I read the opening of this
and thought ah, you're doing something
along the lines of Bob's suggestion of
blocking poems into prose
and then trying to find the natural line endings
and this is an exercise
but after reading the first few on screen
-- well
because of all the opening becauses
I got bored.

I'm printing this out so I can look and read it
more easily
perhaps with the cup of tea I'm about to brew
and have with a piece of toast

Maybe something in it will stir my interest.

yours
Gerald


----- Original Message -----
From: "Colin dewar" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2003 7:21 PM
Subject: Newsub/exchanges


> The stanza numbers are not part of the poem. They are just to make it
easier
> for c&c. eg"Eliminate 1-32" and so. Which are the boring bits to be cut
out?
>
>
>      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?
>
>
>
> ___________________________________________
>
>
> Colin
>