True nature
The true nature of a thing is in everything
you don’t see of it.
Describe the shapes of invisible air.
Clouds try. But that’s just cool & warm & wet.
Show me instead how air defines a face, or
the shade of autumn’s dawn.
Don’t tell me about a favorite movie or
episode on TV, nor what car you drive.
Step outside that constructed room.
Tell me what you see when your eyes
are closed. Tell me what’s beneath mere
thoughts when you touch a face.
We’ll start out easily.
Tell me about the first breath of air
when you awoke today. Tell me about
who you sat with at table for a meal.
Leave off even what they said and what
you said. Tell me what their eyes spoke
to you. Tell me how your hand moves
when you are close to them.
Tell me about the meal you ate for
lunch today. That one! Did you use
a fork or spoon? Where is the napkin
you used then now? Mine was
a bacon & lettuce & tomato sandwich
on wheat and warm. Wrapped
in yellow paper, handed me.
Tell me about the towel you used
to dry yourself after washing today.
What color, what scent? Did you hold
it gently to your face, or brusk?
Be intimate with yourself.
Tell me every thought when you
dance across a room close to me.
No editing!
Describe a kiss to me without
using your lips.
Neil Reid © January 2010
version 2, 2010.02, edit last line
bearly audible 
I love this one ….that’s how I feel…it’s wonderful just to enjoy life for life’s sake…
without lips kisses are not of love they are but mere affection.
Well said my friend. Have a good visit to New Zealand!
Lovely, Neil. It’s as if the form demonstrates the intent.
This is quite different for you. What were you experimenting with?
Thanks Pamela! If that’s what you got, then I’m pleased the poem did its work as I meant for it. It is both blessing and curse (am I kidding?) since that last RWP mini-challenge which was to throw out your usual poem voice, and reinvent the way you write. Six days in a row (well I really only did four), but I liked the result. And now it is sort of sticking to me, prompt or no prompt. Almost beyond choice at this moment now (that’s the curse part!). Sort of a joke, that last, but not all. How to keep it up? That’s a confront!
And in part, looking for that part of language beneath the words. (The part we don’t see, or want to, and the part we don’t say.) That first line is from a very old poem of mine, and deserved more attention I also thought. Thank you for the visit and for asking.
That’s it then – writing in a voice not usually yours. Remind me to do that, will you?
It’s interesting, if it’s sticking, then maybe it is your voice, but one that’s been hidden.
My eyes are closed and I was thinking and missing you my dear friend!
Love the poem…
Super sized bear hugs!
You just made my whole night dear Vicki!
Pardon if I adopt you dear friend. You are my blogging sister here, and I miss you too. My prayers, ever yours.
And big, big, BIGGER hugs right back to you!