3:07 am 8.2.2011

[tailor STATELY]

3:07 am 8.2.2011

Skunk is in the air as I call
for my delinquent cat
Evoking a happy youthful memory:
A canyon stream
where the skunk cabbage grows
A warm humid Summer's day
I'm 7, alone, searching for the
deserted tugboat in the wood
Then down, down through the
stinging nettles on a path well trodden
Now crossing the railroad tracks to Carkeek
A place of pebbled sands and salty waters,
solitude and discovery
I take off my shoes and hot-foot it
to water's edge laughing as
a panoply of ancient hidden geoducks
abruptly salute me with their jets of spray...
My cat jumps through the window
and I leap 50 years in an instant
strangely satisfied of where I am
and where I've been

8/2/2011 r.8/3/2011

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[Hawkman]

I love this poem tS. The only bits which jar are the extended details of: "N.W. 107th, Seattle" which perhaps doesn't require to be so specific, and

"A place of pebbled sands and salty waters
A place of solitude and discovery"

Where the repetition of "A place of" seems un-necessary. Try:

"A place of pebbled sands and salty waters,
solitude and discovery."

It's a wonderfully evocative piece.

Live and be well - H

[tailor STATELY]

@ Hawkman - Excellent suggestions. Will edit soon as possible.

[hillwalker]

Very evocative as Hawk says - not sure I would allow the mundanity of calling one's cat to intrude quite so blatantly on such a wonderful poem but consider it another fine work.

H

[everyadventure]

Is there anything more wonderful than being satisfied with where you are and where you've been? Nice one.

PS You aren't really 57, are you?! I always guess wrong!!

[Red-Headed]

Great poem, well written. I enjoyed it immensely.

[tailor STATELY]

Thank you hillwalker, everyadventure, and Red-Headed for your kind words.

The poem's inspiration was in part due to my diligence in calling for "Scooter" in the wee hours; triggered by the faint scent of skunk in the air as I lingered in the cool of an opened window waiting and woolgathering.

I thought the ending of the poem to be pertinent, at least for me, as I have been struggling with an ennui of late of where I am (in the greater scheme of things), and had received comfort - not only because my errant kitty came home, but receiving a knowledge that this is where I am meant to be at this time. Yes, a leap of 50 years in truth.

I will consider your suggestion hillwalker as I let the mint tea steep in my mind.

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[Twota]

I really love this journey and I love the last 3 lines the most. :D

[tailor STATELY]

Thank you Twota.

[ShadowsCool]

Ta,

Very descriptive yet easy to follow along. To me that means great.

Shadows

[tailor STATELY]

Thank you ShadowsCool for your praise.