all poems and photographs
© by Maya Stein

all poems and photographs
© by Maya Stein
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Thursday, February 16, 2006

what carries me






















i notice how, just moments before skipping,
river stones can come alive in my hands,
as if they can't believe their luck,
the possibility of this one slim chance
for flight, and how far I might be able
to get them, how deep in the river they'll go once thrown.

what i love is how buttery they are,
basic and light as wings, a beautiful sphere of aerodynamics,
and it's so easy, so easy then
to just let go.

what carries me are the stone and the river.
what carries me is the flight, the possibility, the depth.
what carries me is the way the arms swing back just so,
the silk of the water's surface, the aim,
the slicing through of air.

what carries me is the trail, the way in,
that old sign that tells me how many miles to this or that.
what carries me is how else to get there.

what carries me is the map.
what carries me is maplessness.
what carries me are lungs and nothing but the wind.
what carries me is hunger.
what carries me is longing.
what carries me is a dark house.
what carries me is a porchlight, blazing.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I love stones and the smooth ones are treasures. When I finished sitting inside your poem I was taken to some thoughts on what carries me... and then to wondering about fitting the whole universe in a poem or a painting ... it can be done but it is a mystery how, even when it happens. Your poems are like that. Full. The empty boots are a good image ... thanks.

snowsparkle said...

ah maya!!! this is so yummy! the river stones coming alive in your hand, unable to believe thier luck!!! love, love, love this piece. my saturday piece included a skipping stone so that's a pretty cool coincidence. (i didn't get to read this thursday piece til sunday). great minds and heart, hey? xxoo- snowsparkle

Anonymous said...

wonderful.i really like this one. something about the repetition of the phrase "what carries me" brings out such incredibly image and emotion

dweezila said...

HEY GIRL,

WHERE'D YOU GET THOSE BOOTS? THEY'RE CLEARLY MADE FOR WALKING AND SO MUCH MORE.

Dee Temple said...

You are a WRITER, Woman!!!
Hot DANG, that was shivery good.
EYE am inVITING you to My house to play:
www.brightestblazings.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Greetings Dear Maya:
As a Poet and writer, may I commend to you my book, Master of the Jinn: A Sufi Novel, a mystical adventure tale on the Sufi path of Love. I think you will like it.
You can view the book and read an excerpt at http://www.masterofthejinn.com
In the name of the Merciful, 10% of all profits go to charity.

Peace and Blessings,

Irving

Anonymous said...

Oh, this really is lovely. . .