My Eye Is the Camera

I woke up this morning in the dark with a poem in my mind. It went something like this:

What prods cats,

to mischievous play,

at dawn's light,

But what came about, before I quit, was this creation of uncertain form appearing below.

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Act One, Scene One

Pale lightness

Brightens eastern skies

The day begins

Powdery snow

In clean whiteness covers

A trackless stage

In the dry brush

Dawnlight sparks rabbits

Into friskabout play

Juncos flit down

Among plume-bobbing quail

Seeking seed bits

Ravens walking

On the wings of the stage

Give encouraging squawks

Yipping laments

Of a coyote chorus

Alerts the audience

Wind rising afresh

Stirs applause from oak branches

The play begins

Comments: 17

Edward Nudelman Jan 20, 2007, 11:07am EST

Ruth, this is fabulous! A great affirmation of our beatiful natural world replete with all the odd little moving, creeping creatures. Your superb poem really brings out a mood and a sense of wonder. Excellent

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Lydia O. Jan 20, 2007, 11:13am EST

Your eye is, indeed, the camera--and we can write poems about our cats any old day, lol...great job, Ruth! :)

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Ruth MacGill Jan 20, 2007, 11:28am EST

Ed and Lydia - Thank you. Your kind words bring a happy tear to my eye.

Lydia - I think your cat is related to my cat, Indian Charlie. He also has the Charlie
Chaplin/ Hitler mustachio.

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jessie voigts Jan 20, 2007, 12:23pm EST

beautiful, ruth! i love your writing. and anything with juncos in it, i am in. love it!!

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julian 'blighted karma' three Jan 20, 2007, 12:53pm EST

What a delightful piece! Almost a Zen-like minimalism to the words and yet each verse paints a complete scene in which the reader can not only see but hear and scent and feel the surroundings. Keep up the wonderful work!

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Tonia, who hugs trees G. Jan 20, 2007, 3:09pm EST

Glorious! This piece is wonderful - each stanza setting the stage for the perfect conclusion.

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Shaunee C. Jan 20, 2007, 3:49pm EST

this was excellent well done

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Osofo Addo Jan 20, 2007, 7:04pm EST

Beautiful...just beautiful...Thanks for sharing..

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lynn a. Jan 21, 2007, 1:22am EST

I am so glad you give part of your days to writing. It is always wonderful. Thanks

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DARCEY D. Jan 21, 2007, 8:54am EST

Wow you can sure pull them out of the hat when you want to ,that's a beautiful poem Ruth I think it's the only poem I have read of yours, now we know you have been holding out, you will have to publish more, have you written any more down. I'm so honoured that you were the first person I connected to on Gather,you are a true inspiration to all writers and it seems to all poets as well. You may have retired Ruth but you haven't stopped teaching just yet. I have learned so much from you just by reading your work,I dont even type in capitals very much anymore,well I did today because ,I was playing up a bit, but it's all good. Great little poem Ruth I think you have got more to write about the big old oak tree you live under,good guess ?................love from Kaz+Tallara.................................KEEP WARM......Darcey

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Ruth MacGill Jan 21, 2007, 3:38pm EST

Darcey - You mean you have missed all my 'deathless poetry?" I keep trying on a lot of weird subjects, but I don't get any comment from 'my son the poet' as to what is wrong with them. I sent him my Longhorns poem about 3 or 4 times before I had a response. Oh well. Some others I did in fits of inspiration or madness, are Fairies in the Oak Tree, The Teaparty, Listening in the Dark, Monsters Stalk the Night, On Schedule, and Morning By a Mountain Stream. Read them at your peril!

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