Back door ajar –
carpet slippers,
striped dressing gown,
he stands for a while.
Meditates.
Hands on hips –
appreciates the air.
Detects the nip,
a touch of springtime frost,
the imminence of sunrise.
Finger to the wind,
breathes in the hint of jasmine,
sweet mock-orange, philadelphus,
night-scented phlox.
Cups hand to ear.
Hears a blackbird’s danger call.
Suspects his Tabatha, prowling
in the flowerbeds.
Frowns – brow furrowed
like a crinkled cabbage leaf
as it shadows umber eyes.
Savours in his mind,
greeting morning –
bottom of the garden
in dappled dawn’s first light.
Watch him strolling back
as he picks his way
between the brambles
and the guilder roses.
Wonder how he knows,
as I wave, ‘Hello!’ from my window,
in response to a nod and a smile
that says, ‘Good day!’ And a flourish
of his white-tipped cane.
Comments
MistakenMagic | February 7, 2009 - 20:11
Oh, I can taste that morning now :) Loved;
'Finger to the wind,
breathes in the hint of jasmine,
sweet mock-orange, philadelphus,
night-scented phlox.'
and
'Watch him strolling back
as he picks his way
between the brambles
and the guilder roses.'
I'm experimenting a lot with the names of plants and such in my poetry at the moment so this is a good source of inspiration ;) Congratulations on your poem of the week as well!
Magic xxx
Nathan Bednarek | February 7, 2009 - 20:33
Lovely work as always dear Tina.
I'm sorry that I don't make more in-depth comments lately, but a lot is on my mind and I can only manage simple comments ;-p
Well done.
Nathan.
threeleafshamrock | February 8, 2009 - 10:37
I have a sudden urge to spring clean! Lovely work Tina. Reading this was like looking at a 'Constable' painting; beautiful!
Chris X
Bradene | February 8, 2009 - 12:54
Lovely piece of writing Tina very emotive and atmospheric. val x
Silver Spun Sand | February 10, 2009 - 16:20
Magic - as always it is a delight to read your comments and if I can be an inspiration to one so young and talented, I take it as a great compliment. Thank you:-)
Tina xxx
Silver Spun Sand | February 10, 2009 - 16:21
And it is always such a delight to read your comments, to dear Nathan, for the same reasons;-)
Hope your mind is a bit clearer now. Time sometimes helps.
Thank you, Nathan.
Tina x
Silver Spun Sand | February 10, 2009 - 16:23
Gosh! And I've inspired you to do some spring-cleaning. Well, that can't be bad, either.
Glad I painted a nice picture for you. I'm much better at painting with words than with a paintbrush, I can tell you!!
Thank you for your words.
Tina XX
Silver Spun Sand | February 10, 2009 - 16:24
Val, as always, I value your comments very much and appreciate your words. Thank you:-)
Tina xx