•
he wakes
unbidden by alarm
lingers in the darkness
warm neath the blankets
fumbling for the lamp
follows moments of procrastination
before he lifts himself upright
slides feet into slippers
to rise ever so stiffly
from the comfort of bed
pulling on his robe
he ambles to the kitchen
takes a cup from the shelf
pours chamomile tea
brewed ready each morning
by the wonders of technology
he retreats to his office
to his chair
where it waits
welcoming
in a pool of soft light
buffered against the chill
of pre-dawn dark
he sits
sips steeped motivation
quietly peeling away fog
that layers his mind
residue of another fitful night
he is somber
but pleased to be awake
to be alive
grateful for the peace
and the quiet of early morning
fleeting though it is
his thoughts
begin to un-blend
to gather
in a cohesive palette
stirring his notice
slowly they sort
in colors of mood
melancholy greys
fear’s dark ebony
purples of pain and anger
the violet of regret
sorrowful blues
gentle peaceful greens
golden joy
laughter’s bright amber
love’s ruby red
the scarlet of passion
this morning
reflections on his mortality
newly threatened
shoulder in coldly
crowding his reverie
pondering his plight
cursing fate
he struggles
neath the weight of uncertainty
a riot of emotions
overcome him
he seeks clarity
he reaches for his laptop
his tool of resolution
his canvass of language
in the spreading saffrons
and corals of dawn
he begins painting deep indigo
• • •
rob kistner © 2011
Oh yes, you certainly know your colours!
Love the way ‘his thoughts begin to un-blend to gather in a cohesive palette’
I’m pleased that resonated for you Andy, I have always seen thoughts and moods in the form of color…
This is sheer genius…..one of the best pieces I’ve read in some time.
“sips steeped motivation
quietly peeling away fog
that layers his mind”
and so many more brilliant images I dare not quote them all. I enjoyed this so much, I will surely be back for more! 🙂
Your kind words humble me Gloria, thank you… 😉
As I was reading, one of the stanzas particularly captured my mind….seems I agree with Andy on this one:
his thoughts
begin to un-blend
to gather
in a cohesive palette
stirring his notice
I often feel my thoughts are all jumbled into one clump. If you think of it in painting terms…they’re blended. Writing has helped to un-clump them…or, in your example, create a cohesive palette.
Your post reminded me of one of my blog entries about poetry and paint…here it is, in case you want to read it:
http://whenwordsescape.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/poetryandpaint/
Great poem!
~Paula
Thank you Paula — write on… 😉
I always enjoy your poems. I really identify with this one, that slow waking up in the morning, pulling oneself together. So many great lines and images in this one. Two favorites: “sips steeped motivation” and “the violet of regret”.
You’re gracious in your comments Mr. Walker, than you…
Rob, your poem has many echoes in my own mornings, expressed so much better than I could have done. But I can’t let those surplus apostrophes in the last stanza pass without wagging a finger!
Had a few extra in a drawer Viv, so thought I’d use them — but you’ve helped me see the wisdom of economy… 🙂
Love Indigo!
order of the day
Loved all the colors and the way you painted the landscape of your thoughts. But why oh why have purple and violets got be negative?
Because they are natures colors of trauma and bruising on the human body, and so I interpreted them the same with regard to the human mood/emotions — that was the logic I applied in this piece… like black, they are often associated with human mourning… they also represent ‘royalty’, which I also see as a negative oppressive human concept… but you can make them mean whatever you want them to Agnija… 🙂
Deep Indigo is my favorite, and your poem captures that entire palette. Hope all is well with you,
Elizabeth
Thank you Elizabeth, that’s the hope I embrace as well…
What inspiration, what a rainbow!
Nicole… 🙂
Never thought about the colors of emotion other than blue. Now you have colored my whole day. Thank you.
I was thinking Mike, why should only sorrow/sadness be allocated a color…? 😉
I like the way that you wrote the indigo into the saffron and coral dawn – like dark ink spreading on paper.
Oh yes, I really like your description here Donna — nice visual perspective… 😉
I like this
Compelling, insightful, touching and beautiful
in the spreading saffrons
and corals of dawn
he begins painting deep indigo
Stunning use of color to express a feel so familiar–waking and sitting in the dark. Sometimes a phrase just grips you with delight; this phrase of yours was like that for me.
My favorite color. 🙂 It’s been a while since I’ve dropped by, glad to see you’re still keeping up the excellent work; will have to pop by more often!
Your poem poignantly reminds me that we choose to face mortality with courage and grace. Lovely colors and lines.
Who knew emotions had so many colors…beautifully done!
I like the circling back to that which always was.
Remarkable poem – absolutely brilliant! I’ll give you another colour – Green, for envy.
Some days are born to be blue, I guess…
vivid capture of one’s life in multiple ways.
thanks for sharing.
A++
Vivid imagery…I love the last stanza. Life is often renewed on a creative canvas. Nicely written.
Myriad colours…beautiful…
you play well with the colors rob…cementing them in our minds with your imagery…today i choose life…
I can see/feel the colors as I read. So enjoyable!
I like the storyline, colourful