Snail Mornings Poem by Glen Kappy
Snail Mornings
from 'Dreams and Visions'
As sun gently warms and dries
drips and drops still fall from rainspout
forming circles in the metal tub below
that brims with last night's rain.
And snails make their moist way over pavement
and up the rain-pearled leaves and stalks.
And birds have a special song—
not the thick and rousing music of an anthem—
but here and there between the trees—
a kindly invitation:
Stay... stay...
If God himself does not call you away
stay... stay...
And take this drink amongst dryness
this wholesome juice
that's served in a chilled and long-stemmed glass.
For appetites will urge us on
and plans though drawn with just a line or two
consume our attention
snails flex up into their shells
and this time for meditation and wonder vanish
like the damp stain on washed cement.
I can see why you lke this one, Glen! It's really a gem. I can picture the tub of rippling rainwater, and the snails on rain-pearled leaves, etc. I can smell it and feel the freshness. Reminds me of my childhood. I had a fascination for snails & collected them! Sometimes I envy them their shells.
The title attracted me, and I was not disappointed. Very enjoyable reading!
Ron, this is a much-belated response to your comment of 8/7/2021 which I just noticed I never responded to. Thank you for it. I was glad you were attracted to it and was not disappointed. Also a fan of Smoky's, Glen
I have read and commented on this poem before. But i am so happy to read it again and vote for it. Thank you Glen for this gem.
Snail Mornings is such a gentle and elegant poem. I use these words for the subtle suggestions you have given through your poetic expression for a fine morning. Birds have a special song, here and there, between the trees - not the thick, rousing anthem. A beautiful morning, Glen.......10
It is soul-refreshing to think how much has been provided to nurture the lives of simple creatures. We can feel happy that they're getting the water they need. The birds calling intermittently remind us that they have been given space and time to live out their lives. The snail's seclusion reminds us that creatures are given time to themselves, to taste the gift of life fully. To my " Favorites."
glad you liked, denis, and thank you. it's one of my own personal favorites too. blessings your way. -glen
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/27/2024 5:15:49 AM # 1.0.0.1119
This poem highlights a special moment when nature holds its breath and we do too. We are urged to use this suspended moment for MEDITATION AND WONDER because it won't last long, just the time snails moving deliberately need to move along the rain pipe. The key line is: STAY, , , IF GOD HIMSELF DOES NOT CALL YOU AWAY. We have a mission to complete in this world of natural beauty, and we are offered a kind of sacramental drink to fortify us. All too soon the routines of APPETITES and PLANS take over and the window of wonder closes but not before we have witnessed the natural world suffused with God's presence. That's my reading of your wonderful poem which finds a spiritual message embedded in the ordinary details of a rain-soaked day. It's a wonderful poem, Glen!
thank you, daniel! you have gotten this poem well. living here in high desert country, where we have nine inches of rain in a good year, you can see why such a morning is like wholesome juice in a chilled and long-stemmed glass. -glen