We walk in a world
muffled with blue-white
snow piled high. A single
shadowy path guides us.
Our boots crunch, blunted
echoes in the distance —
a car horn, shovel,
train crossing, dog bark —
the light of smudged stars
tap through a black,
hazy sky, asking permission
to appear and speak.
The city takes in one
deep, filling breath
and lets out one
long, gentle sigh.
And in that respite
from its patient labor,
it unfolds before us
its whispered truths.
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A response to today’s dVerse prompt City Songs for Poetics, http://dversepoets.com/2014/12/09/city-songs-for-poetics-2/. Post you poem and join the conversation.
19 responses to “The city breathes”
I enjoyed the atmosphere and images in your poem. I like the idea that even a city can have meaningful things to say.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you! And thanks for stopping by!
love esp. the part with the city breathing and sighing… that moment of intimacy when we really feel her heartbeat
I do often think of the city as a separate creature. It seems to have a life that is totally indpendent of all of us coming and going. Thanks so much for reading so thoughtfully.
love the bit about the city inhaling…and then sighing…and the smudged stars of the sky is a cool description….finding its truths…nice close too…
Thank you so much for your feedback!
A city like breathing organism.. I like that and can feel it.
Thank you!
This is so peaceful–the kind of city where I want to walk, live. We have that snow on its way now thanks to the West Coast “Pineapple Express.” The winds are really kicking up and everyone is holding their breath. I really like that shadowy path image.
I love that blustery weather — at least in the fall, when it’s new. March is another thing. Thank you so much for your feedback!
This is just beautiful. I can hear the crunch of the snow & see the beautiful white world you have created! Nice to meet you over at dVerse.
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it. Excited to start interacting with dVerse!
An inverted haiku for you:
I want to hear the stars speak
in the still cold dark:
sparkling soaring sopranos
Jennifer, that is wonderful! I love how you have turned this in another direction.
Beautiful images and wonderful sounds. I want to hear the stars speak! :-)))
Thank you! And thank ypu for that fantastic haiku! What fun.
ah, yes. the truth is often whispered into the quiet – in the breath of the streets and the pinpoint brightness of the stars. You give voice to that truth in a beautiful poem
Thank you! You are very kind.