Sussing Out My Special Place

crowded, cornered —
   i suss out my special place.

tossing, turning,
   dendrites burning

the insides of my eyes.
   posit the tables

chairs, arrangement
   of girls and boys.

the chatter of calypso sticks,
   pages — like wings exhausting.

the glaring windows behind me,
in front of me, reflections

bursting at the seams.
   hardly a cool spot on

the woven carpet. crisscrossed
   late Spring legs, disconnected

eyes wandering.
lazy, cramped, braille-fingers

pulling at pacifier, gathering glue sticks,
   scattering cheerios

shaking them like confetti all around.
   anticipation, participation,

ultimate undulation of harmonious music.
   beautiful skin - small, smaller, smallest.

smile crescendo, even tears that grip
   the storytime rug, not prepared

to disembark the flooded ark.
   the lingering final moments

of the chosen eight
   ruddy faces, the chosen few,

apologetic —

   lost in their favorite time
with kith and kin.

   dramatic lighting, undulating of leafy green
and xanthous sun — i inhale

and exhale with oxyrhynchus-oxygen.
   all the whirling, twirling stars replenish
the universe. soul-lights in my night sky

behind my pillowed-eyes, sleep
   is peaceful.

a snowy-dove lands, satisfied
   by the lay of the land.

6/12/2019

oxyrhynchus hymn - invokes silence, a cosmic stillness

kith and kin - family and friends

Chosen eight - like those on Noah’s ark

dove - left Noah’s ark for good when it found land after the flood

soul-lights - the satisfied storytime kids
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Wolf Avatar
June 13, 2019 at 2:02 PM
Awesome poem, Kim. Awesome win! Warmest wishes, Gershon
Sathasivam Avatar
June 13, 2019 at 6:28 AM
Excellent and a wonderful write. All the best for your win. Thanks for sharing.
Rodrigues Avatar
June 13, 2019 at 6:39 AM
Thank you, Ravi!
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 7:50 PM
Awww this is beautiful Kim. I am so happy to be sharing First Place with you in this contest. I loved your entry. Congratulations my friend! : ) xxoo
Rodrigues Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 8:18 PM
Thank you, Connie!
Chiri Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 1:06 PM
Wow Kim a wonderful write! Congrats on your win!;)
Rodrigues Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 4:12 PM
Thanks, Brenda! Hugs!
Cunningham Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 12:23 PM
Sounds like enjoyable mayhem Kim, But isn't that what lifes all about mixing with others and having a good time. Tom
Rodrigues Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 4:12 PM
Yes it is! And isn’t that what we most remember!
Toney Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 12:02 PM
Kim, this is very lovely. I may be way off, but it has the `end of the school year' feel to it, the sadness of saying goodbye to the kids you've had for the entire year but also the satisfaction of having aided them in their life's journey. Love the Noah's Ark references. ~Mark
Rodrigues Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 12:12 PM
Thank you! Actually our library story time is such a success that the crowds are large. Though it is crazy, there is still satisfaction in the smiles it brings! :)
Michael Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 10:33 AM
You surely freed up here...burst of creativity on screen...Enjoyed it...
Rodrigues Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 11:43 AM
Thanks so much, Arturo!
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