Dacha Ruminations

Dacha- a Russian summer house

Tarnished samovar,

dons an attic dweller's patina,

worn heavily and

filled with other lives.


Evaporated steam’s

tracks swirl in Cyrillic fonts,

fossils of former centerpieces

in dacha ruminations.


Tea cries out for the warmth

of its handcrafted creator,

to cup its leaves of history

in its own silent revolution.


While hard boiled eggs and pickled beets

wait on white porcelain plates,

beyond the centuries, where distant

laughter rolls above bent shingles.

Reviews

[Pete Langley]

I spent three months working in Moscow alongside Russian guys, two of whom had small dachas in the birchwoods outside the city. These places tend to be handed down through the generations, and the same small plot can have been owned by the same family for hundreds of years with just a small shack...replaced as the old place rots or enlarged as the fortunes of the family improves, or not as the case may be. They have always been regarded as a sanctuary by Muscovites - even under communism. You`ve recreated the strong sense of tradition and simplicity of lifestyle in this piece, Blue. P.

[icelandicblue]

Pete-
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I am happy that the piece spoke to you for simplicity and tradition.

[therisa]

Feel like, am curled up, on a settee, with a Dostoyevsky's novel, sitting on my lap, as I sip, my sweeten tea, listening to, a Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky symphony, on a scratchy turntable. A similar image that comes to my mind, when I read Boris Pasternak's "Doctor Zhivago". He could write both proses and verse, with a rare gift that was lost, with his dead.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you therisa. I have always been partial to this poem and I am happy that you felt a bit of Russian life free from the politics that overshadow everyday people and their stories. Thanks again.

[therisa]

It reminded me, of my Russian Lit course, I took, in my first year, at Carleton University, Icelandicblue. The prof was, a huge Pasternak fan. He would waxed poetically, about him, during the lecture, about him. And your welcome.

[Zahra]

Effectively described, i liked this poem. Makes one want to be there. Very nice.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for reading and commenting.

[Frieda P]

I just want to nestle up in your read and have a cup of hospitable tea...and the pickled beets sound good too. I googled these homes, and they are lovely, most old reminders of a different time and place. This was warm and inviting, the same feel I got from looking at those dwellings.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Frieda. Come by for tea anytime.

[Frieda P]

I bet they don't use bags in that house either. ;-) My pleasure blue.

[icelandicblue]

Bags-ugh-tea dust!

[Frieda P]

ha so funny, that's exactly what my friend calls them too.

[Angel]

I like this. It has a flavor of family and tradition, of beautiful old things holding beautiful old memories. It nostalgic and sad, at the same time it is sweet and happy.
Great write!

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for dropping in.

[Angel]

You are very welcome.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Such imagery!!! I love the wording and the phrasing in this one. I would quote a few lines, but I'd end up pasting the entire poem. You have a talent, my friend, and I am glad I stumbled upon your work. I shall be a subscriber to you now. Wish I had more of a critique, but this was great.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much. I take that as the highest of compliments coming from you!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you get us there with your descriptions...

i like the use of "cup" as a verb here...

there is no warmth...just hospitality on hold.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much jacob. I appreciate your poetic eye.

[redflutterby]

A wonderful trip back to another time and far off place. Just lovely!!

[icelandicblue]

Thanks for reading Red!

[quinfinn]

this is a clever excursion out to the" russian country house" with some gleeful and pointed metaphors , nothing cryptic about this write, it is all well penned academia. loved it!

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much.

[quinfinn]

always welcome.....

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

Great words play and metaphor, stunning progression. I enjoy reading this unique wording and fresh ideas.

[icelandicblue]

Hi Marc, good to see you.

Thanks so much!!