For National Poetry Month I was thinking about posting one of my old poems (normal length, not tweets). I procrastinated, busy with other projects, and now with just a few days left I sifted through poems, undecided, changing my mind until at the very end I found the beginning: the first poem I sold. It was published in the now-defunct literary magazine Cedar Rock in 1980 (I think). I was paid the princely sum of $2.
Alex
You sat in a straight-backed chair In a sleepless dream, Leaning slightly into the light From the window, Filling out a space, Taking in air— A solemn pine tree— Not even aware I was with you.
I knew You were standing With limbs outstretched, Needles whipstitching the clouds to the sky, In a cool forgotten forest somewhere, An incessantly babbling brook nearby.
Comments