Ritardando

Cherry

By MistakenMagic

Wed, 07 Apr 2010
  • 5900 reads
21 comments
 

Spring is late this year.
April is born into a cold, grey hole
and the seasons are so out of sync.
Perhaps it is time slowing down,
for our sakes. The world dropped
and stayed below zero
longer than it should, to hold
the snow - and us - captive.

We are the reason nature is sluggish;
that the trees only dream of green
and the sky is pained with rain.
But we know this is only ritardando:
there will be no definite freeze-frame.
Instead we wait for the enchantment
to break, time to regain its rhythm,
and for spring ... for spring ... for spring.

Certificate U
Poem
The Poet Who Fell in Love
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Comments

Submitted by Beeme on
Very emotive, love these lines; "We are the reason nature is sluggish; that the trees only dream of green and the sky is pained with rain." Got me thinking and the first stanza paints a very beautiful picture of all the winter weather we've been having recently. Much enjoyed, come on spring! Beeme xx

k.

Submitted by MistakenMagic on
Thank you, Beeme! It's true we've had so much snow up north and now everything is just very grey - I hope spring is on its way ;) Magic xxx

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on
Dear MM. I was attracted to this nor so much by the name of the author, who is a poet of an excellent reputation, as by the title which is a noun from my native language meaning 'delaying' or 'slowing down'. I don't know if I am reading the poem correctly but the lines: "But we know this is not ritardando: there will be no definite freeze-frame." seem to contradict each other especially if you read the ensuing lines: "Instead we wait for the enchantment to break, time to regain its rhythm, and for spring ... for spring ... for spring." Unless I am totally wrong, "But we know this is ONLY ritardando" would be more appropriate. Luigi xxx

 

Submitted by shoe on
I did wonder what Ritardando was, what a lovely and appropiate word! love the trees dreaming of green, Shirley xx

 

Submitted by MistakenMagic on
Hello Luigi - I'm so happy you decided to comment on this one, I hoped you might due to my use of Italian ;) I completely see what you mean and there was something niggling me about the technicalities of this one - and I think you've found it! So I shall go back and change it now ;) Many many thanks! Magic xxx

 

Submitted by MistakenMagic on
Thank you, Shirley! You know ever since reading Lola Haskins' anthology 'Forty-Four Ambitions for the Piano' I've been a sucker for musical imagery and love using music terminology in my poems ;)(see 'Diminuendo'!) Magic xxx

 

Submitted by vidit.chopra on
You have done it again. ;) We are the reason nature is sluggish; that the trees only dream of green and the sky is pained with rain. So the spring seems to be retarding in your part of the world! ;) The poem looks apt in your part of the world. Never really seen snow here! :-o Vidit

Submitted by MistakenMagic on
Thank you, Vidit! Yes, we've had a lot of snow this winter - so much so that spring is sure taking its time ;) Magic xxx

 

Submitted by vidit.chopra on
In UK right? Well didn't hear anything like that though!

Submitted by MistakenMagic on
Yes, Yorkshire, in the north of England - we've had heavy snow on and off since early December! Magic xxx

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
A lovely poem, Magic...At least here, in my neck of the woods, it has certainly been like a touch of spring today, so maybe, what you wrote, had something to do with it;-) Wall-to-wall sunshine and I even heard a sky-lark. And maybe then, you are magic, Magic;-) Tina xxx

 

Submitted by MistakenMagic on
Thank you, Tina! Well I'm happy you've had some sunshine and it hasn't been too bad in Yorkshire today either, so yes, maybe my poem is spreading some spring out there ;) Magic xxx

 

Submitted by vidit.chopra on
So this Magic doesn't seem to be an illusion after all. Magic's poetry wand is spreading spring now. ;)

Submitted by MistakenMagic on
Haha you could be right Vidit! The skies are fairly clear and blue this morning too ;) Magic xxx

 

Submitted by vidit.chopra on
Happy Spring to you then :) Enjoy the weather.. That sort of weather can be truly inspiring. Enjoy :)

Submitted by Cavalcader on
New MistakenMagic Well deserved cherry! Wonderful true and exciting poem,and images words,full of colour and lifts people's lives the nature and creativity around us God's beauty.Just breath in the air. and look,Fields and flowers,Spring is is here to-day.I have learn't a new word?too Ritardando.Went to "Ilkley Moore" when young by coach,and collected by car.I took my brothers and sister then.When it rains on the "Moores".Watch out. an Aunt had us stay.Beauty in England,for scenery,here,mainly. Spring! makes people more interactive,I think "The bare necessities of life will come to you." julie xx

Submitted by MistakenMagic on
Thank you, Julie! Ilkley moore! I know it well :) And I can't believe it - but there is absolutely glorious sunshine today! It seems spring is finally here ;) Magic xxx

 

Submitted by Kahdai on
Since this poem has been like summer here (south)! Good bit of magic you worked! K xxx

"I will make sense with a few reads \^^/ "

Submitted by MistakenMagic on
Thank you Kahdai! I'm glad spring has also appeared in your part of the world ;) Magic xxx

 

Submitted by Kahdai on
can yu be onliin?

"I will make sense with a few reads \^^/ "

Submitted by Cavalcader on
new MistakenMagic Had to look up big word have learn't meaning now. Well really good images and colour.Definitely passing Spring around to-day,very warm out,not a lot of birds.Yes,I got mystery card photo of a garden under Snow I thnik it was 2008,Thinking must be abroad,no! it was here in April.I did have a water bottlr othe night feet go cold. julie xxx