Addendum: Ways and Means
Posted by Douglas on April 02, 2002 at 13:22:59:

In Reply to: Ways and Means posted by Douglas on April 01, 2002 at 20:14:39:

Classmates:

What was I thinking, for there is little point in asking for input when the majority of you don’t have examples of the output — and
be reassured, there is nothing that follows that is longer than six lines. The last thing that I am asking you to do here is play
English Critic. The question that interests me is: “Do these lines capture an awareness of the moment, of the experience?”

Here goes nothing.

(the following would best be read if you formatted the following pages as centred)

As I was going to bed
I saw your four bobby pins
on the post.
I smiled.

..........

She said:
“The next woman that you love
must be the sort
who wouldn’t mind me
as an occasional lover.”

I have neither.

..........

I find myself
in the time
between selves.

..........

*
Blink
Snowflake in the eye
Impressionism.

..........

A sudden gust of wind
made
a dandelion field
explode.

..........

Sweeping it off.
Sweeping it off again.
Still snow on my sleeves.

..........

Crossing the school yard,
Just one perfect little cloud
Pouring on just me.

(Some things never change.)

..........

The stroke of midnight
And the dock is awhirl with
Snowflakes and Champagne.

..........

Muffled up in black,
Defined only in absence,
Angel in the snow.

..........

Another candle,
Another year blown out, still
A glimmer more light.

..........

Circling the glade,
drifting as a storm of petals —
daylight moths aloft.

..........

Here, in the twilight
of the year, falls the night wind,
snowflakes, and silence.

or

Here in the stillness
of snowflake upon snowflake,
I simply listen

..........

A night on the town
Cheesecake, coffee, and cheroots
Her, my old rival.

..........

Withdrawing again
And the air conditioner
Incessantly sings:

“Glory, Glory, Hallelujah
His Truth is marching on.”

..........

After all this time,
You were in my dreams last night,
Being quite yourself.

..........

Whirling down the beach;
Swirling and twirling the beach;
Eluding my grasp.

..........

The lighthouse beacon
catches the cigarette smoke.
A star stops and starts.

..........

One by one, the stars
are dissolving in purple
and frigid vodka.

..........

Thank you for you indulgence

Douglas

Follow Ups:

Continue with Winter 2002 Classroom Talk or
Post a new discussion in the current Classroom Talk

Archived 05/02/2002