"The Sixth of January," by David Budbill, from Moment to Moment: Poems of a Mountain Recluse (Copper Canyon Press).
The Sixth of January
The cat sits on the back of the sofa looking
out the window through the softly falling snow
at the last bit of gray light.
I can't say the sun is going down.
We haven't seen the sun for two months.
Who cares?
I am sitting in the blue chair listening to this stillness.
The only sound: the occasional gurgle of tea
coming out of the pot and into the cup.
How can this be?
Such calm, such peace, such solitude
in this world of woe.
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Silence is Golden...in a world of turmoil
ReplyDeleteSuch rich visual imagery in a poem about the wonders of silence. And somehow melancholy too - or is that just me?
ReplyDeleteWow Cheryl.... wow....
ReplyDeleteoh! lol... I just saw the subject header... I thought you wrote this! lol ;) I had to pause twice after reading it. It's wonderful.. It's warm, which is why I thought you wrote it ;)
I first read this over a year ago and saved it. I didn't have a cat then, but I knew that my time of solitude (and who knew, but a cat) was coming into my life very soon. It spoke to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kat. I wish I had written it. I could quit my day job....oh wait, I don't have a day job. LOL
Bennett there is a note or two of melancholy in this as well.
Iggy, silence is golden even in a world of peace and joy.
Silence gives us pause to reflect on who we are! I love quiet moments ..I thrive on quiet moments to think and clear my head....not that I get many of those moments...lol
ReplyDeleteI like this one!
My dog is sitting and staring out the window instead of the cat.. but she's not on the back of the sofa... that would be bad!!
ReplyDeleteThis poem is so clear. I love it when poetry is something everyone can relate to. It's so much more poignant when you can connect directly with what the poet was trying to convey. Love it.!
Such brilliant clarity in so few words.Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteJen, I haven't seen you have a quiet moment yet LOL.
ReplyDeleteOK, why is it all right for the cat to sit on the back of the sofa but not for the dog. Discrimination I say!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteSally, glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteGee, it's nice to be able to read a poem and not have to go, "HUH?" lol...even if it is depressing.
ReplyDeleteIts not depressing.
ReplyDeleteit sounds like one of my favorite mornings, when Mark and Moriah are out and I can simply Be. Such a relief in my chaotic world. Some of my fav moments are quiet with something warm brewing..lovely poem Cheryl.
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