I love the idea here. Of course this is way too long. "Because this is your
poem
and not mine, I am not able to choose your boring parts." Excuse the humor.
I do like this, and I like the concept. Sue
Exchanges
1.Because I notice the swelling of an elm leaf as the wind fills it
I do not notice the grass heads waving like wheat.
2.Because I notice the clouds brown in a puddle with a sky void to fall
towards
I do not notice the leafless limb in the sky articulating a position in
philosophy.
3.Because I am startled by the wood-pidgeon swooping upwards through a
gateway of poplar
I do not notice the sycamore wings in a mosaic underfoot.
4.Because I notice the rabbit as I gaze through a tunnel open in hawthorn
I do not hear the voles squabbling in the long grass.
5.Because I notice the carder bee busy in burdock
I do not notice the tortoise-shell beside my ear.
6.Because I hear the sound of a hover-fly stationed in air
I do not hear the sound of my own feet covering the path.
7.Because I see the line of ash against a vast sky
I do not see from above the alternating leaves of nettle like a star.
8.Because I notice a million yellow leaves all falling at once
I do not notice the marten following me like a wraith through the trees.
9.Because I hear the swish of witch elm against my shirt
I do not hear the chaffinch whistling on the penultimate twig.
10.Because I taste the first of the blackberries
I do not lift the last of the raspberries from the woodland edge.
11.Because I touch the curled epidermis of birch
I do not notice the dove's feather lodged in the thorn.
12.Because I notice the fallen breast feather of dove touching the mud
I do not notice the chestnut bedded in silk
like rosewood furniture the day it was made.
13.Because I read the papyrus of birch on the open trunk
I do not feel the cold air on my brow.
14.Because I notice the hazel pole as straight as bamboo
I do not notice the hole in the oak trunk where ivy grows through.
16.Because I notice the egg cup around the acorn
I do not notice the seedling of oak one season old.
17.Because I stop and stare back along the path so far to have travelled
I do not stare forwards with so far to go.
18.Because I feel the sandpaper rasp of elm leaves
I do not feel the ribbing of raspberry leaves mid finger and thumb.
19.Because I drink inwardly the wine-berries of elder
I do not see the convolvulus cone like napery made from the moon.
20.Because I notice the sparrows bathe in a puddle
and the whirring wings as I pass
I do not notice the sky as blue and domed as the eggshells of thrushes,
speckled with clouds.
21.Because I feel the heat of the autumn sun on my crown as gentle as baby's
breath
I do not notice the squirrel drifting through the lightest of twigs.
22.Because I see the heron standing on a stone midstream
I do not notice the minnow darting in limpid green.
23.Because I notice the shadow from each branch moving over the path
I do not notice the sound of the river like the sound of leaves in the wind.
24.Because I notice the fractal patterns of fern by the path
I do not feel the rose hip as firm as a pebble in my palm.
25.Because I notice the black slug sliding forwards
I do not notice the gnomic pine cone up-ended with its blades to the sky.
26.Because I miss the crimson toadstool with my foot
I do not catch the mottled leaf as intricate as any map
as it falls at this particular moment.
27.Because I perceive waves of air cascading through high leaves
I do not notice the roots of willow pulled upwards by the wind.
28.Because I feel the roots of pine on the path lifting my heel
I do not notice the tapping of raindrops on sloping leaves.
29.Because I notice the fleeting leopard-skin of a puddle sprinkled with
rain
I do not notice the green capsule of chestnut falling and floating like a
coconut downstream.
30.Because I have walked here day after day and lifted a little from each
I have not attended to memories like a network of roots.
31.Because I have looked here I have not looked elsewhere
For the eye like the mind can see only one thing at a time.
32.If I were patient could I learn to see all or to know from afar? >>
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