Tuesday, January 19, 2010

. . . IN A WOOD








BOB ARNOLD










THE WOODCUTTER TALKS



Long before the great ships at sea
There were the deep inland forests


I stand in one today knee-deep in snow
10 degrees with a wind


My saw shut-down
Oil freeze to bar and gloves


Listening awhile to the ships at sea
The long groaning waves


High high
Above me









THE CREEPY CRAWL



There's a stink in the old farmhouse

Maybe a dead squirrel or rat or could it be a cat?

We've a hot water kettle on the woodstove

With apples and cinammon

Nutmeg

Be patient with it

It takes a long time for a life to disappear









PAY ATTENTION



It'd be
so cold


we'd warm
our clothes


right on the
woodstove


not near
the stove


on the
stove


be quick
about it












AN OLD TRUCK IN A FIELD



He said he’d be right down to

Buy the VW pickup truck two

Weeks ago and never has shown up.

Two days ago the same. Yesterday the same.

The same today. Tonight as we supper

Soup and sandwiches around the fire

He left a slow mumbling message how

He would be out here tomorrow but

We were already past that in mind. I

Could see that as I looked over to you

Who looked over to me. The truck

Down in the field still in the rain.

A quarter-century old and barely any rust to it.

Never ever had to buy a new a muffler.

Made in Germany.

When we started it after two years stone cold

A rat ran out from his home around the engine.








HEAVENLY RING



Tonight —
because of her


because of me
& the telescope


I bought for her
birthday and she


has become so adept
she calls me out into


the chill spring eve to
look straight up


through lenses to a
miraculous visitation


with Saturn, of all places










WORK SONG



We carried the saw and ax to the top of the hill

Hop-hornbeam logs waiting dry off the ground

I cut the logs into firewood size and split each one

You do the ground work, keep everything in order

We stack the splits into heavy canvas sacks

Carry it all down a trail under trees of meadowy leaves

I’m in love with you who is love with me

The woodshed at home is filled to the brim

I’m in love with you who is love with me














photos © bob & susan arnold