Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Where the moon hides



BEING HUMAN 
by Naima Penniman

I wonder if the sun debates dawn some mornings 
not wanting to rise 
out of bed 
from under the down-feather horizon

If the sky grows tired 
of being everywhere at once 
adapting to the mood swings of the weather

If the clouds drift off
trying to hold themselves together
make deals with gravity
to loiter a little longer

I wonder if rain is scared 
of falling
if it has trouble letting go

If snow flakes get sick
of being perfect all the time
each one trying to be one-of-a-kind

I wonder if stars wish 
upon themselves before the die
if they need to teach their young to shine

I wonder if shadows long
to once feel the sun
if they get lost in the shuffle
not knowing where they’re from

I wonder if sunrise and sunset
respect each other
even though they’ve never met

If volcanoes get stressed
If storms have regrets
If compost believes in life after death

I wonder if breath ever thinks 
about suicide
I wonder if the wind just wants to sit 
still sometimes
and watch the world pass by

If smoke was born knowing how to rise
If rainbows get shy back stage
not sure if their colors match right

I wonder if lightning sets an alarm clock
to know when to crack
If rivers ever stop 
and think of turning back

If streams meet the wrong sea
and their whole lives run off-track
I wonder if the snow wants to be black

If the soil thinks she’s too dark
If butterflies want to cover up their marks
If rocks are self-conscious of their weight
If mountains are insecure of their strength

I wonder if waves get discouraged
crawling up the sand
only to be pulled back again
to where they began

I wonder if land feels stepped upon
If sand feels insignificant
If trees need to question their lovers
to know where they stand

If branches waver in the crossroads
unsure of which way to grow 
If the leaves understand they’re replaceable
and still dance when the wind blows

I wonder where the moon goes 
when she is hiding
I want to find her there
and watch the ocean
spin from a distance
Listen to her
stir in her sleep

effort gives way to existence



10 comments:

  1. I think about these sorts of things ALL THE TIME but that poem says it so beautifully. Thank you.

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  2. Oh, I've never read that poem, and I just love it. I love the way we KNOW the answers to those questions but have to live those questions each day and maybe each moment.

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  3. RE: the photo, I could totally hang out there!
    m.

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  4. a lovely melancholy in this and that beautiful space - thank you

    xo d

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  5. Love the space with the stone couch and I really, really hope that all of nature isn't as questioning and confused as I am.

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  6. Thank you for this poem!!

    ( and the respite of that perfect nook )

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  7. The photo reminds me of Paris; Lovely poem too.

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  8. You changed the photo? I wonder why. They are both beautiful tho.

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  9. Gorgeous photo, gorgeous words. Thank you for filling my hear with this wonderful poem today.

    I hope that all is well and that life is good:) You have been in my thoughts even though I remain quiet. I am doing so much better now, realizing the things that belong to me and the stuff that belongs to others that they think should belong to me, but doesn't! Does that make any sense?

    Hugs and love...

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  10. I needed to read this this morning. Your site is like this beautiful, truthful little garden place that I can come and breathe deeply. Thanks, dear Angella...

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