Aspen leaves flip and flash
waking the glass-covered wall behind;
dark when my mind pauses,
bright when my mind stirs.
What is genuine, true? Tell me,
when you flip and flash
and the wall behind you holds
its light like a mountain on fire?
My mind is ignored, perhaps
except for this one aspen
that kindly flips and flashes
and wanders along with me
persuades the wall behind it
to concede, bend,
forget the mountains,
use the fire as I will.
Poems from in between 
11 responses to “8/12”
Great read
Simply beautiful
Can I ask you a question?
As always sheldon
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Thanks. You are so kind. Of course — please ask.
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Do you know where thumbsup is
I know you guys are friends
And I thought you might know where she has been
Thank you sheldon
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No, I do not. And I am not sure I know this blogger …
Sorry!
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Wonderful rhythm with the flip and flash, and what a last line to land on! I did think of Plato and his cave shadows–the philosophical tone took me there, I think.
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Hmmm. Plato. Yes. Very appealing to say that is what this about! I have been accused of not being clear by another friend. Hmmm. What I was wondering at the time was whether my mind could control the aspen leaves and the shadows they cast on the wall behind them that was otherwise bright with sunlight. I think Plato’s cave only works if I am the philosopher?? Ok. So I will take it. 🙂 Thanks for bailing me out.
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lol…the beauty of poetry is…many things to many people, sometimes even many (sometimes hidden) things to ourselves. 😉
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Your poetry gives lovely lessons in the rewards of observing carefully. After reading the first two lines I exclaimed (to myself) “That’s right! That’s what aspen leaves do!”
I have to admit that I don’t have a clear understanding of what the persona is struggling with, but it’s not important for me. I find the images compelling enough.
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Ha! I am not sure I did either, now that I think about it. Thanks for clueing me in, and for your ever generous readings.
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This is so beautiful! I could just see you/someone sitting, contemplating the beautiful interplay of light and shadow. I think perhaps I have been in exactly this place, watching lead shadows, and may have even felt moved to write about it. It all felt very familiar. I love your use of repetition, too – I think it reonforces that idea of contemplation, the way the mind goes over things and comes back to them.
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Thank you. Such kind words. Glad it pulled you in a bit. There are so many mysteries to ponder over.
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