Window Watcher

The question is not what you look at, but what you see. - Thoreau

squinting

hinting

every day

i get up and gaze out my window

i see the same things staring back at me

nothing new to see

sometimes it's sunny

sometimes it rains

through louvered pains

the same things staring back at me

nothing new to see

i keep looking anyway

every which way

every day

hoping

dreaming

remembering

the same things staring back at me

nothing new to see

maybe i should stop looking

or buy more glass cleaner

Author's Note

“I had three pieces of limestone on my desk, but I was terrified to find that they required to be dusted daily, when the furniture of my mind was all undusted still, and threw them out the window in disgust.” - Thoreau

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is one of your finest collections. Love the quote in authors notes & anything from this album by Bruce Hornsby. This is top-notch word-crafting: "louvered pains" . . . lovely play on words! All my life I felt as your poem describes, as if I missed some train I should've been on. Then I moved to the wilderness & this is "sameness" to a staggering degree, but it's newly stunning & startling to me each day (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

i currently live in the city (not much nature around except for an occasional tree or bush here and there). asphalt, concrete, bricks and granite don't change. i miss my house in the woods and this darned, masked, covid thing is making it worse. it's like i'm a prisoner. the mask is the final straw. i can't believe what is happening in the world and the fires near you. what next? ... :)

[barleygirl]

I have not yet donned a face mask, but every time I see people in them (they've finally started wearing them, even out here!) I have to pinch myself that this is our society now. No smiles allowed. I would rather face death by fire than to go join the covid-contagious masses (I didn't evacuate, even tho there's a mandatory order here -- my fire is tame compared to what's on the news). I really feel for you. I don't know how people are doing this . . .

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Another quite sadly reflective (oops windows) piece in which the days slip away as age sinks us beneath the waves of boredom. Being retired often feels that way to me.

[Pete]

yes - not to mention my own aging reflection in the glass . thanks for taking a look-see john. best wishes ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

This poem made me feel claustrophobic Pete. Living away from the countryside or even a view of a garden would really do my head in. Though born in the city of London I wouldn't survive well if I had to move back. Your little poem, has such a restricted feel about it. Covid days are here to stay. Take care. Clever play on words BTW.

Chris.

[Pete]

you caught my uncomfortable, restrictive intent. wow - born in london town! i too need nature and the countryside to breathe. thank you for sharing thoughts ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

First eight years of my life I lived there. All my old relatives who are no longer with us lived there. I have no need to go back anymore. Not sorry either. I'm a country gal now. Take care Pete :)