Saturday, January 7, 2012

Found new poem

Was out last night with my sister and our girls.  The very cool balloon guy sat and talked with us about poetry and poets. He shared the name of this poet and most of this poem with us.  Of course, I had to come home and check out the entire work.  It is so incredible and necessary for every one to know  it, I had to share.
I thought this was the only work of poetry this man ever penned.  It was great to learn he wrote prolifically.

Edmund Vance Cooke (1866-1932)

How Did You Die?


              1        Did you tackle that trouble that came your way
              2        With a resolute heart and cheerful?
              3        Or hide your face from the light of day
              4        With a craven soul and fearful?
              5        Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce,
              6        Or a trouble is what you make it,
              7        And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
              8        But only how did you take it?

              9        You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that?
            10        Come up with a smiling face.
            11        It's nothing against you to fall down flat,
            12        But to lie there -- that's disgrace.
            13        The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce;
            14        Be proud of your blackened eye!
            15        It isn't the fact that you're licked that counts,
            16        It's how did you fight --  and why?

            17        And though you be done to the death, what then?
            18        If you battled the best you could,
            19        If you played your part in the world of men,
            20        Why, the Critic will call it good.
            21        Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,
            22        And whether he's slow or spry,
            23        It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,
            24        But only how did you die?

Friday, January 6, 2012

New Poems

Have been writing here and there, but the holidays have worn me out.
Here are a couple examples of what I have been up to lately.

Night Journey
By Kimberly L. McClune
January 5, 2012

Wakened by urgent need
Warm blankets left behind
Sweater and boots donned
Out into the pitch black night

Useless dim beam leads
Logs and bushes trip
Branches and brambles scratch
Run headlong into outhouse wall

Useless beam goes out
Drop flashlight
Blindly run hand over wall
Outhouse door lost

Search side by side
By side by side
At last! The door is found!
Handle turned, door opened.

Black, odor filled room
Gentle, careful steps
Slow, searching movements
Door slams shut, pushing me inside

Lurch forward, face first
Hands outstretched onto seat
Found it!
No harm, no foul (pun intended)

Careful completion of mission.
Wonder how to return safely.
**********************************************************************

Blustery Day
By Kimberly L. McClune
December 31, 2011

Constant wind whispers past
Pressed upon it
Wave after wave of gusts
Each stronger than the next
Howling, pushing, wailing
Forcing their way
Ringing through distant chimes
Whistling through trees
Branches bend, sway, dance
At once calm
At once fierce
Beneath the gusts
Ever constant wind
Like a locomotive
Pulling cars behind it.