Monday, January 10, 2011

January

One, 2011

Beginning
and completion,
they both gratify.

It is ending
that is hard.

I pause beside the park.

This tenth day
smells of fresh cut grass.

The air,
it is cold and sharp.

Still and quiet, I watch.

A small aging dog
hobbles contentedly
through the short blades,
softening the day.

Moving forward,
I begin to count my steps.
Posted by Denise | Chez Danisse at 4:30 PM
Labels:

30 comments:

  1. flwrjaneJanuary 10, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    Sparse yet evocative.

    I too hobbled contentedly through my day but I didn't know until you told me.

    xo jane

    ReplyDelete
  2. shariJanuary 10, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    just perfect, denise. xo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Maria | Vintage SimpleJanuary 10, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    Sweet perfection. Thank you.

    xoox,
    -maria

    ReplyDelete
  4. Denise | Chez DanisseJanuary 10, 2011 at 5:36 PM

    Jane, You always bring a smile to my face. I'm not sure who cracks me up most, you or Mise. You are neck and neck. Will it be a tie?

    shari, A big thank you.

    Maria, Thank you. It's so nice to see your face. I've missed you. I hope all is well with you, your family, and your design work. Your last post was exciting and I'm looking forward to seeing what you've been up to lately.

    ReplyDelete
  5. kateJanuary 10, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    The last two lines. Yes.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Through My Kitchen WindowJanuary 10, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    Lovely. You just 'softened' my January day.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    Here, the tenth day smelled like snow, wet dogs and snow pants.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Denise | Chez DanisseJanuary 10, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    kate, Thanks.

    Mariana, I did? This pleases me.

    Melissa, Snow and snow pants seem pretty fun, but I'm not as sure about wet dog. Perhaps your dogs have a very special wet dog scent. Yes, I'm sure they do.

    ReplyDelete
  9. ShaeJanuary 10, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Altogether lovely and true -- photo included, of course. I particularly feel the first stanza. Thank you, from one step-counter to another.

    ReplyDelete
  10. JanisJanuary 10, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    Today, and just over the bridge...I am picturing it in my minds eye. A quiet observation, lovely words... x

    ReplyDelete
  11. raining sheepJanuary 11, 2011 at 5:11 AM

    I think out of everything you have written, these words speak to me the most.

    ReplyDelete
  12. nancy at good food mattersJanuary 11, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    spare, potent a perfect poem
    brava denise!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Magnolia HandspunJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Lovely.
    Simple, uplifting and wanting to move forward.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Denise | Chez DanisseJanuary 11, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    Shae, Thank you. The first stanza is certainly true for me.

    Janis, And I am picturing you painting, with your new morning cup.

    Raina, Really? Wow. Thank you.

    nancy, (smile)

    Thanks, Camilla.

    ReplyDelete
  15. TracyJanuary 11, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Denise, you are amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  16. carinaJanuary 11, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    Beatiful!

    ReplyDelete
  17. BethJanuary 11, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    What a great way to be introduced to you and your blog. I now know I will visit often. What a beautiful poem to think about through the day. Lovely blog. B:)

    ReplyDelete
  18. CharJanuary 11, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    love the simplicity of the verse, the quiet, the deliberance

    ReplyDelete
  19. JoytiJanuary 11, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    That's beautiful...

    ReplyDelete
  20. alexandriaJanuary 11, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    The first 5 lines is how I felt about the book I finished today. I love your words and moments shared.

    ReplyDelete
  21. the LadyJanuary 13, 2011 at 3:25 AM

    You have green grass this time of year? Wonderful.
    I count steps, too.

    ReplyDelete
  22. LeciawpJanuary 13, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    yes.

    ReplyDelete
  23. RachelJanuary 13, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    I long for the smell of cut grass. Actually I sort of long just to see grass.

    Those last two lines...yes.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Michele | Cooking At HomeJanuary 13, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Michele | Cooking At HomeJanuary 14, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    A lovely poem, Denise.

    ReplyDelete
  26. EmilyJanuary 14, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    We all hobble sometimes but it doesn't matter as long as we get to where we want to be. Thanks for sharing these special moments. I can feel myself there, smelling the freshly cut grass. It's good to be back here, reading you again.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Denise | Chez DanisseJanuary 16, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    Tracy, No...but thank you.

    carina, Thanks.

    Beth, Thank you and welcome.

    Char, Thank you. I'm glad it spoke to you.

    Joyti, Thanks.

    alexandria, Good book? I'm intrigued, you always make such interesting selections.

    the Lady, Oh yes, we have green grass in January. I often miss the snow, but green grass is pretty nice too.

    Lecia, : )

    Rachel, The green grass will return soon. In the winter I often long for snow. I suppose that's how it goes.

    Michele, Thank you.

    Thank you, Vanessa. I agree, we all hobble sometimes. It's the moving forward that's important.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Amelia PSJanuary 17, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    I'm all about beginnings... not much of a finisher. Thank you for "softening" my January day (you usually "soften" many of my days)

    ReplyDelete
  29. graciaJanuary 19, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    Every line so measured and true. Beautiful to read this quiet Wednesday eve of mine.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Denise | Chez DanisseJanuary 19, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    Dear Amelia, I hope today is soft for you too.

    gracia, Thank you. I'm ready for a quiet Wednesday eve as well.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)