It is cold - Shakespeare's Monkeys

it is cold

it is cold

it is cold
that we might be thankful
for warmth.

it is dark
that we might rejoice
in the light.

there is hunger
that we might understand
the blessing of food.

and loneliness
that we should seek love.

and yet many will never
be warm
or brightened
or nourished
or held close
in the dark.

what are their comparisons
to be?

is not the world a strange,
unfathomable place
to spend one's days?

Anstey -

but it sure beats new Jersey.

-----

stephan

Norm -
Better than Jersey... hmmm, maybe you're on to something. (Although my middle son's in-laws live in a place called Mountain Lakes, NJ, and it's pretty nice.)

Anstey -

GRIN.

My wife grew up there. (and by the way Tracey is from Jersey!) So I feel obligated to mock it at every turn. That said, I enjoyed the thought of this piece. I wouldn't say it connected as well with me as some of your pieces, but the sentiment is certainly strong and worthwhile. It feels a bit .. narrative rather than poetic. Points are made more than illustrated. I have no problem with the points, but don't feel it has your usual level of nuance and poetics. None of which is to say it's bad. Just not quite my taste.

-----

stephan

White_Feather -
Hey! Is that Lowell of all places trying to diss the garden state?

eh . . . who am i kidding, i hate it too. Norm, i really like the sentiment of your piece (how we need to experience the negatives to rejoice the positives), but agree that it's not quite as poetic as many of your other pieces.

Tracey -

The first half draws me in, the second half reads preachy. I almost wonder if you should take it in a different direction... (pondering)

Um, Mister Jersey Basher? Jersey can't be all bad if it produced someone as lovely as your wife. Remember: Your kids have Jersey in their blood! (gasp!)

Tracey -
Back again - The first half reads like a prayer. I am seeking a more "prayerful" ending, whatever that means. Something that keeps hope alive.