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Poetry: Mined/My Truths

Bradbury calls upon writers to “go panther-pawed 
where all the mined truths sleep.” Lately, I’ve
been rather horse-like; clip-clopping
through knee-high weeds which itch,
burning my skin toward a fake sunset. “Wake up,
dummy,” I say each morning, but somehow
my eyes don’t hear. Instead, I close them tighter; 
stumble, trip across briar patches again
and again. “Wake up,” the bluejay mock calls
while diving beak first at my lips. I kiss away
pain by pressing my palms hard across thin
eyelids so I can’t see even a tiny speck
of light. If I don’t look maybe they will go away.
But then the doves sing from their nest. Tiny
white eggs might be under them now; new life
waiting for a chance to dive and fall from branches
into an uncertain world of cats and clovers.
“What if I do open my eyes when I sleep?” I ask 
rabbit jumping across my yard. His ears twitch
which means he hears me. He knows plenty
truths, I think. Maybe I can hop wildly like him.

Note: The poem I’m referring to appears in “Zen in the Art of Writing,” by Ray Bradbury. It’s called “Truths Sleep.” The photo is of our pet rabbit named Bun-Bun.

48 thoughts on “Poetry: Mined/My Truths”

    • Thank you! We let our rabbit out of his hutch to eat the clovers and miner’s lettuce growing in our yard. It always makes me happy to see him hopping around.

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  7. This is very very very good. Did I say very – because it is, with two bunny ears on top good. Whatever you’re doing for yourself, keep doing it. good writing, says the class, and me.

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  11. Beautiful spin on her poetry style – great tribute that really shines! 😀
    ‘But then the doves sing from their nest. Tiny
    white eggs might be under them now; new life
    waiting for a chance to dive and fall from branches
    into an uncertain world of cats and clovers’ – this was a fantastic verse! <3

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    • Thank you so much, Tom. I’m getting more comfortable with poetry and I’m exited to see how this effects my short story and novel writing. Thank you for being so supportive!

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  17. Beautiful photo of Bun Bun. I love poem. Very interesting words written in poem. Beautiful art & writing ! Bravo, Bridgette!

    Reply

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