The
sunset is snagged for a minute
on the window of the
moving car.
It makes me glad -
that we are in it
circling sun and
island as we are.
Ordinary things make
me happy -
the sounds at the pump
as you refuel,
the curve of road, the
strength of coffee,
minute grass flowers
strewn like small jewels.
The ancient trees that
make the forest,
the curve of the moon
that makes the tide,
this poem written in
the smallest,
quietest words
with you at my side.
This one's dedicated
to the Hilaire Belloc poetry fan, who will deign to read no others. Which means I can write whatever I please, that's got to be good. And all rather ordinary. :)
And here is another bit of ordinary and boring...
The ordinary is ignored too often until suddenly it disappears or nearly disappears. Then, too late, we realize what we had.
ReplyDeleteI think that's the only good thing about the pandemic. It's focussed our attention back to the ordinary. The small stuff that's actually the bedrock of happiness and shouldn't be taken for granted.
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteThe minutae of life are too easily overlooked. Thank goodness for recorders such as yourself! YAM xx
Indeed, I record them so as not to overlook. <3
DeleteThose are the best times, when the little daily things bring us peace
ReplyDeleteTrue. Happiness is not a fanfare.
DeleteOrdinary is so often extraordinary when we take the time to appreciate it...
ReplyDeleteOrdinary moments lined end to end make up contentment.
DeleteSuch a small peaceful poem with a lot to say. Wonderful
ReplyDeleteI do have rather a lot to say about nothing in particular :) Glad you enjoyed the poem.
DeleteHi Nila - I can't quite wrap my head around "the sounds at the pump as you refuel," - but I used to revel in the fumes!
ReplyDeleteAs you say .. if we take time to stop and smell the roses we'll be all the better for it ... time to value time and the ordinary ...
Always good to read your work/s ... cheers Hilary
Thanks Hilary! I used to revel in the fumes too, till my sense of smell failed so now I compensate with the others. Learning to value the ordinary has been a particular obsession of mine :)
DeleteOrdinary and extraordinary are in ones perspective...well written Nilanjana
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ashok. Perspective is everything!
Deletehttps://ashokism.blogspot.com/2021/08/ashokism-50-poetic-reflection-in-art.html?m=1
DeleteThanks for the link. How awesome!
DeleteFar from ordinary or boring - I liked your essay. Well done. As for this poem, I too revel in the ordinary and try to be very aware of just the "little things". I got back from my dad's in PA, and every walk around the block, I soaked in the final fall color leaves on the trees, the scratch the sky tall trees, and the rather brisk wind at the corners. Your poem makes the ordinary extraordinary. Thanks
ReplyDeletePS - yes I had commented on Sunday. But I reread it today and your essay too and had to reiterate my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI am exceedingly thrilled that you felt like doing that! Thank you! Happiness is made up of ordinary moments piling up, people who live extraordinary lives are rarely happy, at least that's what it seems like to me.
DeleteYour time in PA and your walk sound heavenly. It is so important to make the most of the time we spend with family, especially our elders. Glad you had a great visit and a safe trip back.