This was one of my first posts, from just over a year ago. Thought I’d give it another whirl – it originally appeared in 1986, in SPSM&H, a publication devoted to sonnets. It’s interesting to look my writing from this period. Some pieces seem to have been written by a stranger, long ago and far, far away. This one somehow seems closer.
Apricot Wood
I built a frame of apricot
wood. This was for you. The clouds float
through it even as I sleep. You wrote
once of wild herbs gathered and brought
to a lovely girl, an offering not
of passion but of some remote
desire to hear a word from the throat
of the Lord Within Clouds. I thought
of this as I chiseled the wood.
Last night it rained. I listened to
it from my bed by the open
window, hoping that the clouds would
not leave. This morning two birds flew
by. It is raining again.
some really nice imagery here. lovely.
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Thank you, John.
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Simple and honest. Keep it so. Flamboyant does not make good poetry. As few words as possible.
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Agreed. When in doubt, go simple!
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It’s lovely! Thank you for sharing this piece once again.
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I’m so pleased you were able to read it. Thank you.
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Oh my gosh, this is so beautiful, I’m hushed. Just “apricot wood” alone resonates richly, romantically, spiritually.
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Thank you!
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I just love this–again.
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Beautiful poem! It has the spirit of the translations you do so well. I’ve been putting a book manuscript together. It includes work from years ago & very recent work. It’s interesting to see the changes in style & subject matter, but also the overarcing ethos that seems to hold it together. Thanks for sharing your work
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Thank you. I experimented a lot in those days, and it took a while for my true voice to emerge. But it is interesting to review the differences and similarities.
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Not a big fan of sonnets. This one is making me reexamine my feelings! Lovely in the extreme!
Happy Thanksgiving, Bob!
Ron
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You should read Willis Barnstone’s sonnets. They’ll change your mind! And thanks, Ron. Happy Thansgiving!
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The way its written is calm and observant both within and without. Seems a very Chinese style.
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I was reading Wang Wei at the time, and the tone was inspired by him.
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I love this one, Robert; delicate and reflective. I especially liked, ” The clouds float
through it even as I sleep.”
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Thank you. This poem was a turning point for me, although it took a few years to realize it.
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Lovely poem, Robert! I just followed.
Thanks for sharing,
Cynthia
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Thank you, Cynthia. I’m so pleased you liked it.
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Very calming. Thank you for visiting & reading ! 🙂
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You’re very welcome. And thank you for stopping by.
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My pleasure!!
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The poem beautifully and seamlessly weaves together love, domesticity, and nature. It’s also remarkably profound. I read it several times. It’s even worth memorizing. Thanks, by the way, for liking my last post.
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I’m humbled by your comments.Thank you.
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Love the mixture of present and past, and the rain, of course, the rain.
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Ah, the comings and goings! And I do so appreciate the rain.
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Sigh…lovely.
I appreciate that you visited LifeOfGeborgenheit.
Best wishes,
Rebecca
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Thank you, Rebecca.
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Hi!
I really liked Apricot Wood. Thanks for liking my recent posts at learningtocry.wordpress.com
Suzanne
Please leave a comment on my blog if you can. I am concerned I am not able to get comments some of the time.
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Thank you, Suzanne. I’m pleased to have found your work.
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A very fine piece Robert. Well worth resurrecting for new readers.
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Thank you, Frank. It’s one of a handful from those days that still holds up.
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This is beautiful!
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Thank you, Anita.
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