The fourth in a series of twelve poems written at a shuttered window. Originally published in the anthology Terra Firma.
Shutters IV
Only in their upper extremities
may we find primacy,
blue being dominant and interspersed
with clouds, a map folded to join distant reaches.
But borders share more than edges. Their
shapes denote subtlety, the material
strength of reason and the untouchable,
an unmeasured practice brought to bear, like
depth of passion, or the concept of containment.
Width is merely a symptom of device.
awesome poem! a map folded – the metaphor sent shivers up my spine! merci beaucoup ! ^^~~~~
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I’m so pleased you liked it!
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Today my 3 yr old came to me and said that she no longer wants to be brown, but, she would like to be be blue now. I asked her jokingly, ‘Why out of the blue you want to be blue?’
she answered, ’cause am from a purple planet.’ Moral of my anecdote: your poem brought back the simplicity of a child in the choice of words, yet profound, I like the concept and diversity…’But borders share more than edges’ Thank you! jjf
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Out of the mouths of babes! Thank you for your kind words.
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Thank you for sharing this elegantly written poem. The idea of borders can carry so many different meanings, leading us to states of wonder as we untangle them.
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I am drawn to edges, to borders, and what lies beyond them, just beyond sight.
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Thank you for visiting my site and introducing me to yours! Awesome words =)
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Thank you!
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Wow! I’m glad to have found your site. Thanks for hitting mine. I’ll need a while to digest your poems as it’s the middle of the night here.
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I hope my poems did not put you to sleep. But now that I think of it, there are times when that might be useful!
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robert…i am reminded of auden or maybe it was dylan who said that he only liked to read the poems he liked but in order to do that one must shift through the chaff to find the wheat!…i am not sure which i enjoy reading poetry or writing it but your work kindles my the fire in my quill…we poets either run together or alone as we speak in metaphors most readers do not understand…merci beaucoup mon frere ! …further up & further in…^^~~~~
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Keep the quill burning, fratello mio. And thank you.
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natuurlijk!
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Such a profound poem, with imagery that takes you on a delightful journey. My favourite part is “But borders share more than edges.” Thank you!
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Thank you for your kind comments. I seem to be drawn consistently to the edges of things.
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Lovley composition. Very well done. 🙂
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