Written several weeks ago while I was taking some days away at a cabin.
Scattered
Pine needles scattered
Latticework beneath the trees
Draped on everything
Poetry Reveals All Kinds of Things–Marital Strife is Nothing New
I like to read poetry now and then. It brings some peace and satisfaction to my mind. But I am reluctant to act like a true poetry enthusiast. I am not good at reading or finishing longer, epic poems. Maybe some day I will grow up. But for now, with my short attention span, I enjoy bite size verse. So I found this cheap kindle book of short poems. The poem below is a good example of how to write a beautiful poem about a dark subject. It reminded me that strife in marriage is an old game.
A Reasonable Affliction
Matthew Prior (1664—1721)
On his death-bed poor Lubin lies:
His spouse is in despair;
With frequent cries, and mutual sighs,
They both express their care.
“A different cause,” says Parson Sly,
“The same effect may give:
Poor Lubin fears that he may die;
His wife, that he may live.”
Haiku 8.3.15
Haven’t had as much time for poetry lately. Here are a few offerings.
Study Abroad
A video call
Daughter in London, good times
Retold taste better
Patio
August in Fresno
Finally a cool morning
A rare summer treat
Essentials
Downsizing our home
Hard, but good in many ways
Unclutter my life
Monday Morning Haiku- Friendship
I wrote these after our son unexpected stopped by our home. He attends a nearby university and we hadn’t seen him in a little while (about a week, I know that is not long, but it still feels long when you enjoy your children). Our conversation volleyed back and forth like a good tennis match. These poems are as much about conversation as friendship. Is there really much of a difference?
Haiku 3.23.15
Together Again
Conversation flows
Between friends after a break
Catching up on life.
-mtroupe 2015
Conversation
Words share life and love
Friends speak of things that moved them
While they were apart.
-mtroupe 2015
Soul Food
Stories delight us
Nourishing the souls of friends
Bringing joy to life.
-mtroupe 2015
Edited photo used by permission of Kathleen Conklin. Some rights reserved
Monday Morning Haiku- Power Outage
Haiku 3.16.15
The power was out at our house for 3-4 hours last night, starting at dusk. Even our cell internet connection was affected. We sat and read together and it was enjoyable. But it was a reminder of how completely dependent we are on technology, and how that even impacts our relationships.
What Now?
A power outage
Darkness. No lights. No Wi-Fi
Candles lit the room
-mtroupe 2015
Together
The power went out
We sat together and read
Candlelight glowing
-mtroupe 2015
Memory
Ancient people lived
Without electricity
But we forgot how
-mtroupe 2015
Design
Without light, dusk brings
An end to the work of Day
Now rest, talk, and sleep
-mtroupe 2015
MattTroupe.net 