Jump to content
Poetry Magnum Opus

Tinker

Recommended Posts

The Sky is Low, the Clouds are Mean

The Sky is low -- the Clouds are mean.
A Travelling Flake of Snow
Across a Barn or through a Rut
Debates if it will go --

A Narrow Wind complains all Day
How some one treated him
Nature, like Us is sometimes caught
Without her Diadem.
                    ~~Emily Dickinson

Commentary: I guess I am on an Emily kick. This Dickinson poem is written in Common Measure which she often uses. Her poem so fits my day.

Enough

A damp, dirty-dishrag sky
clings to me, infusing
my skin with a subtle chill.

The anxious flutter in my chest
has not gone away
from my screwed up blood test
and I'll have to do it again.

Phones ring with someone's pain,
I respond with a hopeful,
compassionate voice
while their agony pulls me in.

I look for a poem to share
and Emily speaks my day.
Sometimes, that's enough.
              ~~Judi Van Gorder

~~ © ~~ Poems by Judi Van Gorder ~~

For permission to use this work you can write to Tinker1111@icloud.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why kick Emily?

Just teasing. I like it. Loved the personification, and USING the word diadem? 5 easy extra credit points.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I didn't know you were an Emily Dickinson fan, Judi. I've barely read her at all, and I do have a biography I haven't read either. Maybe I'll check it out. I find her reclusiveness intriguing. She lived very close to one of my favorite poets of that era, Tuckerman, though it's not believed that they ever met. Strange.

The title works in two ways. First, there's the obvious meaning that shows up in the last line. But to me, it also means enough, as in having had enough of everything.

The first verse is especially powerful with the way it builds up to the second by delivering an almost literal cold dishrag against the skin sense of reality. I do think your first line is better than Dickinson's.

Tony

 

Here is a link to an index of my works on this site: tonyv's Member Archive topic

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Tony,  Oh I don't know "mean clouds" what can be better than that?     I love Emily who wrote only for herself, her poetry was only published after her death.  I wonder if she had had the internet if she would have put her work out there.  I think she would find a quiet community and share.   

~~Judi

~~ © ~~ Poems by Judi Van Gorder ~~

For permission to use this work you can write to Tinker1111@icloud.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 months later...

A belated thank you Barry,  I somehow missed your comment back when it was posted.

Tsunami, Welcome to PMO.  Thank you for digging this one out and reading.  I appreciate your comment.

~~Tink

 

~~ © ~~ Poems by Judi Van Gorder ~~

For permission to use this work you can write to Tinker1111@icloud.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Guidelines.