My hands chase my cat awake
and out of my blankets.
I curl up in the grumpy warm space she leaves,
keep vigil with a volume of Akhmatova
over Monday's birth.
Cassandra - Thanks so much. :) I kind of got that idea from a Bella Akhmadulina poem about caffeine and staying up late. She writes: "I'll make do by catching the sunrise--/you lay sleeping--I was escorting it to you." I don't know, it feels like there's something a tiny bit sacred about being one of the first people in a new day.
I'm seconding Rachelskirts on the grumpy warm space. That's just fantastic.
Very fantastic.
(I also am wondering what kind of skirts Rachel wears or if she is skirting issues, or people. Love the name.)
As for your question, sweetly posed: I try not to steal faces. I get involved. I show that I have a camera with me. I ask with my eyes when I don't speak the language. When I am told no, I honor the no. This time I stood right in front of this marketplace woman, crouched down, raised my camera and lowered it before I snapped. She just kept watching me. I took it. She smiled.
Marketplace shots in El Salvador are something else altogether...
Curse you, and all your lovely poetry! ;)
ReplyDeleteHeh heh! I'll thank you even though that compliment came in a curse. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis was beautiful xx
ReplyDeleteDude. -blink blink-
ReplyDeleteI love this. I liked the phrasing of "grumpy warm space" and also the interesting metaphor of keeping watch "over Monday's birth." So good... :D
Hate This And I'll Love You - Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteCassandra - Thanks so much. :) I kind of got that idea from a Bella Akhmadulina poem about caffeine and staying up late. She writes: "I'll make do by catching the sunrise--/you lay sleeping--I was escorting it to you." I don't know, it feels like there's something a tiny bit sacred about being one of the first people in a new day.
This was the best poem to read first thing in the morning. :) I love it!
ReplyDeletethough i usually don't post poems on my blog, i do appeciate one, very nice.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI do love this.
ReplyDeleteShort and sweet.
ReplyDeletecuil, I'm so jealous of you. I really really wish I could write as well as you. This is amazing. Mindblowing. Stunning. WOW. Just wow.
ReplyDeleteooooooh, this is lovely! short and sweet. love the phrase "Monday's birth"
ReplyDeleteLoved this! The "grumpy warm space" line was particularly perfect. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm seconding Rachelskirts on the grumpy warm space. That's just fantastic.
ReplyDeleteVery fantastic.
(I also am wondering what kind of skirts Rachel wears or if she is skirting issues, or people. Love the name.)
As for your question, sweetly posed: I try not to steal faces. I get involved. I show that I have a camera with me. I ask with my eyes when I don't speak the language. When I am told no, I honor the no. This time I stood right in front of this marketplace woman, crouched down, raised my camera and lowered it before I snapped. She just kept watching me. I took it. She smiled.
Marketplace shots in El Salvador are something else altogether...
You know this is incredible, right? I love how you put such a mundane moment into such striking words. Beautiful imagery! :)
ReplyDeleteSo lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you all so very much. :)
ReplyDeleteyou're too god sometimes, bud :)
ReplyDeleteLovely.
ReplyDeleteI really love this.
ReplyDelete