! ! A Rich Interior Life With Style Poem by Michael Shepherd

! ! A Rich Interior Life With Style

Rating: 3.3


I would live in that sort of space
if would were could.

Instead, I take off my shoes at the door,
feel my bare toes on the polished woodwork,

settle into the chair, take out
the big square book entitled ‘Japanese Style’,
and with the contented sigh of one
who knows that solitude is
a status symbol in Japan,

give the body a rest, while the mind,
with its clever skills, no sweat,
as into a loose cotton robe,
feeling the air against the skin,
slips easily into two dimensions
contemplating three-dimensional space;
lives in these mindful geometries,
and feels a million yen;

goes to bed refreshed,
wondering whether waking up
a Japanese would be acceptable.

Maybe I’ll write a poem,

‘This quiet Spring evening
I sit in solitude
and love the unseen passers-by’

and take it to the calligrapher’s shop,
hang it outside the front door
for no-one to read
but all to see -

for in solitude, all is possible.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Fay Slimm 06 September 2008

If would were could - what an innovative opening stanza. Love it all.

0 0 Reply
Alison Cassidy 07 February 2008

You invite the reader into your mind - a rather nice place to be, it seems to me. love, Allie ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

0 0 Reply
Tai Chi Italy 04 February 2008

oh I do so agree Michael, and solitude is such a precious thing to the poet, essential, but not too much....a beautiful read. Smiling at you contentedness, Tai

0 0 Reply
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Michael Shepherd

Michael Shepherd

Marton, Lancashire
Close
Error Success