January First
by Gary Hardaway
First purr of the first cat,
first light at a first window,
first kiss of the first day,
first scent of a first coffee.
Enumerate the small delights
this bright first morning
of an unspoiled year.
If nothing else, you are at least
your happy repetitions.
The use of anaphora in the opening lines is the right move. The poem's strength is that it never moves beyond what is needed. No waste, Gary. Nice piece. The title's not my cup of tea, but the poem sure is. *
The security of ritual in an undependable world. Yes.*
"First purr of the first cat"--you had me with you with the first line. Splendid. *
Delightful.
Happy 2012
Tightly woven and delightful. I can smell the coffee. . .*
Sam, JP, Beate, J. Mykell, and MaryAnne-
Thank you for kind and insightful comments. A good start to the literary year!
Nice way to start the year - small delights.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Sylvia.
"you are at least / your happy repetitions"
Love that particularly.
*
Sadly beautiful.
*
Lovely. Makes me long for New Years.
Thank you, Lucille