Sue,
Perhaps I could put it less modestly, what are the exciting parts?
Colin
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sue Scalf" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 3:46 PM
Subject: Re: Newsub/exchanges
> 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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