more found objects

I've been hard at work this week trying to keep up with the flow of found objects over at Laura Shovan's blog.  It's true, though, that as with anything, the more you do it the easier it gets, so I did get in a rhythm this week.  Here are drafts of poems for Days 23-26 (all are © Heidi Mordhorst 2016), and thanks to Laura and all the participants for the inspiration!

Traffic Stop

rolling rolling rolling
carry me away
it is my right to copy
it is my right to read

rolling rolling rolling
with the cargo of the mind
defend my right to congregate
defend my right to read
                         officer, please
rolling rolling rolling
carry me on home
home to shelves and piles and stacks
home to libraries

nest

mudwattle
      stuccohung
bugspatter
      mossdangle
birdhuddle            home

we daren’t open that door





The action of attraction

There are screws that hold us tight
there are hooks on which we hang
there are locks that shut us in
there are keys that shoot our bolts

whichever way the waves rise
whichever way the wind blows
whichever way the ship rolls
whichever way the floor jolts

we’re shot, we’re shut, we’re hooked, we’re screwed
our brassy hearts hang hard and cold
waiting for a touch, a hand
waiting for the warmth of skin

and when it comes we leap to it!
we buzz with loosing, waking need
to staterooms, quarters, lockers, deck —
                                                                    and now the crossing can begin.



Sister Sun Sets You Straight

You thought the all-powerful
was a god?  A hot-blazing,
fire-roaring, staff-wielding god?
Helios Apollo Huitzilopochtli
Surya Toniatuh Ra--
                          ha!  I am goddess.

I do not blaze so much as simmer;
I do not roar so much as sing
(some say singe);
I do not wield a mighty staff;
I waft my hair of flame.
I coax the sweetness out with legendary heat:
from soil and branch, maple;
from stem and leaf, strawberry;
from pod and bean, chocolate.
(I do not claim the cookie dough.)

I forgive your errors--
my charms are hard to judge from lowly earth.
So every now and then I descend, all dulcet warmth
and eyelashes, to wink at humankind
from unexpected spots.
                         Don't forget the recycling.

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Laura's project is hosted today by Michael Ratcliffe, and our Poetry Friday host is Elizabeth Steinglass, who's prompting us to consider process (very appropriate for this Found Objects exercise).  See you there!