The visible and the in-
by Marge Piercy
Some people move through your life
like the perfume of peonies, heavy
and sensual and lingering.
Some people move through your life
like the perfume of peonies, heavy
and sensual and lingering.
Some people move through your life
like the sweet musky scent of cosmos
so delicate if you sniff twice, it’s gone.
like the sweet musky scent of cosmos
so delicate if you sniff twice, it’s gone.
Some people occupy your life
like moving men who cart off
couches, pianos and break dishes.
like moving men who cart off
couches, pianos and break dishes.
Some people touch you so lightly you
are not sure it happened. Others leave
you flat with footprints on your chest.
are not sure it happened. Others leave
you flat with footprints on your chest.
Some are like those fall warblers
you can’t tell from each other even
though you search Petersen’s.
you can’t tell from each other even
though you search Petersen’s.
Some come down hard on you like
a striking falcon and the scars remain
and you are forever wary of the sky.
a striking falcon and the scars remain
and you are forever wary of the sky.
We all are waiting rooms at bus
stations where hundreds have passed
through unnoticed and others
have almost burned us
downstations where hundreds have passed
through unnoticed and others
and others have left us clean and new
and others have just moved in.
“The visible and the in-” from MADE IN DETROIT by Marge Piercy. Published by Alfred A. Knopf. Copyright © 2015 by Marge Piercy.
We all are waiting rooms at bus
stations where hundreds have passed
through unnoticed and others
have almost burned us downstations where hundreds have passed
through unnoticed and others
and others have left us clean and new
and others have just moved in.
The twin realities of retirement and COVID quarantine offer the opportunity of reflection. Much reflection is also occasioned by lurking in cemeteries. Frequent subject of those reflections are the people who have touched me, almost all for good and very, very few for ill. Often I've remarked about an interesting facet of old age is the opportunity to see how so many have lived their lives. There have been many surprises along the way.
Joanne "moved in" which made my life immeasurably better. That's why her departure, her death, was the cause of such profound grief. Two plus years since her death the presence of absence remains real but less intense.
Among others things for which I'm grateful today is the .5" of rain this morning. 😊
Takk for alt,
Al
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| My school in Thailand is now using the new building. |
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