure.

ZenDotStudio said...

there is always this edgy feeling to your writing, the way real life is, the melancholy mixed with the tender, the longing accompanied by comfort. Tea and cats and the lonely landscape. jewel like.

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Written in the quiet winter light...beautiful Suki.
I've recently been 'out' in the world...cars, trucks rolling fast...hurry...rush...horns...cafe food eaten too fast...sights and sounds uninteresting at best...I'm so glad to be home sitting in my sunlight!

Lesley said...

Wow! Brrr...I held my breath from the cold, then Ahhh, I relaxed with the woman and the cat...so evocative!

annie said...

Suki,

You are a wonderful writer.
xoxo

soulbrush said...

OMG I love this- it is so real! Wow, more give me more.

BrittArnhild said...

Such beautiful words. Like a Monet painting.