..
My hands are quiet birds
held at bay, softer songs
than those worth singing.
I count sheep, wishing
stars, dandelion kites,
a world of wrongs.
Erase them all. Press gifts
to heart, name them one
by one. Sometimes, they stay.
When they do not,
I begin again with the smallest numbers.
..
Written for Mary’s Poetics over at dVerse, inspired by the work of Naomi Shihab Nye. The last line is a line from her poem, Burning the Old Year. Be sure to click over and read the whole thing. It’s fantastic.
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This is so beautiful, De. When I can’t sleep (which is often) I like to press those gifts to heart, thank God and it works.
This is exquisite – from the first stanza to the last line borrowed… I think this math we need to learn.
I’m thinking of dandelions today too 🌾 I love the title and the whole thing
Opening verses are stellar De ~ And that last line is so very hopeful when things don’t stay ~ Love your share 🙂
This is beautifully haunting De ❤
Such a great sense of hope here, and renewal. Things that always come back. Nicely done.
Gorgeous and it starts with the title! Great stuff.
Exquisite, & yes haunting; insomnia is not our friend. These days I go upstairs to the office, & work on my photography or writing–then catch up with an afternoon nap.
You have depicted insomnia in a very sweet way. I wish I were so graceful when I experience one.
What a dear poem, De. It just seems to reflect you, alone with your quietness.
This is GORGEOUS! I especially love the opening stanza……wowzers!
Beautiful title and opening line.
Dandelion kites – a delightful phrase from a delightful poem I won’t forget.
Insomnia, I know thee well… but an expression of all the regrets and worries that we start to enumerate. Great use of the line. And an enchanting title, although it led me to expect a different poem.
What a wonderful description of counting your blessings!
Amen. Beautiful.
You have made numbers such beautiful things! Lovely!
Really lovely!
Read you earlier, didn’t get a chance to comment until now. Quite the De-lightful piece of brilliance. Your words dance and are so you! You are wonderful, Lady!
name them one by one …. makes me think of blessings. this poem is truly one
i for one
SinG iT
aLL
doWn..
after aLL
iT’s fREE..:)