The Patience of Ordinary Things
Pat Schneider
Pat Schneider
It is a kind of love, is it not?
How the cup holds the tea,
How the chair stands sturdy and foursquare,
How the floor receives the bottoms of shoes
Or toes. How soles of feet know
Where they’re supposed to be.
I’ve been thinking about the patience
Of ordinary things, how clothes
Wait respectfully in closets
And soap dries quietly in the dish,
And towels drink the wet
From the skin of the back.
And the lovely repetition of stairs.
And what is more generous than a window?
Source: Another River: New and Selected Poems
Simply put - beautiful
ReplyDeleteThis is exquisite.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
For me, this poem brings forward the honest truth of the world of relationships ("towels drink the wet" - wow!).
ReplyDeleteAnd, because truth is the source of love, this lovely work opens the heart. Thank you!
Yes, it is a kind of love.
ReplyDeleteI do believe there is a bond between love and obedience. And obedience and patience. And, what is more obedient on the planet than inaninate objects' adherence to the rules of physics and gravity especially?
We humans have so much to learn about love from cups and floors and soap and towels.
How lovely! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is really beautiful, a transformative way of looking at things. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteThank you all. I am glad this bit spoke to so many of you so deeply.
ReplyDeleteMelissa,
Welcome! :)
Now why did I cry while reading this poem? Enough said. (thank you for your blog.)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely paean to ordinary things! Thanks for sharing it today.
ReplyDeleteI would like to add that we ought to admire those ordinary things that behave in an extraordinary manner -- like water.
Tallis,
ReplyDeleteWow. Thank you. And welcome to the blog. I'll be getting over to have a look at yours soon. :)
Barbara,
Yes! Water. That's a great one; thank you for adding it.
Ahhh...suchness - the ultimate state of warmth, openness and compassion. The closest describable feeling would indeed be love.
ReplyDeletexx~ Alice
Alice,
ReplyDeleteWow, nicely said. Thank you. It's always great to see you when you drop by. :)
Peace