Early in the Morning, on the Road, near Franklin, Texas by Alan Birkelbach
Here’s another from the Texas Poetry Calendar 2008. This one by Birkelbach (Texas State Poet Laureate for 2005) won the third place prize. I think it’s really interesting and I’d recommend reading it aloud.
Early in the Morning, on the Road, near Franklin, Texas
By Alan Birkelbach
Her skirt clings to her the way fog clings to a flower.
Her legs are curled up, her sleeping face soft like a saint.
Driving for hours a man thinks about how things are measured,
about how coffee always tastes better in small towns.
Her legs are curled up, her sleeping face soft like a saint.
St. Augustine said the eye is attracted to beautiful objects.
Coffee always tastes better in small towns;
the treasures of the destination make us take the trip.
St. Augustine said the eye is attracted to beautiful objects.
The full moon makes her skin glow like a statue.
The treasures en route make us take the trip.
I start out thinking in terms of miles and hours
but the full moon makes her skin translucent like a statue.
Her breathing is as fragrant and sure as moonflowers
and I stop thinking in terms of miles and hours.
She’ll wake up in a little while and touch me with her bare toe.
But for now, her breathing is as fragrant as moonflowers.
Driving for hours a man thinks about what makes things holy.
She’ll wake up in a little while and bless me with her bare toe,
her skirt clinging to her the way fog caresses a flower.
Current Tea: Thai chai (green tea blended with coconut, ginger and lemongrass)
