The Calendar

Watch out.

In the black universe of my mind
(floating white)
the calendar is linear. January
at the top, going straight down
to the end. It isn't
circular. It doesn't
rotate. It's just
a line with a start and a
stop.

Through the lines I travel.
I gather life from the empty,
(Mondays and 'someday's)
I carry with me what I touch.
I steal colors, I swallow sounds,
I glide and slip on the surface
(polished and tipsy)
of the year.

It isn't pretty. There are no pictures
(floral arrangements with puppies or
lighthouses or Ansel Adams)
to distract from
the grid. Just floating
(black and white)
from top to bottom,
numbers and months in
Times New Roman.

And when each year
makes its final speech of
364 numbered white boxes
I take in my arms the
(green, laughter,
your words, my tears,
an abundance of shared tragedies)
baggage I have accumulated
and I climb back
(perspiring and irritated)
to the beginning.

Reviews

[Christopher 'Windstorm'..]

hmm this was a good read although it was a bit chaotic in its delivery, it all comes together in the end. if fact the last stanza was the most liked. i would tone down the ( ) a bit it takes away from your writing.

[Steven Williams]

This was such an interesting read and a unique topic as well. Calendars, I never looked at them in this way, such a great piece. Thank you for submitting it and sharing it with me.

~Stephen

[Steffi]

Such an interesting piece.
I thought you wrote it really well
The flow was really nice and consistant
Good Write

[[untitled]]

You, I think have some issues with calendars. I have never seen anyone write a poem insulting calendars. But I do understand your fustration. The calendar year is very repetative and never diffrent. It is fustrating to start from ther begining go to the end then have to start all over again. The same thing over and over again. I feel you on this one. you should right more things criticizing the way things are. A lot of my poems are based on that.

[fireblossom]

I sense a respect for e.e. cummings have you read him?

This is such a delightful writing. Easy and flowing and interesting and strange and different (thank you for the contrast). I am going to request to become your friend...I hope you accept.

I will read all of your writing eventually.

PS I live to the north of you in Washington State.

All the best.