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
Labels: crocuses, global consciousness, hope, human nature, human spirit, life forces, love, nature, personal space, poetry, positive thinking, reconciliation, society, spirituality, spring