Monday, June 2, 2008

Messengers

"Chosen Words," which began in 2004, has welcomed more than 37,500 visitors, thanks to those who have taken a look ... and told others.

Without these "messengers" ... people telling other people ... the counter, elsewhere on the screen, would have moved hardly at all.

But it has, and that has been my inspiration, my impetus to continue, even on those days when I might prefer simply going with the flow.

I've gone through the ritual of selecting a poem for each day, thumbed through photos, drawings or other pieces of appropriate illustration ... and then undergone the sometimes-tedious process of putting them all together.

These elements have become my "light in the window," beckoning visitors to pause in their daily routines, to "stand in the shade a bit," to enjoy a few quiet moments, to listen to the murmur of words committed to paper, then to this new medium we're sharing.

I hope that when each visitor then resumes the journey, takes up the next task at hand, he or she is at least less burdened, if not inspired, for having paused here.

I hope these have been pleasant interludes for you. I appreciate your stopping by for a visit ... and I thank you for telling a friend about this place.

Thank you for making this a pleasant journey for me, too.

Today's poem:

MESSENGERS

Weary of the small,

murmuring fire

in the wood-burning

stove, I step outside

on a still, crisp night

to look at the stars.

Far overhead,

a flight of geese

moves slowly northward,

spreading the good news

to all who would hear

on this lonely night.

© 2000

(originally published in Midwest Poetry Review)


***

Today's word: murmuring

Afterthoughts ... in response to your comments:

Hey, I LOVE that comment, Featheredpines ... I'm always delighted when something I've written strikes a responsive chord in the reader. Belated thanks for stopping by again.

Thank you, too, Southernmush ... for that generous comment ... I know I'm not deserving of such praise, but it's nice to know that what I write gets a good hearing from you ... and I really appreciate that electronic pat on the back. Continued best wishes.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I LOVE this poem!  Not such an eloquent comment, is it?  But, it's a true one :)

Anonymous said...

Hello there Mr. Brimm,

I have to tell you that I really like this poem. I also have to say that I can't end my night without coming to visit "Chosen Words". I can't say that its been crisp here its been rather steamy, sticky and explosively hot in Georgia. But your poems certainly keep me feeling cool and delighted to have such a wonderful place to visit before I go to bed at night. How do we....your readers.....thank you Mr. Brimm for being a part of our lives ??? How ????

I so do thank you for being here and sharing yourself and your poems with us all. My thanks might not be a big enough gesture but I hope that you know you are very much appreciated at J-Land.