Libby Weber's Blog, page 29

May 6: No Rest

The Beltane fires have burned, the veil has thinned–

Unconsciously we sense the other side,

And vernal frenzy throws good sense to wind,

As if by work, mortality’s denied.

Inspired by trees’ and shrubs’ floral display,

We start ambitious habits once again

And set ourselves new goals, as if to say,

“I should do this, and if not now, then when?”

Alas, I have been caught in Springtime’s snare;

It seems the season and fate have contrived

To energize me with delicious air,

Only to leave me hot and sleep-depr...

May 5: Insubstantial Pageant

Imagination: blessing and a curse–

For though it means that you are never bored,

It means your productivity gets worse

If work’s less interesting than thoughts explored.

To sink within the boundaries of dream

When seemingly alert and wide awake,

Can make your breathing quicken and eyes gleam,

Feigning attention, when you truly ache

For something far beyond the everyday,

Proscribed discourse, and bland respectability;

But since the glorious stars in orbit stay,

One might consider dreaming sad futility.

Ac...

May 4: Apogee

In stories, climaxes are always clear-

That moment you’ve been craving since the hook,

When structure and emotion will cohere,

And justify three-quarters of the book.

So when in life one finishes a task,

The ultimate of any frenzied week,

The structurally aware cannot but ask

If denouement is coming, may I peek?

What sweet reward for toil may I expect?

What kicker may yet zing me in the end?

To which of my deeds would readers object?

And may a final judgement yet descend?

Hurrah! My schedule shows doom w...

May 3: Pulse for Pulse, Breath for Breath

Rehearsal started punctually at nine-

The sanctuary filled morning light,

And with the sunbeams voices did entwine

In synergistic, transcendental rite.

And then, my shining raiment did I don

To trip the light fantastic with my troupe,

And after that, I followed a baton

Concurrent with that large and glorious group.

By day surrounded by my loving friends

In kinesthetic joy and aural bliss,

This gentle night, alone, I apprehend

That my mouth’s missing a specific kiss.

Artistically fulfilled though I may be...

May 2: On Singing a New Composition

As one who meditates must clear her mind

Of vagrant thoughts, so must musicians, too,

Because to notice all we are designed,

And our experiences we accrue.

But like a person climbing up the stairs

Who pauses to admire his innate grace,

Distractions all too easily ensnare,

And the distracted ends up on his face.

So when an hour passes in a haze

Of avid focus and communal bliss,

United in the harmony and phrase,

It’s too miraculous to be dismissed.

May none of us forget just how profound

It is to be togethe...

May 1: Santa Anas

O blow, you desiccating desert wind!

Wrench limb from trunk and dash it to the ground!

Snap saplings! Sandblast eyes! Crack tender skin!

With writhing branches doors and windows pound!

Your cruelty is indiscriminate,

No ocean breeze can cool that righteous ire

No more than night can force you to abate

Or mercy stay your gusts when you near fire.

Devourer of impenetrable cloud,

You mock the myriad who dare complain

When fog descends to tenderly enshroud

A population that’s forgotten rain.

A dream of verda...

April 30: Daily Farewell

O giant dachshund, white blaze on your chest,

Surveying my departure through the glass

Grown hazy from the many times you’ve pressed

Your nose against the permanent impasse,

Why does my leaving stir such staunch devotion?

Did loyalty and love together spark

Protectiveness? Or did a sudden motion

Betray a cat or bird at which to bark?

Yet in her windowed balcony she sits

Accepting my farewells with stoic mien

Above the door that later will admit

Me to her joyful leap and kiss routine.

For love of sweetnes...

April 29: Humble Pi

Three point one four five nine two six five three…

Point blank for many culinary puns,

Won great attention in antiquity

For making great domes able to be done.

One finds the number inescapable.

Fie on those who would utter

“Nein!” in the face of the inevitable,

To overlook the gold that’s in the gutter.

Sic erat scriptum, transcendental number,

Fife and drum presage your infinite march-

Thee and I, nonrepeating, will soon slumber

Five fathom full, beneath the heavens’ arch.

Ate we the sweet fruits of the...

April 28: Yay.

Fatigue makes obvious the energy

Expended in each step of every task,

So even small achievements can bring glee:

In trivial accomplishment I bask.

I won the Prize for Getting Out of Bed

When Dogs Insisted On a Morning Walk,

A Badge of Merit for a Note Misread,

Whose Meaning Was Deduced With Little Talk,

A Grant for Using Sick Days Sans Ado,

A nomination to Nappers of Note,

Promotion to the Fatuous Sonnet Crew,

And Recognition for Exhausted Throat.

Past heights of my frivolity I’ve bested-

Imagine what I’l...

April 27: Invincibility

Mae West quipped, “Too much of a good thing can

Be wonderful,” and I affirm tonight

Diverged significantly from my plan,

But nonetheless would seem to prove her right.

The many hours I’ve drilled each vocal score,

My eyes on the conductor’s steady beat,

Might once have made my tender larynx sore,

But no, this night with triumph I’m replete.

Not only did I satisfy each goal

To which, impetuously, I did commit,

I thrived, encouraged, buoyed, and consoled,

And did it all despite sleep deficit!

When my Athen...