Monday, December 04, 2006

More from the Heart

I hope my recent constant stream of poetry does not make for a disappointing read. I wrote this tonight in the Big Yellow writing group, inspired by the Rosie Angel that tops my Christmas tree, and because I'm feeling deeply these days.

What’s To Know

Rosie girl, tell me about heaven.
I expect you to greet me, you know,
Your soft stub of a tail wagging so effortlessly
that I will see you even in the back row,
and even in the faraway barley fields,
Your enthusiasm rocked by the flow
of something never lost,
Something never handed over.

Tell me what I should know about living
So I can get it right.
Tell me if abundance is real,
and if it is,
Tell me I can turn in my leash for a dance card
and stroll and roll through the back woods
knowing that every sacred scent is in place.

Tell me, Rosie, that it is enough to try.
Enough to care, enough to prepare,
Enough to get it right simply because
it’s all right.
I’m unable to know these things myself
but I trust you, Rosie. I know you know
what matters most
and what matters not at all.

Can you tell me about hearts?
Mine is pretty deep these days,
but still I wonder how far hearts can stretch
especially in the moments when they work overtime.
I wonder if perhaps a heart does not break
But maybe snaps instead,
a little fragment breaking off so it can rest somewhere in isolation
where certain memories and longings cannot be harmed.

Sometimes I wonder if I am up to the task
of letting every broken fragment finds its resting place--
Even if it means I can’t be whole.

Tell me Rosie, do I have to be whole,
if given the chance for love to stretch me
so far beyond my safe walls
that I forget I am confused and instead
feel only gratitude and greatness?

Rosie girl, I will spend my days
asking questions like this
and letting the answers and clues
Guide me home.
And Rosie girl, I will run straight to you
even before your ears shoot up
For our hearts’ reunion of a lifetime.

13 comments:

  1. Great poem - and i enjoyed being shown round your home and all your lovely lovely 'things'. What treasures.

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  2. KJ, Rosie must have been one special dog. These are the same questions I would like to ask and if you have answers, share them with me PLEASE...

    Anatomically, hearts stretch as they contract and expand with every beat.

    I know you are not asking for an anatomy lesson. I just want to make you laugh.

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  3. Okay ... now I'm crying on the keyboard and in my coffee! That is absolutely my favorite poem of yours.

    This line rocks:
    Your enthusiasm rocked by the flow
    of something never lost,
    Something never handed over.

    That poetry book is coming along right? ;)

    Thank you for sharing this one with us!

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  4. chief: what about your keepsakes? i'd love to see them

    ces: you always make me laugh. i'll share every answer i know with you, but you have to share back!

    melissa: why do i like that you are crying on your keyboard?!

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  5. I stare blankly at your blog for a few minutes as I digest your poem.
    I am just left utterly speechless. It is so beautiful, so deep, so touching.

    Wow, KJ my new favorite poet!

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  6. Your depth is divine,
    Your search sublime
    The words are warmth
    For this heart of mine.

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  7. lovely poem, kj! as a fellow animal lover, this one really warmed my heart! :)

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  8. your poetry is never a disappointing read. i love it.

    me

    PS:
    It's a good thing, though that i didn't read this at the time when I was just starting Pieces of M.E.

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  9. oh leo, thank you so sincerely.

    ww: please rhyme more

    ruby: we're both stretching...

    maria: thank you. i like hearing from you

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  10. kj, I read and read and in the stillness of the night, I hear you, I wish I could tell you what I think of this poem other than beautiful but I am at a loss for words.

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  11. thank you, ces. i have some idea of what you mean because i am also at a loss for words when i see your beautiful incredible paintings.

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  12. Wow! You are a real poet !
    Lovely poem!

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  13. I have always found the use of apostrophe very telling... often the answers the poet seeks are given in the questions. It's such a wonderful device for exploring ideas that seem either too strong or too weak to stand on their own. You did this so beautifully... I love the images...
    "Tell me I can turn in my leash for a dance card
    and stroll and roll through the back woods
    knowing that every sacred scent is in place"
    and
    "I wonder how far hearts can stretch
    especially in the moments when they work overtime."
    I love that so much of what you wrote is so resonant.

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