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