Finding beauty [poem: free bird]
I’ve been busy this week turning handwritten JulieBooks into less appealing, but easier to read and share, typed versions. I had lost track of how many pieces I’d written in the last year and a half and was surprised by the number of titles in the “poetry” folder on my laptop. But the fine-tuning, one of the hardest parts, is still to come. Thanks to everyone who’s shared their thoughts about the work I’ve posted so far. I promise to have a new work in progress for your review next week! If you want to join in and haven’t subscribed to the blog yet, just scroll to the bottom of the right-hand column.
In the meantime, I’m sitting in the shade of a lilac bush on a summer evening, sipping a mojito made with my first mint cutting of the season and recalling a California summer when I tried to teach a trio of Marines how to make mojitos and they tried to teach me how to repair an old Ford pickup. I think they learned their lesson better than I did mine. Even though I left unable to tell a crankshaft from a camshaft, the experience led to this piece:
free bird
Sometimes I feel I’ve failed
Lost my title of artist
of objective
Lost my ability to see
what sits under a mask
I feel I’ve failed
when I can’t see the beauty of
a few pieces of metal and rubber
stuck at a standstill
peeling in the sunlight
I don’t understand what is attractive
about seeing the pavement
through floorboards
I feel no need
to pull greasy parts from under the hood
or scuffle on my back behind a tire
I just want to move
smoothly and swiftly
curling up between your shoulder and the gear shift
cozy and close and free
—Julie Laing
Tracks
© 1999
Hear this poem here.
And I share your sentiment, Julie!! Sometimes, all I need is a walk by the river, a glide maybe…
Your poem felt so dreamy.. and yet so real!
Loved it!
LikeLike
I’m so happy you enjoyed the piece and the contrast of the dream and reality in it. Thanks!
LikeLike
http://thursdaypoetsrallypoetry.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/the-celebrate-poet-of-july-award-nominations-announcement/
the deadline to vote for July poets is Sunday,
thanks for the attention….
Happy Saturday!
u r nominated, thus u win one vote automatically,
when u vote for other poets, u will obtain another vote for yourself…
in case u want to add more….
🙂
LikeLike
sweet and raw, i love this 🙂
LikeLike
good job!! great imagination!! I enjoyed reading it
LikeLike
I can relate.
LikeLike
it is only after we believe we have failed to see, that the fog begins to lift.
very nice work.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Nice work, you write well. Tidy blog too. Will be back I’m sure. Thanks for the visit — I must get some more up! I have a lot waiting in the wings…
Warmest salad
Luke
LikeLike
Thanks, Luke. I look forward to seeing more of your work as well!
LikeLike
i like this one. good job.
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
i love this- and i cant tell you how many times i have thought such similar things. amazing piece
LikeLike
Thanks for reading–I think that, as a poet, one of the greatest compliments is to hear people identify with your work.
LikeLike
This was fun to read…like the attitude you have about such things. 😉
LikeLike
Lovely. We all find beauty in different things, and I think you captured that beautifully.
LikeLike
linked you in,
wishing your dream coming true: curling up between your shoulder and the gear shift,
cozy, and close, and free..
😉
LikeLike
Thanks! And thanks for your work bringing poets together–your rally seems to be the gathering I was looking for by launching a blog.
LikeLike
neat,
everyone loses sight at times,
you expressed your feelings validly!
🙂
LikeLike