Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Inspiration

Do you ever have days when everything feels and looks square but the world is round and nothing fits? Today I found this beautiful poem by Maya Stein on Patti Digh's blog, and if you are not familiar with her or her writing, check her out. I have one of her books and I find myself picking it up several times a week, finding much needed inspiration.


I want the water to fill your glass the moment
it sees your thirst.
I want the staircase to meet your footfalls.
I want the line to the freeway to move like breath.
I want the wind flattering your hairline, the rainshower
a welcome refreshment. I want the parking space to fit your car.
I want the birds on your back deck to warble in the exact way
they did during your childhood. I want the photographs
of all your holiday dinners buzzing with a certain unnamable
happiness. I want the dry cleaners to understand
your outrageous requests.
I want the man calling your house to survey
your thoughts on phone companies to remember
the evening is precious as silk. I want your new jeans to not
come undone in the wash. I want snow to land on your eyelashes
like it does in the movies, an etheric, slow-moving kiss.
I want a letter to arrive the moment
you feel most unwelcome of your own company.
I want the scent of lemons in the air. I want the power lines
overshadowed by the view your neighborhood offers at twilight.
I want the downtown ice rink to keep your fantasies aloft.
I want the moon to articulate your most punishing silence.
I want the willow tree revived and teeming, the broken daisies
resurrected and obstinate with brightness.
I want the labyrinth of what ifs narrowed
to a single, poignant sentence.
I want the tulips to be wild as clover, as fog, as good intentions.
I want your heart to cut through its own brutality,
for your body to see everything about you that’s beautiful.
I want love to come at you in thick pats of butter,
in strands of spun sugar, heavy and light as cream.
I want it to bathe your skin until you are nothing
but forgiveness, until your shadows have disappeared,
until all of your perfect right angles have collapsed,
until you are a curve of a curve,
and your hands slide forward and open
and are able, at last, to feel everything.
-Maya Stein


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is absolutely amazing. I was not familiar with Maya Stein and. now will have to look her up. The photo is so lovely, too.

Jo said...

This is so beautiful! I've not heard of Maya Stein, but am now going to go learn more. Thank you so much!

You mentioned that you'd be having a quiet Christmas this year. There can be such lovely peace in the silence. Have a wonderful Christmas!
xox

Sixpence and A Blue Moon said...

Ladies it is great to hear you enjoyed this beautiful poem. If you click on her name, it will take you to her blog.

LadyCat, the photo is a cropped photo of a picture hanging over my fireplace. I found it at a flea market in Germany and the thing is huge and I had to carry it a long way back to the car. I was ready to ditch the thing right before I got to the car. I pushed myself all the way and made it. Though I seesaw back and forth on what I believe, I do love vintage religious picture. I found some beauties in Europe. :) Happy Holidays to you and yours. xOx

Jo, I agree, it can be very nice - though it can also make me melancholy. :) I hope you have a lovely Christmas and wonderful New Year!!! xOx

Slices of Beauty... said...

Love this poem! Merry Christmas sweets.

Sixpence and A Blue Moon said...

Thank you sweets! :) Merry Christmas and a wonderful, HAPPY New Year ahead! xOx

La Petite Gallery said...

This was beautiful.

Merry Christmas yvonne

come visit me sometime

Sixpence and A Blue Moon said...

Yvonne, glad you enjoyed it.

Merry Christmas!

xOx

P.S. I will be by for a visit. :)