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Becalmed
When life is smooth—a gentle breeze
On a porch swing—the garden lush.
Retirement! Do as I please.
Watch leaflets stir—two bluebirds fuss.
Gardinia scent—I swing and swoon.
My mind is still as a lagoon.
I scoop yogurt with my teaspoon.
No urge to move—no need to rush.
The peace of God—salubrious.
.
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Peter Venable has been writing poetry for 50 years. He has been published in Windhover, Third Wednesday, Time of Singing, The Merton Seasonal, American Vendantist, The Anglican Theological Review, and others. He is a member of the Winston Salem Writers. On the whimsical side, he has been published in Bluepepper, Parody, Laughing Dog, The Asses of Parnassus, and Lighten Up Online (e. g. # 48).
Neat well-crafted poem becalming in my own retirement.
A poem as s even and nicely spaced as the white boards of the subject swing. Peace – how precious and how rare it is ! And how lovely to find it in this poem.
Taking into account the title and all its possible meanings, I see bitter (and maybe a bit sweet) irony in what is facetiously presented as a bliss. Then again, what do I know.
Appreciate you. Seems more emotional storms than calms, but this AM, calm.
I felt at peace reading this poem. Wonderful imagery—especially of the leaflets stirring and bluebirds fussing. Also, equating your calm mind to a lagoon is an excellent idea. Wishing you happy retirement days, Mr. Venable.
The beauty of a peaceful mind and moment in this golden poem is tangible… and contagious. I especially like the perfume of the gardenia bloom. Thank you for this poetic ray of sunshine in a cumulonimbus-storm-cloud world.
I am honored from–let’s be frank–a gifted poetess as you.