Sick Days

A list poem

Sick Days

Cornflower sky, creaky fir trees,
Choirs of song sparrows, wrens, chickadees,
Bum in a deck chair, head congestion,
Warm morning sun, golden dandelions,
Dog in the shade, mowers abuzz,
Lavender, daisies, and cottonwood fuzz,
Petals a-flutter on barely a breeze,
Cabbage moths claiming cruciferous leaves,
Resting and sleeping and resting some more, 
Tea in a mug and books on the floor,
Wrappers from lozenges, tissues well used --
All things considered - including this flu -
The world is a wonder and I believe
God has been wonderfully good unto me.

My backyard this morning

This poem might fall into the “simplistic” category of poetry but that’s fine. I write simple verses. I am not good at obfuscation and obscurity. That has its place in poetry, certainly. Opaque poems require mulling over and consideration and contemplation. They are intentionally dense and invite reflection. They will not give themselves up to the casual reader. They work on us over time and reading again and again. But writing that kind of poetry is beyond me. I would rather try to write the kind of poem that is like a sip of cool water on a hot day. Refreshing and delightful, if forgettable. Hydration is necessary to life and though we may not remember every single drink of water we have taken, they have all done us some good anyway. If I can write poetry that refreshes, even for a moment, a fellow human being — well, that would be an incredible thing.

This verse could also fall into the “sentimental” category, but that’s ok, too. It is sincere and it is the attitude I hope to have in every situation, whether it's a spring flu or something more serious. God has so richly blessed us through His Son, Jesus Christ, that there is something, always, to give thanks for even if it is only Himself. He is always with us in health and sickness, in pain and pleasure, in joy and sorrow, and because He is always with us we can always say, “God has been wonderfully good unto me.” This, too, is an incredible thing. The most incredible. Thank God it is true.