Before the concrete

The sun below the hills:

The valley sinks
in shady respite
from the parching heat.
Among the reeds
a lone bird pours
a stream of song
forever.

I lie back on the grass
and look up at the sky -
infinitely blue.

A moment pauses.
The world stands still.

Author notes

I grew up on a farm in Africa and sometimes, at the end of the day, I used to lie down on the grass under the bamboos by the stream and watch the weaver birds building their nests.

It has all been buried under a four lane toll road now.
Written December 28th, 2005

In a list

Natural World • next in list

A contest entry

childhood memory by Cat. 350 points, ended January 4, 2006, 7 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest

What did you think

Comments

1 - 7 of 7

By me, right now

Adding your comment:
panegyric ink
November 25, 2006
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thisisawellwrittenwrite!
Bravo and Booraka!
Cat
January 4, 2006
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the simplicity of this piece is what makes it exquisite-

m

(sorry just traveling through these one more time while judging)
Cat
January 3, 2006
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i lived these moments as a child in the meadow behind my house- the world stops for a child- on a hilltop- beneath blue sky and clouds of many shapes.

thank you so much for joining our contest.

m
December 30, 2005
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fantastic. Sometimes, most of the time the title is just a name but not in this case. Very clever and well thought out and oh so true. x
Harlequin
December 28, 2005
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Another excellent poem, again filled with your unique imagery.
Progress?....Jeff
zara
December 28, 2005
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Forever . . . ironic, isn't it?

Brilliant, the hills sinking in respite. Lovely meditation, great images.

Your title is the most brilliant touch of all, and makes unnecessary the comment about the toll road.
chills
December 28, 2005
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In the name of human progress...... Wouldn't it be nice to slow everything back down?