Animate objects

Even filing cabinets have feelings,

so too the carpet trod carelessly

underfoot; the purse or wallet that

knows your PIN, but never tells.

It's why children talk to teddy bears,

and sticks picked up from forest floors

become Superhero ray guns; or magic 

wands that make wishes come true;

And why cars won't start on really 

cold mornings and mountains move 

with the times; how a house becomes
a home and pencils guide the poet's hand.   

But most of all, it's the knowing.

The sense that everything lives,

as early morning dew spotlights

the intricate weave of spider webs 

and fallen leaves come alive, to dance

in chorus line with the music of the wind.

It's matter, absorbing emotion, 

the impalpable motion of time 

as we ebb and flow like liquid 

in a different, parallel world.

Suspended in frozen belief; only 

becoming free, when once again,

Prometheus steals fire from 

the heavens, and this time, 

animates everything.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

oh Beccy...i had to smile when i read this....i certainly relate to what you have said here...
i have this crazy habit (and just keep this between you and me) of bumping into furniture and saying "excuse me"---
or dropping a utensil on the floor in the kitchen and saying "sorry"---
i guess i live in Tolkien's world where everything is alive....everything.
Such a clever piece.
j.

[Beccy]

You're not alone jacob. I have actually caught myself apologising to the contents of a kitchen cupboard, as I close the door and shut out what little light they were enjoying. :))

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Beccy... my favorite chair and pillow are my friends...
even the Book I read is speaking to me. You are so talented and
rearrange our thoughts in a gregarious sweet and endearing way. truly, Pat

[Paul Bell]

I suppose in essence everything is alive, and you're right, cars don't like cold weather. (Must admit, if someone had ever filmed me pleading with the car to start, then going mental when it didn't, it would be great viewing.) I think humans like talking to themselves, keeps us sane in an insane world. Don't you love it when you lose something, and the retort is always. '' Where did you lose it.''

[Neville]

y'know wot Beccy, I am smiling big here.. I once thought I was the only one that thought like this.. but it took you and a whole bunch of cafe poets to make me realise otherwise.. well penned friend :)

[gram linski]

loved this , the fluidity of verse , as we ebb and flow like liquid, there is an unbeatable spirit inherent in the carpet, Cosmos, that pull from the other world, it lives every where, great poem, Beccy

[Ralph Proenza (Docralph..]

The notion flows so smoothly through your words though it is in Blank Verse. I enjoyed the concept so much, Beccy.

[Crowley]

It’s wonderful when the emotional IQ of an individual is deep enough to include and feel for anything and everything, and so sad that there are people who can’t identify with another human or animal in the way they deserve. This is a very comforting line of thought. Loved every line.

[Lorry]

What do you mean kids? I talk to waddles, my beanie penguin all the time. He knows more of my secrets than i have forgotten 😀
You hit the nail on the head with kids though, its where the story begins and perhaps we unconsciously hold on to that childish part, but supress it for the most part for fear of looking foolish. I no longer worry over the obvious any more, and find it an excellent way of people moving out your way in a crowd. Talking loudly to an invisible hand puppet called Mr Hand works every time.
Great perspective here, showing that our thoughts also hold on to the echoes of our youth.
Now, if you'll excuse me, i need to go apologise to the bottom drawer of the filing cabinet that keeps sticking. 😀

[Chris Shaw]

Wonderfully creative Beccy. I share your thoughts. I have brass figurines in my hall on a shelf, musicians and ballet dancers. I group them together so they don't get lonely. I couldn't chuck out my old blue fleur de lys carpet without retaining a square. It was like an old friend and many had walked on its pile over the years who are no longer with us. I also give names to my cars :) This is a lovely composition and I very much enjoyed the read. Happy new year to you and your boy.

Chris

[Beccy]

And happy new year to you and yours Christine. I have a photograph of my mum in 1971, standing beside a little black Ford car. She had decorated it with flower transfers and named it 'Tilly.' I called my first car, which was a white Rover Metro, dad got for me, 'little oot,' because the hooter sounded like one of those cheap, paper party horns and might as well not have been fitted.

Some things never change. :))

[Chris Shaw]

Ah, great minds think alike Beccy:))

[h d e rushin]

the fourth stanza is Frost in the woods turning over every stone to teach himself the well deserved equilibrium of humility:

"But most of all, it's the knowing.
The sense that everything lives,
as early morning dew spotlights
the intricate weave of spider webs
and fallen leaves come alive, to dance
in chorus line with the music of the wind"

How wonderful is that?.....dana

[Beccy]

Thank you. Always a pleasure to hear from you. Looking forward to 2020 and much appreciated interaction at the cafe.

God bless.

Beccy.

[Lydia Shutter]

What a concept! The personification is wonderful. Everything has feelings....we have to remember this. Maybe the world would be a friendlier place if we all thought this way. Great poem, Beccy. Lydi**