April | 2017 | A TABLE FOR ONE

There are days when you may feel as I do…moved to express your feelings in a different way. I think poetry can be so inspirational and transporting. Why not try it yourself?

“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” Robert Frost

Even if you don’t feel you can write a poem, I highly recommend trying it. You can read a book of poetry, even if it’s a small collection, as a guide. When I don’t have time to read an entire book, I keep a book of poetry nearby. It’s a great way to take a mental break and let yourself go wherever the poem takes you. I keep one by my bedside and carry one when I travel.

Here’s one I wrote that was inspired by thinking about a loved one:

Timeless

As on a ruler,

Notched lines lie

Neatly numbered on your face.

I look and I see

In their sequence, a beauty,

I have forgotten how to count.

I think that poetry makes you stop, or at the very least, pause in a world that is always running at top speed. Poetry is all about putting thought into words that move the emotions. It has to touch on one of the most persuasive emotions…love, pain, anger, awe, etc. Sometimes I find it really hard to get out of “drive”. That’s when reading some poetry and taking time to write a poem of my own is wonderfully effective. It makes for a great time out!

It’s a pleasure. Something you can read or write, that is complete in its brevity. Something that Give it a try. You may surprise yourself. Get inspired. And that’s A Table for One moment to keep.

It’s been a cold, damp and windy March in the northeast this year. When it’s damp like this, it’s literally bone chilling. Most folks want to hunker down inside and spend the night watching TV, cooking and maybe even retiring early.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles before I sleep. Robert Frost

I take inspiration from poets who incorporate nature into their metaphors. On a recent bitter cold March night, I fought the weather and ventured out on a late evening walk to the Jacqueline Onassis Reservoir in Central Park in New York City.

March winds in the Park

I have a great winter coat that’s literally the size of the Michelin tire character. It’s ridiculous, but perfect for this kind of adventure. It makes you impervious to cold, with its head to toe embrace of warmth! I’ve made it a habit to explore things on the coldest days of winter in the northeast, for just this reason. Once, I spent an afternoon alone at The Bronx Zoo, walking through the nearly empty park. It was fantastic. I had a front row seat to the few animals that could wander out in the cold. This walk the other evening reminded me of that.

The runners are hunkering down at home on a bitter cold night!

There is definitely no other time of day, other than very much pre-dawn hours, that the running track at the reservoir is empty! It’s quite a sight to see and one that I couldn’t resist venturing out to explore on my own. Besides, who else would want to join me on a night like this one?

The Dakotas and reservoir on a cold night

The Dakotas standing tall on a cold winter’s night at the Reservoir

Standing on the abandoned runners’ track…looking west across the water, to NYC’s Dakotas towers, with the dark, dark backdrop of the sky. What could be more beautiful? Bundled up, heavy socks, layers of sweaters, a warm scarf, hat, gloves, wool socks and boots. Sounds like Switzerland in the winter! But what a great way to spend one of the coldest evenings of winter, out in the elements and treating myself to a great moment for “A Table For One”!

A TABLE FOR ONE

THE ART OF "BEING" ON YOUR OWN

Monthly Archives: April 2017

Write a Poem

March Winds