Woodland Idyll

In my cabin in the woods

the door will always be open.

People will come and go 

chatting of poetry and art

- thoughts as green and flourishing

as the vegetables in my plot

seen through the kitchen window

or the herbs on the sill.  

 

The woods will not be wild

and no small creatures

will run in blind panic

or lose themselves

in drifts of snow. 

The morning will wake up smiling

to throw wide the window

letting  in leave-scented air.       

 

In my cabin in the woods

the day will hold the echoes

of last night's music

when the young Muslim smiled

at the gay man in the corner

whose head rested

touching his lover's shoulder,

their eyes sparkling in firelight.

 

Everyone will sing in tune. 

The season's will always be kind

no diggers will unearth the trees

or concrete spoil the view

- no young man will fall ill

nor anyone grow old

but simply fade when we choose

like an afternoon that draws to a close.

 

Reviews

[Sel Whiteley]

While it offers a different and more beautiful world, there is such a raw energy and sorrow to this poem. It is crammed with reflections on what is not perfect in the present state of the world and ensures that our mind focuses on a better utopia. I love how you use music to symbolise harmony, 'and everyone will sing in tune.' My favourite part was:

thoughts as green and flourishing
as the vegetables in my plot
seen through the kitchen window
or the herbs on the timber sill.

I feel a lump swell in my throat at this last bit. It as if you are thinking of the young men who are ill, and unable to choose when they fade.


The season's will always be kind
no diggers will unearth the trees
or concrete spoil the view
- no young man will fall ill
nor anyone grow old
but simply fade when we choose
like an afternoon that draws to a close.

I've never seen thoughts described as vegetables before there is something very humble about that, like most thoughts and dreams. I loved that. It reminded me of the elf land in Tolkien. If I were to make any nitpicking details it would be that I'd like to see a bit about who the young Muslim man is, and what he's doing. Maybe even I bit more on the gay couple but certainly, if we are to come to focus on them through him, it would be good to have a clearer picture of him.

A great piece. Thanks for sharing.

[Cdnsurfer]

That's simply beautiful. I loved this piece. Yes, how we all long for the perfect place where nothing but happy thoughts, music and love fill the cavities of our soul. What a wonderous place that would be -- when you build it, make sure you invite me up! Cheers! Rob