Dusk's Promised Land

The air around me hums

in the fullness of spring’s promise.

Blooms widen their petals

in the oft chance

of luring a group

of party crashing bees

already sweet

and dancing the drunkenness

of pollen’s heavy luster.

 

And I wait.

 

The boon of dinners around me

on simmer,

syrupy skies

holding their stillness

a breath

in abatement

as children retreat

from imagined kingdoms,

forts made of sheets

to cleave to the table

for a bright instant

while gulping down food,

crowns and swords set aside

within easy grasp,

awaiting the night-time

joust toward bed.

 

And I wait.

 

An old woman

sighs heavily

as America’s Favorite Game Show

comes on the air

her life: a wheel, a guess,

and a laugh track,

refining her space

confining her heart.

As she drowses,

the bonus round passes her by.

 

I wait

and I turn.

copyright/all rights reserved Audrey Howitt 2012

Reviews

[FJ Davis]

Some of us have been waiting longer than others.
And, from what I can see, yours has been a very active waiting.
Brilliant work, Audrey!

[Sami Khalil]

as children retreat
from imagined kingdoms...
Very nice...

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you!

[Sami Khalil]

You are quite welcome...

[J. J. Nightingale]

A kaleidoscope of life before your eyes .. and you take note so very well .. and truly see the times of life ...

Good one .. Jazz

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you so much Jazz---

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

I love the title, and the "dusk" speaks to me of the day winding down, as with our lives. It is a beautiful time, yet often, not so busy and not as vibrant with color. There is a darkness coming with it's coolness, and it's fears and unknowns. This is what I feel from this poem that you have so movingly penned. The passage of time and its stages, like the birth of the sun, the noon, the shadows lengthening, the dusk, and then, for all of us the night. The way you repeated "I wait" makes me think of when I seem to be waiting for some sign, or some new purpose, some meaning. These are just my thoughts...your work hits me right in the heart.

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you Claire--I feel you have a lot of heart--this is a piece about the passage of time-at least for me--I am so glad that it touched you

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

I did. My pleasure. :)

[SHEEMA HUQ]

a multitude of dimensions expressed so eloquently, and you wait.....

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you Sheema!

[Kenneth The Poet]

Damn, this is exceptional. Not a word or theme minced into meat.

[Ed Hart]

the bees, the kids fed and marching toward bed, the generations coming to rest, and the waiting, the whole spangled mystery of life in motion, including the one who waits...you fix the moving dimensions to the page, as always, beautifully

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you Ed--hope all is well in your world

[...]

Audrey your talent is remarkable. I love everything I read :)

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you! This one was more of a struggle and it still feels unfinished to me so I really do thank you!

[asdarkeyesclose]

'And I wait.'

i liked the repetition in this, the repeated lines very simple and yet speaking volumes. i could just see the old lady maybe enjoying an afternoon nap- i thought this was a nice touch- something very normal and everyday and not very significant but so much a part of our lives. fantastic.

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you ghostofdawn!