Goodbye to Old Year – “Taking Leaves”
Happy New Year all! I am posting this for dVerse Poets Pub “poetics” prompt about the reflection that comes at the end and beginning of a year. Ironically, Mark Kerstetter, the wonderful host of today’s prompt used a photograph of a leaf in his article. My poem, below, a sonnet of sorts (on I guess accepting the way things are), was also inspired by leaf shapes.
Taking Leaves
The lily pad is formed like a spoon of heart,
holly a pronged sleigh. Look out for three points–
my leg itches at the thought–there is no part
of me–not organ, not digits, not joints,
not susceptible to mind’s suggestion
(like a house plant that blossoms to Mozart
and cringes at a din). No. My question
is how to put the horse before the cart,
how to let the soul’s true shape unfold
outside the mold of to think and then to be;
that is, not to ask why, or wait to be told,
but to just accept pi (what rounds), gravity
(what makes for fall), and Death’s shade (from Day One),
while we earthgrown still will–must–seek out the sun.
Have a wonderful, thoughtful, safe, healthy, happy, New Year.
I myself realize that what I am hoping for most is kindness–to receive it, of course, but more, to give it–to overcome all those obstacles that sometimes come in the way of being as kind as I would like to be. (Agh.)
Explore posts in the same categories: poetry, UncategorizedTags: dVerse Poets Pub, Karin Gustafson, manicddaily, sonnet about acceptance, Taking Leaves
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
ManicDDaily 
December 31, 2011 at 4:09 pm
but to just accept pi (what rounds), gravity
(what makes for fall), and Death’s shade (from Day One),
while we earthgrown still will–must–seek out the sun…
especially love the last three lines..think i read them five times or so… have a wonderful start into 2012 k. – for me it’s only two hours away now..
December 31, 2011 at 4:23 pm
Wow–I just can’t think about another year yet somehow; I really haven’t lived this one yet. Still, here we are. Best to you Claudia, a truly generous poetic spirit.
December 31, 2011 at 4:31 pm
this is a great line –
like a house plant that blossoms to Mozart
and cringes at a din
December 31, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Good question: How to let the soul’s true shape unfold. Definitely something to ponder as one enters a new year, seeking the sun!
December 31, 2011 at 4:49 pm
The power of persuasion is a mighty thing… I’m itching, too. I hope for kindness in 2012, too… and peace.
http://lkkolp.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/these-final-days-of-2011/
December 31, 2011 at 4:53 pm
This is a neat sonnet, full of contrasts and sharp images. I like the way you’ve taken the profound and decorated it with all the transitory ephemera our frivolous minds like to concoct to distract and entertain, and brought them together in the final couplet. Happiest of New Years–and while I’m ready for it, I’m not sure I lived with all the kindness I should have in the last one either. Ah, well, here’s to brighter days ahead.
December 31, 2011 at 5:07 pm
“The lily pad is formed like a spoon of heart”
thats a great line. i like the feeling of hope and douvt mixed together in this, and the smooth sounds and rhythms… nice forward feeling. very well written, enjoyed this very much.
December 31, 2011 at 5:26 pm
Great lines in here. Really enjoyed reading it over and aloud. Kindness, for and from, very admirable wishes. Here’s to a happy new year to come. Thanks
December 31, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Thanks so much. Same back. Thanks! K.
December 31, 2011 at 5:52 pm
nice…really like that last bit on what we are to accept…nice progression through out as well…if i was smart enough i would describe it as hedge…smiles…i will just say i like it…and wish you a happy new year…
December 31, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Ha! That’s very clever. Thanks, you too. K.
January 1, 2012 at 4:11 am
What a lovely poem!
Happy New Year! And thanks for all your fun contributions to my 2011 Limerick-Offs!
Not surprisingly, the one I just posted has a New Year’s theme. Hope to see you there. 🙂
January 1, 2012 at 2:43 pm
“and Death’s shade (from Day One)”
Wow!
January 1, 2012 at 4:35 pm
Strong poetry, Karin. I like the use of parentheses to sort of encapsulate meaning. Rather than take you out of the context, they seem to plunge you into it.
January 1, 2012 at 5:42 pm
It’s really hard to see ourselves sometimes – the shape that we actually are and appear to others. The effort to be kinder is most admirable, imho. To what extent are we made and to what extent do we make ourselves? And how, by monitoring our thoughts and the intake of data (intentional or not) can we affect our mold? These are the worthy questions your poem seems to ask. I do believe that gifts of kindness will bring the same your way. All the best for 2012!
January 1, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Happy and healthy new year! Best wishes!
January 1, 2012 at 10:24 pm
happy new year.
love your art, keep those gem coming our way.
🙂
January 1, 2012 at 11:13 pm
I like the pacing of this, the rapper-like urgency that hits in the soul-unfold-mold-told section, contrasting with the problem preceding and the more contemplative resolution.