The Room

THE ROOM  

I’ve a wish
To spend my musings on little things    simple things
Little thoughts    each in its place
Little items about my room perfectly fixed
          (woods may be full of paper    bits of discard
          the footprints of children    abundant
          and their leavings)

          (a trash bin    tastelessly placed    blocks view of a great old tree)

          (the room’s a mess only as one fears an intruder
          phone need not be lifted    doorbell unanswered    sweet music)
                                                 BUT
There are cats in the room
Breathing pulse on a terrible    complex geometry
          warping table tops and bottoms    legs and arms
          interrupting lines and joints
          (how a cat will    perpetually lick itself clean    self    companion
                                                                  with filthy tongue) 
A fat black Persian’s asleep    (without eyes)    by the patio door
Then    a snow white cat    in folds a rumpled pink blanket    undulating on the floor
     And
A seal point
With restless    perfect beauty
With razor sharp flanks    as though clipped each day by elfin barber
After petting    she’s twitching around    growling
Astrut in leaps and bounds
The intrusion is precious    but    devastating

Day after day there is a poet watching himself compose
          mind standing off    looking at some stale image of mind
          neither hot nor cold    but    blowing

And I return and return
Sit down my hour to write each day
Watching the white cat on her pink blanket
How the light does play
          
...............................................................................................
This in answer to Carolyn Devonshire's challenge. I also just read a very fine poem about 
being obsessed with a room, by Andrea Dietrich. Thanks Carolyn for your faith in me. BIG 
LOVE, daver
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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A  Avatar
March 2, 2010 at 3:51 PM
WHAT A WONDEFUL SET UP ON YOUR POEM. I MOST ENJOYED READING THIS ONE...I HOPE WHO EVER YOU TAGGED CAN TOP YOURS...BEAUTIFUL.....
Mehta Avatar
March 1, 2010 at 7:57 PM
A fine descriptive poem
Foulk Avatar
February 26, 2010 at 2:28 PM
enjoyed reading this, it was different.
Kendrick Avatar
February 25, 2010 at 12:49 PM
Interesting thoughts that you have penned so descriptive that I can see the place when I peep around the garbage can. Sara
Richards Avatar
February 25, 2010 at 9:52 AM
Wow...! This one will be hard to top..Daver!! James just tagged me....oh you fellows are not easy to follow with your wonderful words of inspiration for writing terrific poetry!!
Dietrich Avatar
February 25, 2010 at 6:51 AM
ok, Daver !! soup mail!
Peranteau Avatar
February 25, 2010 at 6:46 AM
I accept your tag Mr. Austin...this write of yours has sent mine mind into the frenzy ! Your words insist that you are the poet Sir ! off i go james
Hickman Avatar
February 24, 2010 at 8:25 PM
a fabulously descriptive piece and beautiful picture painted in the lines ,,as well a flowing answer to anothers challenge,,,Blessings..Cecil
Devonshire Avatar
February 24, 2010 at 2:53 PM
Very, very well done, Daver, you "old codger." Now whom will you tag? You didn't say in the poem, so you might want to add it and let the poet know they've been tagged. Hugs, Carolyn
 Avatar
February 24, 2010 at 2:51 PM
Love the artistic presentation of this poem. Good use of imagery. You answered the challenge in style Daver. Now, who are you passing it on to. Keep up the good writing!! Karen
Gorelick Avatar
February 24, 2010 at 2:27 PM
You stepped up to the challenge in a big way...I like the format as well..kind of like looking around a room...BG
Dietrich Avatar
February 24, 2010 at 1:17 PM
HI, Daver, glad you liked my poem, although I think YOUR room is much more literal than mine! My room is the imposition of restrictions that formula poetry places on me. This room is a different realm for me. But I like it too. I love reading your random thoughts here and the visuals of the adorable cats!! Luv, Andrea ps great luck in the contest. I wonder if it's a contest I know of already!!
Hill Avatar
February 24, 2010 at 8:34 AM
well done....TAH
Culverhouse Avatar
February 24, 2010 at 7:19 AM
enjoyed reading
Pickett Avatar
February 24, 2010 at 7:19 AM
Good choice of words, excellent flow!!! Nice!!!!.....:JP]
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