Thursday 8 February 2007

Poetry Thursday - one


This is my first Poetry Thursday entry.

Poetry Thursday unveiled their new website this week, and so, in keeping with the theme, this weeks "totally optional idea" was about changes.

Believe it or not, I like the idea of change. In fact I welcome it. Change has a transformative quality and that is exciting to me. I might not get the change I wanted...read the previous post if you want an example, but I welcome change, because you just don't know where an abrupt change, or a seemingly subtle change is going to effect us, or where it is going to lead.

To me, change offers opportunity to reinvent oneself...learn and grow. This is what my poem is essentially about.

Furthermore, and if I may indulge in a little bit of self-promotion, if you liked this poem,or even if you are curious as what other stuff I write, my poetry blog is called Burnt Offerings, and you are invited to take a look.


Frozen Lake

You say I am a frozen lake, like its a bad thing.
Perhaps I am…..
On the surface I am strong and sturdy
While there remains an undercurrent
An unseen force, ebbing and flowing.
Change taking place slowly, away from prying eyes
Life stirs hidden, below an impenetrable icy crust.
Privately.

But….
My veneer would be so thick that I could not feel
Numbed to the sensations of an outer universe
Paralysed to respond
Unmoved
Aloof
Motionless
Dead.

If you think I am like a frozen lake.
Then help me thaw.
Be there when the cracks appear.
And my hardened shell liquefies
Encourage the light to dance and play upon my glistening surface
Tell others to peer into the depths of my soul
They might even see themselves in my reflection
I do realise I might appear unstable.
It matters not.
I am alive.

© Strauss
5th February 2007

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome to PT!
I enjoyed reading your preface for why you welcome change. Accepting or embracing change (depending upon the types) is part of the mystery of living life, isn't it?

Strong metaphor- You used it well throughout your piece with good imagery and clear thoughts.
I'll check out your poetry site as well soon. (My other poetry when you visit, is in the right hand sidebar, if you click the category Poetry Thursday)

Norma said...

Beautiful imagery. Makes me think of Lake Erie when it freezes--life is teeming both above (ice houses, trucks, fishermen) and below, where life goes on as usual.

My poem today is about women's fashion change.

gkgirl said...

welcome to poetry thursday!

and wow...
what a first time offer!
i thought this was great.

twilightspider said...

Welcome, welcome!

This is gorgeous - I love all of your imagery. What a perfect metaphor.

Regina said...

Yes, welcome and ditto! I love the metaphor of the frozen lake- especially the last paragraph and your glistening surface, the reflective qualities- it's all just magical.

Unknown said...

Great poem to get your feet in the PT crowd! Welcome!

Emily said...

Welcome to Poetry Thursday! I really liked this image of the frozen lake...very strong

Jone said...

Welcomt to PT. I could see this lake and love the imagery.

Anonymous said...

I echo what everyone has said. Welcome to Poetry Thursday, and thank you for sharing this!

Kathleen said...

Good stuff, Kathy. I could really feel this one. Feel a bit like that lake myself at times. Wonderful imagery.

Mimey said...

"If you think I am like a frozen lake.
Then help me thaw."

Oh yes.

Crafty Green Poet said...

I welcome change too! I enjoyed the metaphor in your poem, so many people only look at surfaces when there is so much going on underneath!

gautami tripathy said...

"Tell others to peer into the depths of my soul
They might even see themselves in my reflection
I do realise I might appear unstable.
It matters not.
I am alive."

Beautiful. This is a great first offereing for PT. You will like it here as I do.

gautami
Transposition.

strauss said...

Wow, thanks for all your welcomes and supportive comments regarding the first poem I submitted to Poetry Thursday. I am a bit overwhelmed by it all. Thank you all so much.

Catherine said...

I read this post just before I went on a short trip to San Diego last weekend. I was SO upset that Blogger wasn't letting me comment! But I'm glad to see that you got all the praise from other readers that you deserve. This was amazingly beautiful!