Saving a Place

[CdnReader]

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Saving a Place

China and cutlery
are washed and put away,
and I've remembered to polish the fingerprints
off the stem of the solitary wineglass
before placing it amongst its mates.

A cup of jasmine tea accompanies me
into my corner nook.
I can barely make my way there
without tripping over one or another
of the untidy stacks of well-thumbed books
that fall to either side.
The Great Gatsby is spread-eagled
on the ottoman, opened to page 84,
where the story has reached a revealing
within the emptiness.

But the book does not call to me tonight.

Instead I succumb to the beauty
of the snowfall, the surrounding scent
of the forest, and the utterly dark silence of winter.
I let myself sink into the comfort of my teacup
and the satisfaction of my aloneness.
I am overtaken -- for now -- by the peaceful knowledge
that I do indeed belong
here.

I allow myself a single moment
of missing what isn't here,
running my fingers gently
over the back of the extra chair,
touching the place where you
might rest your arms,
and, in so doing,
I save a place
for you.

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cdn/26dec07
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[PrinceMyshkin]

Wonderful expression of thanksgiving, laced with just a bit of regret.

[ampoule]

Absolutely gor-gee-ous. I always wonder how you can write my thoughts.

[amanda_isabel]

beautiful. i especially liked the last stanza.

[CdnReader]

Thanks, PM and Amanda. :)

Ampoule, I'm glad you liked this one. I have to admit that it was at least partly inspired by your "Christmas Lights" thread, which says so many of the things that I feel. Maybe that makes us even? ;)

[mazHur]

pure nostalgia ? I like the last stanza,,,,,cute!


corner nook.
I liked this oxymoron,,,,,,:)

[motherhubbard]

This is my fantasy. I do love the life I have but I very often fanaticize about something with a little more solitude. I hope there is a soft blanket in your nook to cover your legs while you drink your tea and watch the snow fall. I think this was beautiful, absolutely beautiful. and with the kids out of school until next Wednesday I'm sure my mind will come back to your book nook several times over the next week.

[CdnReader]

Mazhur, thanks for your comments. I think it's more like "future" nostalgia? Is there such a thing? :)

Mother, it's funny you should say that. I tried to work in a line in stanza 4 about a big comfy afghan to pull around one's shoulders and tuck around one's feet, but it interfered with the flow of the words and I had to leave it out. And let me say that I do love my life too, but I frequently fantasize about something with a little LESS solitude. ;)