Thursday, April 2, 2009

asleep

I'm having trouble beginning,
but I know the earth still
rotates:

I know the sun goes down,
sometimes wonder if it's "up."

I'm on the edge
of the atmosphere
hanging by kite
strings
attached to tree
limbs, flapping
in this dead wind.

I'm left in the clouds of
March, full of that heavy
heavy rain.

I squeeze it from my eyes,
the heaviness showing
in my eyelids.

7 comments:

christine said...

Hey, you're back! This poem sort of matches the title of your blog, don't you think? Lots of your trademark magical realism.

Ayesha said...

I love the second half of the poem (I'm left on the edge... WHAAAmbulance), and the last line is my absolute favourite!
But somehow, the first half (excluding the first verse- which is brill), just seems off to me. Especially the second verse (I know... "up"). There definitely needs to be something in that space, but maybe something else..

Jo said...

Well I absolutely disagree with Ayesha, sorry *grin*. The first half works so well for me, especially the third stanza, which is beautiful, as is the fourth. I like the inversion in the sixth, too. Anyway, good to see you, Holly.

Julie said...

Hi, Holly! I'm so glad you have a poem up. It's okay, though. We understand completely if you're busy. Life is a whirlwind sometimes! It's just good to see you whenever you can be here.

I love the beginning, and the verse about the kite flapping in the tree is perfect. It makes me sad, but at the same time, it's beautiful. I can relate to the heaviness, the loss. Very powerful.

Nathan said...

Hi Holly. I like this poem a lot. I like the way you capture a sense weariness and contrast that with other's expectations.

Beryl Singleton Bissell said...

I've been hanging up there in that tree with you . . . but only while reading this poem which reminds me that I was once there and am no longer. At least not today.

Great poem. My favorite stanza:
"I'm left in the clouds of/March, full of that heavy/heavy rain."

Misty said...

Holly, I haven't heard from you in awhile I hope you are great. Stopped by to read your new poems. I like this one the coffee shop is always great especially if you need a wake up call sometimes to sleep you look for a dream...