#SOL17 Day 4: Life from a Chair
How I got to today's writing.
The Chairs that No One Sits In
© Cathy L. Mere, 2017
For the sixth year, I will be joining the Slice of Life Challenge with the community of Two Writing Teachers. I will be trying to put my fingers to the keyboard every day for the 31 days of March. Stop by today's link up at Two Writing Teachers to read other posts.
- I love the poetry of Billy Collins.
- I own most of his work.
- I own, and repeatedly listen to, the audio of his night at the Peter Norton Symphony.
- Yesterday Heide Mordhorst, at My Juicy Little Universe, gathered the Poetry Friday group to join in an early celebration for his birthday (which, I believe, is March 22nd).
- Even Garrison Keiller, at The Writer's Almanac, seemed to be whispering to me as he shared I Love You by Billy Collins in yesterday's podcast.
- Late last night (which 7:30 for me), I went searching for my favorite poem. It was a challenge. Who doesn't love The Lanyard, The Trouble with Poetry, or Forgetfulness (or a million others).
The Chairs that No One Sits In
by Billy Collins
You see them on porches and on lawns
down by the lakeside,
usually arranged in pairs implying a couple
who might sit there and look out
at the water or the big shade trees.
The trouble is you never see anyone
sitting in these forlorn chairs
though at one time it must have seemed
a good place to stop and do nothing for a while.
You see them on porches and on lawns
down by the lakeside,
usually arranged in pairs implying a couple
who might sit there and look out
at the water or the big shade trees.
The trouble is you never see anyone
sitting in these forlorn chairs
though at one time it must have seemed
a good place to stop and do nothing for a while.
Lakeview
From my balcony chair
From my balcony chair
I watch as the sun
drops
from the sky
resting on the lake
radiating color
across the still water.
I could sit
in this chair
for days
watching the cars
drive by,
seeing the sun
reflect across
the Michigan lake.
My feet
up on the balacony
a good book
in my hand
and nothing but time
to breathe
in the peace
that surrounds me.
© Cathy L. Mere, 2017
For the sixth year, I will be joining the Slice of Life Challenge with the community of Two Writing Teachers. I will be trying to put my fingers to the keyboard every day for the 31 days of March. Stop by today's link up at Two Writing Teachers to read other posts. 
Time, a book, a beautiful view, peace - I'd like to sit on a similar chair. Beautiful poem. I like that you share the back story of your poem.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous choice you made by Billy Collins. What an amazing view.
ReplyDeleteAnd how happy I am that you found, and sat in, the chair "that no one sits in".
Lovely.
Your poem is beautiful and it took me right to Michigan with you. Billy Collins' poem reminds me of the two chairs sitting in our front yard (yes, a pair of chairs) that no one sits in. Now I've got something to think about.
ReplyDeleteThe lakeview from your chair...sounds so peaceful and lovely through your words.
ReplyDelete