Sunday, August 2, 2009

On the Back Porch

Usually it's Laurie who posts poems. But I'm posting a poem today because the photo is of the back porch of a poet friend of mine.

I've recently read a couple of poems by Dorianne Laux. I think she's really something. I found this poem of hers on line.

On the Back Porch

by Dorianne Laux

The cat calls for her dinner.
On the porch I bend and pour
brown soy stars into her bowl,
stroke her dark fur.
It's not quite night.
Pinpricks of light in the eastern sky.
Above my neighbor's roof, a transparent
moon, a pink rag of cloud.
Inside my house are those who love me.
My daughter dusts biscuit dough.
And there's a man who will lift my hair
in his hands, brush it
until it throws sparks.
Everything is just as I've left it.
Dinner simmers on the stove.
Glass bowls wait to be filled
with gold broth. Sprigs of parsley
on the cutting board.
I want to smell this rich soup, the air
around me going dark, as stars press
their simple shapes into the sky.
I want to stay on the back porch
while the world tilts
toward sleep, until what I love
misses me, and calls me in.

19 comments:

Unseen India Tours said...

Beautiful shot and lovely words ..I enjoyed this post ..Great..Unseen Rajasthan

Jilly said...

What an absolutely beautiful poem. That's some poet. How sensitively she chooses and weaves her words and draws us into her world - obviously a world of love.

And your photo, Petrea, is so perfect to illustrate it.

I LOVE this post.

Petrea Burchard said...

I think this poet is wonderful. Though she's been around for a while I recently discovered her work while reading a book about writing. Appropriate, no?

Katie said...

Pure delight. I'll definitely search out this poet. Thanks for sharing your discovery! And I agree with Jilly, you chose just the right photo to set the scene.

Pascal Jim said...

Hmmmmm. Poems AND Soup...where?

TheChieftess said...

Lovely shot Petrea...

from cali said...

Such a sense of contentment in that poem - just what a back porch was made for.
Thanks for introducing me to this poet. Your friend's back porch looks like a good reading place.

Anonymous said...

You and Laurie played a lovely duet today. Thank you.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks thanks thanks.

I've been writing all day. I didn't get much written that resembles what Laux does.

I got this:
"somewhat oily"
and
"he fit in like a CFL bulb in an incandescent socket"

Ms M said...

A lovely post, Petrea! Your photo and the poem fit so well together!

Lori Lynn said...

Simply lovely.

And...
YAY for renewed friendships of old!
LL

Laurie Allee said...

Ah yes! Now, I think EVERYONE on CDP should start posting poetry with images...

Thanks for linking to me today -- glad it was one of MY poetry-posting days! And I love this poem and shot. Beautiful.

Petrea Burchard said...

Isn't that cool, Ms. M? My favorite new poet wrote a poem about a back porch and I just happen to have a picture of one.

Get this, everyone. It turns out I went to college with Lori Lynn of San Pedro Daily Photo! We were buds, we hung out with the same crowd and everything. I have the compromising photos to prove it. Check out her blogs. She's friends with Tash, too!

Laurie, they wouldn't have had to scroll far so it's not like I took a big chance.

Margaret said...

I hate to be contrarian, but the cat gets soy? The cat gets soy? I don't think that's a happy cat.

Tash said...

I just love the image. So serene and pure. Well done on adding the poem to complete the experience.

Jean Spitzer said...

Lovely pairing of photo and poem.

Petrea Burchard said...

Margaret, do you think he'll know the difference if the soy is bacon-flavored?

Thanks, Tash and Jean. I feel lucky that I found the right poem for the photo, especially by a poet whose work I like so much.

Linda Dove said...

Hey, that's *my* porch!!!! Love the photo. I love to see something I see everyday in a new way...

Laux is one of my favorites.

Petrea Burchard said...

I figured I wouldn't "out" your porch but I'll let you do it, Linda. A poem for the porch of a poet.