Ode to a Bay Window
A seller's goodbye
For three years you poised, atilt,
On wet wood-rotted beams to frame
That strange fawn, big headphones on,
biking daily down my street,
Six fluffy baby muscovies
Trotting past the Jacaranda trees,
Ursula, the orb weaver, telling me
To take the scary leap.
Monarchs flying by to drink from
Pretty pink Jatropha stars, all those
Passing cars, one hundred thunder storms,
And once
A teen squirrel nearly kissed
A tall white crane, beyond your leftmost pane.
Carpenter ants made a snack
Of your belly and your limbs,
While basil, oregano, parsley, and mint
Licked the fingers of the Southern sun
From their places on your bench—
Barren, now,
But for some new white paint,
Though you must still enshrine
The goings-on
When no one's there to see?
We did learn that our buyers
Have a cat who'll soon watch
That humble slice of world
Beyond your curved refuge, the same one
You showed to me.
As a parting gift I've given you these
Reinforced plywood beams, so that
You won't collapse (in case he's fat),
Then maybe I'll stop by, tomorrow,
Lay the morning in your lap,
Share one last silent story.
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Comments (11)
I like the precaution you tool in case the cat's fat! This was such a wonderful ode!
Such a great piece! I definitely gonna return to it again (and again)
There's so much genius packed into this ode, Morgana! I have to say, though, that the notion of herbs licking the sun's fingers really had me tickled. Enjoyed this!!
You mastery of language is a joy to read. This is beyond beautiful and I will be surprised if it doesn't place in the challenge.
Beautiful work, Morgana! ❤️
So, yeah, this could easily be a winner, Morgana! Well bloody done with this beautiful ode that drew me right in. I found myself reliving and appreciating the memories you were describing because you have a real knack for doing that. And everything was not just superficial nonsense, it was all real emotion and memory-based - just stunning! I shouldn't have expected any less when I cliked on it, though!
I was hoping you would make an appearance. Felt this competition was made for you. Lovely work Morgana, nice way to spend my morning coffee.
I love that-- "lay the morning on your lap." Just gorgeous. Too many beautiful lines to choose from, Morgana, but I adore this poem. What an atmospheric ode you've created here. I can see the whole world from which you wrote this, the feelings of selling, the feelings about the buyers, imagining them in your spaces. Seeing the cat on the bay window is something I feel you're redeeming here by fixing it for him, despite a mixed bag of emotions. What a lovely, deceptively simple, take on the challenge, which I am here for! Great job. This was a joy to read once and then again. 💖
So elegant, wistful, and loaded with melancholy. Gorgeous words. The "silent story" is such a wonderful way to frame all that emotion and joy. Beautiful. ❤️
So wistful, the sorrow & reluctance of having to leave that which is comfortable & familiar, wanting to hold on just a little longer, so beautifully captured here, Morgana.
Holy shit! I have goosebumps from this, Morgana. Your words have had an actual physical effect on me. Wow! Just wow! This is so vivid, so tangible–the emotional attachment so palpable. I love each and every perfectly placed word! This is first place quality right here. Brava!