Making sense

Anne Lamott, on writing ...

"We are a species that needs and wants to understand who we are. Sheep lice do not seem to share this longing, which is one reason why they write so little. But we do. We have so much we want to say and figure out.”

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Third time is a charm?

For some reason (why?why?why?) the poem I just posted won't post in its entirety. But it's a really good poem and I want to share it.
"No Tool or Rope or Pail"
~ Bob Arnold
It hardly mattered what time of year
We passed by their farmhouse,
They never waved,
This old farm couple
Usually bent over in the vegetable garden
Or walking the muddy dooryard
Between house and red-weathered barn.
They would look up, see who was passing,
Then look back down, ignorant to the event.
We would always wave nonetheless,
Before you dropped me off at work
Further up on the hill,
Toolbox rattling in the backseat,
And then again on the way home
Later in the day, the pale sunlight
High up in their pasture,
Our arms out the window,
Cooling ourselves.
And it was that one midsummer evening
We drove past and caught them sitting
Together on the front porch
At ease, chores done,
The tangle of cats and kittens
Cleaning themselves of fresh spilled milk
On the barn door ramp;
We drove by and they looked up --
The first time I've seen their
Hands free of any work,
No tool or rope or pail --
And they waved.

Fall leaves, coffee, iPod, and poetry ... bliss!

I am home today from subbing. Had a high school French assignment scheduled for today, but canceled last evening because I wanted to get some homekeeping and writing done today. I tell you: this subbing thing is where it's at for me. The flexibility is delightlful. Yesterday I stood in for an elementary resource teacher. Saw several kindergarteners and first graders. They are so cute I just want to hug them and sniff their hair.
But today, well, today is mine. I've got a big beautiful roast in the oven, the dishwasher loaded, a batch of laundry spinning. I've got a stunning view of shrubbery aflame in cranberry and crimson; I've got some Amy Winehouse streaming ("So I brought you downstairs with a Marlboro red ... you probably saw me laughing at all your jokes ... ."). Miss Millie, my gorgeous little cocker, is gnawing on her enormous rawhide. And here I am, at my laptop, a poetry book to my left, a caramel latte to my right.
My God this life is good.

My poem post for today, chosen in homage to my husband's farming backgroud:

"No Tool or Rope or Pail"
~ Bob Arnold

It hardly mattered what time of year
We passed by their farmhouse,
They never waved,
This old farm couple