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.
O at the Edges 
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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