Morning Glory
The mornings are a challenge for the old
man. Get up. Get dressed. Get the dogs out. Get
them fed. His several pains are worse. It’s cold
and dark outside. The world, it seems, is set
against him. But he knows that’s not the case.
He hums a psalm to keep his morning rite
in true perspective, grateful for the grace
that greets him from a place beyond his sight.
Outside though, it’s still cold, and dog 2, as
his wont is, dallies, “C’mon, Bud. Just do
your duty.” Starting back, the old man has
a sense he should look up, and well—Woo Hoo!—
a large chevron of geese, by tall pines hid,
appears! “If you love Jesus, honk!” They did.
T. M. Moore is Principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife and editor, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
You’ve shown that the sonnet form can be used to express the most mundane things. I think this one is delightful, and I really like your enjambment, and love your humorous ending.
This poem is a feast of epiphany. What’s not to love about it?
Your enjambment and still making it rhyme is a wonder!
You all are too kind, but most encouraging. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Great stuff. Life-affirming and a killer last line.
Thanks, Paul. Glad you liked it.
T.M. thanks for sharing this poem that depicts a man receiving a reprieve from his aging pains through the wonder of nature.
Thanks, Paul.
As fresh as cold country air. Interesting enjambment. A “chevron of geese” is a great image.
Thanks, Geoffrey.
Very strong images, the geese are striking.
Thank you, Murray. Just yesterday, again in the morning, five more chevrons came over at once, heading northeast over the mountains to Canada. Took my breath away. And, yes, they loved Jesus, too.
I loved this poem when I first read it and I still do. One of the things
I like best is that it doesn’t advertise the fact that it’s a Sonnet. It’s writtena
as a simple human vignette but all the sonnety paramaters are there. And
the final two lines with a charming introduction are a wonderful witness.