R.A.D. Stainforth contemplates the center...
I sidestroke through static;
every day a series of beginnings,
packed carefully into little bags.
I want to be caged in perverse calm;
a pretty knack, to find you
so easy and willing,
like the laughter of children,
in the still center.
tk/ August 2012
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| Under Windsor Bridge, 1912 Adolphe Valette |
Thanks for this poem Tess ... a pleasure to read ...
ReplyDeleteI'm very fortunate to have you read my poems, R.A.D. Thank you!
DeleteMaking you readers work a little. Well done. I like it a great deal.
ReplyDeleteI am one with The Carriage House...
ReplyDeleteJJRod'z
soft, and beautiful, Tess. love the closure.
ReplyDeleteevery day a series of beginnings,
ReplyDeletepacked carefully into little bags.
nice...actually those first two stanzas as just tight...and i love like hte laughter of children...
Caged in perverse calm... I also love the laughter of children.
ReplyDeleteWonderful poetry Tess.
"...a series of beginnings,
ReplyDeletepacked carefully into little bags." Very nice, Tess.
My favourite lines too Tess; actually you have just 'broken my dream' of last night. Now it all makes much more sense. That's what I was doing, packing a series of beginnings, so why was I so anxious about it? :)
ReplyDeleteI love this... especially the beginning. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLovely. I especially love the reading of "so easy and willing."
ReplyDeleteThat line was the way into this poem for me ... the key to the whole thing ...
DeleteI love the final lines; a beautiful note to end on.
ReplyDeleteTess- this is quite lovely- especially the last three lines
ReplyDelete"so easy and willing,
like the laughter of children,
in the still center."
Wonderful
caged in perverse calm is incredible
ReplyDeleteunder windsor bridge senryu
.. 'like the laughter of children in the still center' ~~ My wish ... that all children might experience this. Your poem is magic.
ReplyDeleteLove this as I go back to my own little eye of the hurricane next week. That would be Kindergarten.
ReplyDeleteThe structures in this impressionist art are so very expressive, and very much "like the laughter of children, so easy and willing"... a great interpretation of the prompt, Tess. Thank you for sharing. =D
ReplyDeletebeautiful i like the verse every day a series of beginnings,
ReplyDeletepacked carefully into little bags. make you realize everyday is a new beginning
The sidestroking through static describes so well what many of us down and all the small brown paper bags of the day. In my case, they usually hold tea. k.
ReplyDeleteHmmm.
ReplyDelete"Caged in perverse calm"..incredible phrase...what a path this takes...great!
ReplyDeleteIs that what the figure is leaning into, the still center? I like the idea quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteThe picture goes so well with the poem - - -
ReplyDeleteThis is bad-ass, Tess:
ReplyDelete"I want to be caged in perverse calm;
a pretty knack, to find you
so easy and willing"
I'm picturing you as a knick-knack on a shelf, so much hiding inside the glass. And also, you have a pretty knack for finding him. Maybe he is easy and willing, or maybe you are. Probably both. Either way, this is crazy sexy. I love the idea of their being an extreme version of calm that is twisted and perverse. And also the idea that you never know what is lurking behind a calm exterior.
A thought-provoking poem that reminds me what poetry is, how interesting and attention-grabbing it can be. Your poem makes me want to delete mine and try again. That is a compliment, love. You are fabulous.
It's so very satisfying when someone appreciates the words...the layers...thank you...
DeleteLove the idea of packing beginnings in little bags! Beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteSidestroke through static keeps you in the swim!
ReplyDeleteWow great lines..all fully packed...loved it....
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the concept of windblown and kept saying it must have been previous to this foggy stillness...
ReplyDeleteSuch a great poem...!!
ReplyDeletedregs
Just read the O.Henry quote below. I don't like raisins. Are crasins acceptable?
ReplyDeleteLike your take. Needed the poetic reminder of a still center.
Craisins will work..
DeleteAs an aeronautical radio operator, I "sidestroke through static" eight hours a day. Sometimes I dog paddle. Some days it's tough to keep my ears above water. Thanks for another dose of you, topped with a dollop of sweet, handsome R.A.D. - just what this day was needing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marcheline...yes, the best kind of dollop...
DeleteWOW this is superb!
ReplyDeletePerverse calm is an intriguing state. I think I can imagine it almost exactly.
ReplyDeleteWell done.
=)
A lovely piece...I find it most comforting to be abnormal.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletedelicate and telling.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it can be a road to discovery to savor moments of trying times. Great write Tess!
ReplyDeleteHank
"In the still center-" that is the best place to be. Very nice Tess.
ReplyDeleteLovely. Very seductive, I found this.
ReplyDeleteWonderful. The obvious gets lost in the fog and you give us a glimpse into something much deeper.
ReplyDelete"and if you listen very hard, the tune will come to you at last , when all are one and ne is all, yeah , to be a rock and bot to roooooolllllllll..."
ReplyDeleteEvery day IS a series of beginnings - and sometimes that's exhausting. Although I do love bags - maybe that makes the beginnings easier...
ReplyDeleteP.S. My dad is the epitome of perverse calm - which made my mother throw things at him when she was mad.
I love the layers of depth in your words. Love all the verses. Great job!
ReplyDeleteMine is here
Have you a ROCKING AND WEEK!!!
hugs
shakira
Scoopfuls of layers, deep and sensual...a fine read!
ReplyDelete"packed carefully into little bags..." - I like that!
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear readers, for all the lovely comments. I so appreciate your support. You're the best.
ReplyDeleteIntense poem with especial containers - bags, cage - keeping you and your hopes; with moments of soft calm (perverse though) after "blown with the wind".
ReplyDeleteThe two last lines resume your desire tenderly.
Hope you can find him!
:)