(For Avani, who writes soft poems)
The inside
of a soft poem
is the
face of a woman
holding, in
a practiced grip,
the handrail
by the open
door of a
local train
soothed by
the wind on her face
eyes closed,
as if asleep.
The inside
of a soft poem
is the
grip of anxiety
on a
co-passenger’s heart
worrying she
might fall.
When the
train halts
she
alights unaware of a
stranger
so relieved
as can only be
the inside of a soft poem.
Read Avani's "evening train"
Oh lovely!
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteThe idea of "inside of a soft poem" really created a very visceral body in my imagination. "The inside of a soft poem / is the grip of anxiety" especially stayed with me!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift, Dr. D. Thank you. This is such a gentle and generous poem. It's as though you were there with me.
ReplyDeleteyour poem was so evocative, this response practically wrote itself!
Delete