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.

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

    ReplyDelete
  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!

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

    ReplyDelete
  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!

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

    ReplyDelete
  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

    ReplyDelete
  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

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

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting!