Starting Over

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber 

A reader asks how on earth I can encourage our nurturing a positive thinking mindset in the face of so life-threatening a coronavirus emergency as much of the world continues to endure.

 

Well yes, life can be cruel and no writer can ignore that. At the same time is it not kinder and healthier (mentally and physically) to keep looking on the bright(er) side of life and staying cheerful than mulling over the worst and being sad, even scared?

 

A great fan of his Catcher in the Rye, I am reminded of J. D. Salinger’s words from Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction (A single volume featuring the two novellas.): “I don't suppose a writing man ever really gets rid of his old crocus-yellow neckties. Sooner or later, I think, they show up in his prose, and there isn't a hell of a lot he can do about it.” I would suggest much the same applies to poetry.

In the language of flowers, the white crocus symbolises purity, innocence and truth; the purple suggests, dignity, pride and success; the yellow, joy and cheerfulness.

 

STARTING OVER 

I wandered woodlands
in the throes of greeting spring,
reached a sunny glade
surrounded by budding trees
in feisty song,
urging I roll back wintry days
and heed clusters 
of colourful crocuses suggesting
I re-engage with you-me-us 

We had first met here,
two strangers with the same idea,
to embrace nature,
enjoy, the first chorus of spring
for an audience
of crocuses in white, purple, gold,
imaging such joys
as humans take in the pride and truth
of love in its first flush of youth 

My heart, as if awakened
from far too long and deep a sleep,
saw the error
of its ways, forgetting we’re two
as well as one,
togetherness no remit for sameness
in every way,
but the occasional agreeing-to-differ,
leaving space for manoeuvre 

As if on cue, you emerged
from behind a tree after watching me
for a good while....
a knowing smile calling a truce,
and we kissed,
the wood expressing its empathy
with our reunion, 
the eternal Spirit of Spring blessing us
in the light of a new beginning 

Copyright R. N. Taber 2021