Sunday, April 12, 2009

One Single Impression -- Live Water


Live Water

the creek flute dances
a natural accompaniment
'neath work and sleep;
its liquid silver ballet
skips stones, bends grasses,
to wind slender fingers
through my day;
live water
embraces the hours
with subliminal music.

©sgreerpitt
April 6, 2009



In Pilgrim at Tinker Creek (Bantam Books 1974), poet Annie Dillard writes “Live water heals memories.” It is from Dillard that I first learned how to view the world through both the eyes of a naturalist and a poet. This book is a treasure to be savored, the perfect accompaniment to a summer’s day, especially one spent near creeks and woods.

For other wonderful poems on the theme "Live Water" go to One Single Impression.
Photos are by sgreerpitt April 11, 2009, the creek running near our yard in Letcher County, Kentucky.

20 comments:

Barb said...

liquid silver ballet... that is a lovely way to describer the dance of water.

Thanks for suggesting this prompt. I struggled with it for a week or so and suddenly while talking to my mother about my niece, the poem just wrote itself.

Do you really have 9 cats? :-D

sgreerpitt said...

thanks! yes, we do have 9 cats, all rescues -- either abandoned or injured kitties, initially. Now they are all geriatric (youngest is 10 years old). My husband calls us a feline retirement home.

anthonynorth said...

Those words bring it magically to life. Excellent.

gautami tripathy said...

creek flute dances..

What a way to put it!

drumming water

Kill Word Verification

SandyCarlson said...

It does indeed. The fluid lines, the graceful movement, the abundant images are like a spring shower.

Sherri B. said...

its liquid silver ballet
skips stones, bends grasses,
to wind slender fingers
through my day;


That was my favorite part...lovely words!

Jacqueline Dove said...

Lovely poem, calling me to read it repeatedly. Thanks. Also thanks for the prompt, it's been a great read all round.

Beth P. said...

Dearest Sue--
Thank you for this lovely prompt. At the first of the week, I was puzzled about how to write about it, but it worked on me through the week...THANKS!!

Lovely photos and your words that cascaded in my mind...

Thanks also for the connection to Annie Dillard and that living water heals memories--just plain moves them on down steam, yes!

Beatiful--thank you--

qualcosa di bello said...

yes, flowing water is most definitely 'subliminal music'...a delicious way to say it!

Jim said...

Hi Sue, this turned out pretty good didn't it! I am glad you read Pilgrim at Tinker Creek and could share a little with us. Thank you.

Life flows like water, with troubled spots and music to our souls. Enjoy it while we can, life is short!
..

Quiet Paths said...

Sue, this is a wonderful prompt and poem. I have been looking forward to doing it. One of my favorite books is Pilgrim at Tinker Creek; it is always within reach as I see it is with you. I just love creek flute dances.... wow!

gabrielle said...

live water dances its way through the hours with subliminal music.
yes, the lush images speak of water's gifts.
Beautiful! Thank you for the prompt
and for referencing Annie Dillard. I have her book of found poems by my bedside.

Geraldine said...

Beautifully written Sue and a great interpretation of your prompt.

Hugs, G

Tumblewords: said...

Lovely work! The phrase 'to wind slender fingers/through my day' is such a delight. Thanks for the prompt -

Anonymous said...

Great prompt, Sue, and your poem is outstanding. I agree with you about Annie Dillard, she is definitely my kind of person.

one more believer said...

you have spoken well... it is just so.... book sounds intriguing

marde said...

This is simply lovely Sue!-- every image & phrase -- nothing wasted or superfluous....

'the creek flute dances
a natural accompaniment (yes!)
'neath work and sleep

(I too know this blessing. Thank you for this live language, giving such poetic expression.)

I too have savored Annie Dillard's book. Another line; "I never merited this grace, that when I face upstream I see the light on the water careening towards me, inevitably, freely, down a graded series of terraces like the balanced winged platforms on an infinite, inexhaustible font."

zoya gautam said...

beautiful

Sandra.if said...

so beautiful!

Amias (ljm and liquidplastic) said...

I am late, but still on time Sue. Your poem is dancing right alone with the water, and what a ballet!