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Saturday, March 26, 2011

Poetry month is almost here!

Slice of Life # 26 - March 26, 2011

I'm on spring break, poetry month is coming, and we might have a little snow. I’m wondering if even during spring break I’ll be able to do some gardening. It’s been a strange winter, hardly any moisture at all, and now, in the first weeks of spring, winter returns. I tell my students to write about the little things, and sometimes the big things, but about themselves personally. So here is a little thing really, considering the lives of so many in peril, but still…

Regret

I’ve already washed the shorts,

retrieved the summer shirts,

and now I must burrow back

to the farthest parts of the closet

where sweaters reside—

previously so satisfyingly warm,

now scratchy and heavy.

I reach high to pull out the boots

from the top shelf,

find the wool socks,

and go to shovel the sidewalk.

Spring promises such freedom;

no more minutes spent with layers.

I don’t have to warm the car.

I can touch the grass with my toes.

Is Spring always just around the corner?

Why won’t Winter go

and make a hasty exit

instead of lingering until

each snowflake has its dance?

9 comments:

  1. Love the poem...I like how you write that spring promises freedom from certain aspects of winter. I'm wishing for spring quickly as well.

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  2. I love this poem. It precisely encapsulates that feeling of impatience when the promise of spring is just a tease!

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  3. Your poem is awesome! I love the line about burrowing back into the closet. It made me realize just how excited I am at the prospect of breaking out the warm weather clothing and pushing all the wool blends out of sight!

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  4. We are eager for winter to leave too. The warmer weather can't get here soon enough.

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  5. "previously so satisfyingly warm,now scratchy and heavy"-- love that line. It all comes down to our perception, huh?

    Hope it warms up soon for you!

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  6. Ooh, not having to warm up the car! I want that! Your poem has so many wonderful lines!

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  7. Love this! Yes, SO many great lines. Just when you think spring has arrived . . . ugh. My favorite is your ending:
    "Why won’t Winter go
    and make a hasty exit
    instead of lingering until
    each snowflake has its dance?"

    I'm jotting this poem down in my writer's notebook! Thanks!
    Michelle

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  8. I'm getting inspired for poetry month now...April...I tried it last year, not that I feel like I can write poems like yours but I try...
    I'm with you... sun is good, I need warm.
    Bonnie

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  9. I love it!! I can feel your desire and longing for Spring to arrive. Great job!!

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