The Ordinary

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by Kirsten Dierking

It's summer, so
the pink gingham shorts,
the red mower, the neat rows
of clean smelling grass
unspooling behind
the sweeping blades.

A dragonfly, black body
big as a finger, will not leave
the mower alone,
loving the sparkle
of scarlet metal,
seeing in even a rusting paint
the shade of a flower.

But I wave him off,
conscious he is
wasting his time,
conscious I am
filling my time
with such small details,
distracting colors,

like pink checks,
like this, then that,
like a dragonfly wing
in the sun reflecting
the color of opals,
like all the hours
we leave behind,
so ordinary,
but not unloved.

please note: pottery by Cathy Michelsen

Comments

  1. LydiaJune 12, 2009 at 2:51 AM

    This one was especially beautiful, and so striking the way you used the pottery as accent. Loved it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJune 12, 2009 at 4:10 AM

    Beautiful poem, love that you likened dragonfly wins to opals. Love the pottery too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. RudeeJune 12, 2009 at 9:58 AM

    There is something so comforting in the ordinary.

    ReplyDelete
  4. La FraméricaineJune 12, 2009 at 10:59 AM

    During my trip to the Land of the Luddites and since jetlagged state of return, I have missed the occasional post. Nevertheless, in a state of utter fatigue at 7pm last night, I seem to recall your having mentioned my blog, among others with a nod. Just wanted to say thank you while I was still conscious!

    Amitiés,

    ReplyDelete
  5. Erin DavisJune 12, 2009 at 5:34 PM

    Love this, especially the last few lines...

    ReplyDelete
  6. KathleenJune 12, 2009 at 6:57 PM

    Lovely, soothing, and I can smell the fresh-cut grass. Could you pass that glass of lemonade? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Deanna Bland Hiott PhD, MSN, RNJune 13, 2009 at 12:16 AM

    Wow, I absolutely love that! "So ordinary but not unloved." Perfect, volumes spoken in those few words... :)

    ReplyDelete

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Hey, thanks for your thoughts and your time:>)

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