Michael J Shay
A page to explore the words of the Poet
4:00 Dentist App.
I watched the sky wake
Up, stretching her pinks,
Blues, yellows, today; so
Cold I thought it was frozen.
Now I watch the sunset, in
Front of maze entangled
Branches protecting a landing
Fifty feet below where the snow
From last week has not melted.
The sun seems in no haste to
Fall beneath the tree line for
Once; I have grown accustomed
To winter with its browns, tans,
Pale, sickly light through dusty
Windows, and slow melting snow
Left alone to decide on its own.
There is a winter storm climbing
Up the coast; they are like trains
Here, blowing their horns, letting
Us know to buy milk or bread.
We don’t shake with the snow
In the city. It makes our lives
Uniform and quiet – the first flakes
Are solace; we are still, for once.
This will be our last storm. Snow
Will still come but few will notice. I
Think that is why I saw the sky this
Morning, now feel the sun descend
Slowly over left over snow I will
Not walk in or get closer. None
Of it waits; I give its warmth; it
Is all beautiful; cold and distant.
Writing Exercise
When was the last time you were in a car waiting? What were you listening to? What were you thinking? Write a poem about a time in a car. Or write about your relationship with your car and your art.
Poem of the Day – “Driving a cardboard automobile without a license” by Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Word of the Day – Ephemeral
What I am Reading – Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
What I am Listening to – History of the English Language Podcast
“The American really loves nothing but his automobile: not his wife his child nor his country nor even his bank-account first”
William Faulkner – Intruder in the Dust
About Author
I am a poet, father, writer, teacher who lives in the Philadelphia area. I have taught high school English for over 20 years and believe that the practice of writing and reading each day makes us better humans and thinkers.
Get In Touch
- michaeljshay@gmail.com
Please send any feedback or comments to the email address above.
