VAGUELY

The October ground was still warm enough

at six this morning so the cold front laid in

a fog thicker than yesterday’s when my road rose

above the blanket atop high ridges on my way to work.

Right now, everything further than the barbed wire

is a mere suspicion. I am alone in a small space

without the sharp edges in the right-angled

building where I trade time for food.

There are things on my route I will have to keep in mind,

the patches of gravel on a newly paved stretch,

some potholes at either end they somehow missed…

know where the deer cross, how many in the herd,

watch for suicidal rabbits and birds.

On a motorcycle, you can pay attention

to details, keep an eye out for the nineteen

motley horses in that field on the right.

This morning, most are against the fence

and plain to see

in their painted pants and white socks.

Some, heads down, who eat the juicy grass,

seem stone cold frozen, as they fade

into the ghost of near distance.

And so I wonder, if the universe is conscious,

then the universe is God, and the mental

matrix where we are neuron and synapse

in an entanglement of all things great and small,

hot and cold, ugly and beautiful, me and you.

Reviews

[Costa Siwale]

This piece is contemplative in a way that it creates an atmosphere that blends vivid natural images with deep philosophical elements. I've never been to the US nor experienced the atmosphere, but this took me right to what I'd imagine is a Texas town.
And then the undertone of fading away. Vaguely indeed.

[emmajoygreen]

Start to finish, a meandering time of day when a man and his motorcycle forgets a ton-up and take s his spirit on a spree of gentle noticing and blessing. Is beautiful, visual,

'On a motorcycle, you can pay attention
to details, keep an eye out for the nineteen
motley horses in that field on the right.
This morning, most are against the fence
and plain to see

in their painted pants and white socks.
Some, heads down, who eat the juicy grass,
seem stone cold frozen, as they fade
into the ghost of near distance.

And so I wonder, if the universe is conscious,
then the universe is God, and the mental
matrix where we are neuron and synapse
in an entanglement of all things great and small,
hot and cold, ugly and beautiful, me and you'

To He of the all around, eveything has its beauty and sigh, Is the grand opening and the golden finale and.. Mankind's gift.

[Vol]

EmmaJoy,
For twenty years in Tennessee, my main choice for transportation was a motorcycle. School was only seven miles away, as were most errands, so I have several cows worth of leather jackets, vests and chaps, a bunch of helmets, and other accessories (because I can't spell acoutremont). Several years ago, now, I sustained various unrelated injuries which kept me off my two wheels... And as of yesterday, am facking another back surgery. Sigh. I need to get these damn things going this week so I can get in the wind for a few weeks. The spinal stenosis is pretty severe, the Dr. says left untreated, I'd lose the ability to walk. The new surgical techniques will make this go-round less debilitating, and for a shorter period of time... TIME? I'm running out! How many more years will I even be able? As long as possible...
See ya later, mi'loveley...
Sing in beauty,
Vol

[emmajoygreen]

Why don't your friends who might, would and will send up a few prayers for you, Vol? It's worked before/ 'never hurts to think outside self if only by
a nod or whisper to who or whatever is the spirit that guides a comforting wish.

[Vol]

Sweetheart, The air is full of prayers for me by friends and family... I have no worries whatever... My surgery this time is done robotically in a procedure not not available when I had my first one... Smaller, less invasive incision, and much shorter recovery time...
Vol

[Lorry]

Well if it is xonscious it must have some sense of humour because news just in... Britain today was hotter than greece! And by Britain i mean that thing that also includes Scotland!
It threw me and no mistake. I had only come out the bath, wondering what was on fire because i could see weird shiny things through the window and just after i put on my thermals and oblogatory 4 layers, then i went outside and like a toddler was whipping off the clothes and letting myself go all alfresco! 😀
Then Katie asked what was up and i grabbed some of my bits and ran for cover!
Now im not saying Trumpet and the MUSKateer sold their souls to the devil, but i bet their egos were dented when Satan got his scales out and immediately gave them a week both to live before joining him for eternity in the bad fire!
The world is arse over tit and i half expect tomorrows headline to read. "World finds reset button under melted ice caps!"
Now, how tge hell do you make ice cubes again? Which is the first time a Scot has ever said that sentence!
😜

[Vol]

Lorry,
It happens here as well... It is often that it we colder here than in Anchorage... I just roll my eyes heavenward and ask "what did I do this time?"
Vol

[Lorry]

Its like Gods way of saying "naughty step, now!" 😀

[K. Louis]

The way the poem weaves together details of your route with bigger philosophical questions is really compelling. enjoyed.

[Vol]

K. Louis,
Thank you... I rode that route every working day for twenty years, and loved every inch of it...
Vol