April  24, 2021

 

A PIECE OF PAPER

A piece of paper

got splashed down on.

It self soaked

on the floor.

Overweight

with water.

In time it dried up

and blew away.

I never did read

what you wrote to me.

Sorry.

Do you give second chances?

 

 

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2021

 April 24,  2021

Thought for today

"Perhaps, after all, poetry ... is a particular  sort of ignorance.  And that is much harder to learn than knowing."

Jaan Karpinski, 

Through the Forest, 1996

April  23,  2021

THE   KEY

 
We lose our keys.

That happens from time to time.

But the key we’re looking for
is often the other’s key.

It’s the key to their questions.

What are they looking for?

What’s in their top drawer?

Once I get the key to their questions,
then, do I have the key to them?

Maybe ….

But maybe I simply have to ask them.

 

 

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2021

April 23,  2021

 

Thought for the Day

 

“’What does this line mean?’ is the most intelligent question you can ask of a poem.” 

 

Craig Raine,

cited in The Guardian,

August 23, 2003

April 22,  2021

 OASIS

 

Hot dry desert sand.
One hill the same as
the next one – and then
the other side of this one.
 
On and on. There better be
an oasis on the other side
of one of these hills of sand
or in the midst of all of this.
 
Water, shade, rest,
a tree, some fruit ….
There better be, but
what if there isn’t?

 

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2021

 April  22,  2021

 

Thought for Today

“A diamond is a piece of charcoal that handled stress  exceptionally well.”

 Unknown

 August  21, 2021

FORBIDDEN FRUIT

 
It’s on every tree,
in every relationship,
in every situation.
It’s forbidden fruit.
 
Take and eat.
Take a bite.
It won’t hurt.
It’s good.
 
I took it.
I did it.
I ate it.
Now what?
 
I found myself
outside the garden
working with sweat
on my brow.
 
I do this every time.
Why? Why? Why?
Of course, I do. That’s why
it’s called forbidden fruit.

 

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2021

April 21,  2021

 

Thought for the Day

 

“It is not marriage that fails; it is people that fail. All that marriage does is show people up.”

Harry Emerson Fosdick,

 Marriage

 April  20, 2021

SOUNDS

A door slams.
A sound is launched.
It slides across the room
in every direction.
It comes to a door.
It slides its way
to another door.
It goes down the stairs
into the middle of people.
“Listen! She’s up. She’s awake.
Why don’t you go upstairs
and welcome her home
to our hearts again?”

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2021

April 20,  2021

 

Thought for the Day

 

“Ah me! when shall I marry me?”  

Goldsmith, Song,

Intended for She

Stoops to Conquer

Picture: Tom Hussey

April  19, 2021

 TURNING  THE  PAGE

How do  I get to the end
of the book?  Read the page.
Turn the page. Eventually
you’ll see the words: “The End.”
 
How do I get to the other side
of the street?  Step out of the car.
Climb the curb. Walk. Walk.
Till you see your home.
 
How do I get to where I want
to get? KISS. Keep it simple,
stupid. Keep it simple. You’re never
too far from your front door.

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2021

April 19,  2021

Thought for the Day

 

 “If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would ever get done.”

April  18,  2021

 

WHILE GETTING A HAIRCUT …. 

Sometimes,
but not all the time,
my mind spends time,
while getting a haircut.
 
Recognizing ….
Navigating ….
Figuring ….
Self-focusing ….
 
Supporting ….
Arguing ….
Questioning ….
Solving ….
 
Deciding ….
Resolving ….
Planning ….
Definitely ….
 
Then walking out
with more than
my hair cut - 
till my next hair cut.

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2021

 

April 18,  2021

 

Thought for the Day

 

“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”

Carl Gustav Jung