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The Duck's Suggestion

 For The Sunday Muse, #162:


Is diving the same as flight? Should I ask a duck?
When the moon wonders, leaving prints in the puddles,
I ask whether I follow her truly
with dry toes and feathers?

One swift peck and the sleeping duck quacks:

Follow the dark path that drains still, shallow;
pull hope's pinion and leave it beside her flight-print,
find form between swan, hawk and 
her bright, hazy darkness. 

And then leave me alone, restless beast.

I can't help it. Even you pick up lost coins.

***

This week's Muse entry is caught up in everything (or maybe casually assembled around other projects) relating to getting words out of each others' way. I visited a local author event this Saturday and was struck by how sad I was that this year I wasn't able to participate. And I realized how angry I was about the year that was. Slightly unstable rocket fuel to start wrapping up drafts and moving them toward book form (as witnessed by the mess of a poem above)--but I'm determined that next year I, too, will have an opportunity to smile awkwardly and explain that, yes, I think it's funny but humor is so individual...*shrug* and also that poetry is amazing wherever you happen to find it. :) 

Good writing, reading and adventuring,
Chrissa

Comments

  1. "One swift peck and the sleeping duck quacks" .... this might apply in any number of scenarios! I love it.

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  2. Lots of images here, but the last one is think is so stark, about picking up coins, We had all been lowered to the status where we are pleading for the next sunrise, like the beggars at the street corners and yes we want this pandemic darkness to go away

    Thanks for dropping by my blog today Chrissa

    Much💚love

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the moon wonderings and the questions this holds! I am glad you went to the author fair and also sad we could not be there as a group. 😭 Was Max there? Next year we will be there!!! Rain or shine or pandemic!! 💙

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  4. Yes, poetry is amazing wherever we are lucky enough to find it ~~ right here qualifies.

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  5. I will be glad when things start to feel normal again also.

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  6. I totally love the Zen Master duck thing. I want you to write a bunch of Sleeping Duck koans. The wisdom of somnolent waterfowl. You might have an entire religion and cult to launch here. We're sitting at your feet. OK, do it! Poke the duck! It quacked!!!! What did it say poet, lead us to truth and light!!! Wonderful write. (OK, sorry about my tangent, but you inspired me).

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  7. I love your poem, especially the stanza beginning "Follow the dark path...." Wonderful!

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  8. Fascinating perspective and unique insight into revelation. Vwey interesting write!

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  9. You are on target, Chrissa, one cannot not truly follow without "getting wet" along with your subject.
    ..

    ReplyDelete
  10. "When the moon wonders, leaving prints in the puddles" Love that line! Great poem

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