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Attempting a calm rhythm I sweep the leaves.
Christian neighbours, happy in their simple life,
own a shrub that sheds leaves at the birth of November.
Orange, vermillion, scarlet, crimson
corrode the green heart.
They don’t know its name, glad just to enjoy it,
one of their god’s gifts
and an accident of property
I collect some of the finest
to photograph and print.
(Even prints decay.)
Eventually, it will be you sweeping the leaves.
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Author notes
"Calando" - diminuendo
A contest entry
- moves like red by Cat.
650 points, ended November 11, 2007, 19 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
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I just love the opening line here, it really sets up the poem, it's mood as well, its rhythem, 'attempting' is such an important word in that line, I feel. lol
"and an accident of property"
for some reason I imagine you sweeping up the leaves from their yard blown into yours..but enjoying them more..
Congrats on the HM
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i really like this slice of calm, reflective living- i like the small details the christian neighbors which paint an idea.. the photographs.. the sweep of leaves.. just a lovely write
m -
This is a pleasant surprise to find in the contest, I like this a lot. I'll have to read some more of your work....
Thanks for entering this
al -
this is pretty to read, colorful, and the attempts to maintain a "calm rhythm" in sweeping, and in life...a balance...it makes me think of everyday life and things some just fail to appreciate. eventually, it will be you... i like this final line, i like that you photograph some of the leaves and you note that even these prints too, will decay with time, seasons come and go, this is a very pretty poem about passing of time.
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