One of those days . . .


Sunday Morning in Santa Monica

(From Path of Fire, 2002)

A bus stops,                                                             

doors open and close,
then roars on, trailing
a cloud of black smoke.
A young man leans his head
against the window pane.

Next to a shopping cart

stuffed with plastic bags, a woman
sits on the park bench
hunched over
her head almost touching her knees.

I feel the moist air float by my cheeks.

An old man with a

green lopping hat stops in front of
Callahan’s coffee shop.
He sucks on his cigar
and puffs smoke rings
delicately
toward the sky.

Years ago,
I buried my father’s ashes
in a cemetery near  Zurich.
Today, I bless
my beautiful lonely life. 

8 Responses to “One of those days . . .”

  1. My Writing and Editing Coach Says:
    July 6th, 2012 at 5:16 pm

    I love the appeal to so many of the sense and the powerful gut-punch in the last stanza. Thanks!

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  3. author Christa Polkinhorn Says:
    July 7th, 2012 at 7:13 pm

    Thank you!!

  4. author Christa Polkinhorn Says:
    July 7th, 2012 at 7:15 pm

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  5. author Christa Polkinhorn Says:
    July 7th, 2012 at 7:24 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  6. author Christa Polkinhorn Says:
    July 7th, 2012 at 7:24 pm

    Just joined your Blog "Remembering For Mother."

  7. Jacqueline Howett Says:
    July 16th, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    A touching poem and great use of the senses. So much is wonderfully described in such a short stanza. Nice one-Bravo!

    Have a good week Christa!

  8. author Christa Polkinhorn Says:
    July 16th, 2012 at 6:48 pm

    Thanks, Jacqueline! Have a good week, too.