Notes About The Poem

The Doldrums of March

The day is dull, almost 
shadowless. I am alone; shadow
would have given me comfort.

Pages of ancient tomes, 
full of must, call me;
there is always comfort here.

I light lamps
damning the florescent pall.
When bathed in the flicker 
florescent lit walls become
blue-tinged harbingers of death.

I worship beneath the 
shadow-casting gold of incandescence.
The 300-watt glow of my love-gifted 
torchiere soothes me.

I place thin-skinned cheek on 
chill of plaster wall, wishing to submerge
myself in shadow, but I do not succumb.

Ah, the page that calls, the keys which click
when pen has gone unfound, are all I have.

Why leave, my heart cries out, 
there is only the cold of the grave,
none to mourn your passing. 
Only the sterile page,
the plaster walls, the shadowed-stage?

No, I argue with my weary self, 
put aside this Keats-like gloom 
poverty and tombs, and rise!

The sun will shine at winter's end
to daffodils.


First Published Inwood Indiana February 2014
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Richards Avatar
March 1, 2015 at 7:48 PM
Oh wow......to be lost in the shadows of a dark day in March, so bleak it is, and so hard it is to come out. This is a wonderful poem that speaks to the heart of apathy..... but hopefully, the sun will break through ! Awesome writing !!
Peranteau Avatar
March 1, 2015 at 2:37 AM
Definately a ride Debbie ! I pictured a stifled soul in amongst old memorries still visable, lurching, disgusted with the long unsympathetic winter, pining for the new wake....Spring. I better stop ! Oh, and thank you for the new word, "pall" ! Have a beautiful weekend dear poet !.............much love, james
Meade Avatar
February 28, 2015 at 10:07 PM
Ah yes, I know this place . . . many long days I have wandered these waste lands . . . and the strange thing is . . . I sometimes crave these times when long are the days . . . A wonderful poem that touched my heart deeply . . . much love and light dear Debbie . . . I see the daffodils waving . . . 7
Nunez Avatar
February 28, 2015 at 9:49 PM
The image created in the mind is one of genteel surroundings, shadows and light, loneliness almost palpable. I feel you in this poem, Debbie, but I like best the ending ! 7 for me. Kim. PS. Thank you again for your blog on limerick. It helped me a lot. :D
Eaton Avatar
February 28, 2015 at 4:00 PM
Debbie such beautiful immagry. I love this. I too am wishing for winter to end. Janet
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