Cancer/writing Journal #102

  Down, Down.  Down to the Ground.


 That’s what happens, alright.

 Following a schedule of its own.

 Each flight, a pleasant flutter,

 except that it bespeaks

 bare trees and falling snow.


There is a sort of death as leaf leaves tree,

 its photosynthetic work done.

The final act, full of excitement and daring,

as the kite flier who jumps off the cliff,

Its destination, a dark moldering.


Nature’s composter as it converts to soil.

No need to be goosed by some store-bought enzyme.

It will come back to earth in its own good time.

There to continue its gentle organic cycle

in a kind of reincarnation.




Here is my most recent poem, submitted to my writer's group. Some discussion as to whether the guy jumping off the cliff might be a para-sailor although they may be over water. Someone thought that "a kind of reincarnation" was 'mealy mouthed'. It should be simply "reincarnation". Gee, I think that is wrong. Reincarnation is a different deal and for me to equate the organic cycle to reincarnation is a metaphorical stretch. I believe it to be at most, "a kind of reincarnation" and to call it that is more precise than to say it is "reincarnation." I think the woman is generally against those kinds of qualifiers and extends her objection to the occasions when the qualifier is properly used.


I realize that a recurring theme of my poetry is leaves on trees. Got me as to why that should be. I don't think leaves occupy an inordinant share of my thoughts. Write a few more and I could do a chapbook on leaves. Although I have no big aspirations for doing more with my poetry. I'd feel a little foolish, doing what would be a patent vanity project.







Comments

  1. Jan COctober 13, 2023 at 6:45 AM

    I like "a kind of reincarnation" which reflects "a sort of death" earlier in the poem. It's always good to get input on our creative work, but there comes a time to stand up for those phrases we believe in. It's ok to keep writing about the same subject if one is saying fresh things through it.

    A chapbook doesn't have to be a vanity project. It would be what you make it, no? Keep writing if it makes you happy/joyful, to the degree it does. Thanks for sharing, Charlie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. charlieschaeferOctober 15, 2023 at 5:02 AM

      Oh, Jan! You got to be careful what you say to me. I got a title and design features all worked out for a chapbook. But yes, on the larger point. Fresh and joyful. If that remains, better keep the ball rolling.

      Delete

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