of topple and toe

[mat james]

of topple and toe

Faster than his falling tea-cup
Slowly
She sweeps her naked foot
To net
And nest

Shattered
By the force
-Of instinct
-of primal I
She laughs
“ha!
The Tao!”

Between topple and toe
Reflecting
How the slow
From a distance
Is subtle-smooth
And fast enough

Faster than a falling tea-cup

Slowly
He contemplates relativity
-perspectives of
motions in time
-of distances
-sweeping foot
-falling cup
And nesting there
Foot, cup, mind “here buckle!”

Faster than a falling tea-cup
Slowly
His naked mind
topples

Beyond …

net
and nest
slower
than a falling tea-cup


andamookamat

[Cate]

the word shattered throws me off a bit. I know that the cup hasn't shattered because it has been nested, but when I see the word shattered, the cup in my head ... shatters - maybe it's supposed to.

Faster than his falling tea-cup
Slowly
She sweeps her naked foot
To net
And nest

I easily imagine her ankle and foot making that graceful swoop. Funny how the perception of time and speed plays tricks on your mind.


andamooka - what a fun thing to say. I looked at pictures of the area, the colour is so unique - very striking.

[mat james]

Hi Cate,
thanks for commenting on my poem.
Your observations are encouraging for me and extremely accurate as I was trying to throw the reader "off a bit" as you say, with the word "shattered". And your comment:

Funny how the perception of time and speed plays tricks on your mind.

is right on target as that was the purpose of the poem; to play with "time". The Tao, as I understand it, does just this; "plays tricks on your mind".
This poem was based around a dream I had upon waking.

Thanks again for reading and responding to my poem. I love to get feedback on my work/play/writing.
And yes, Andamooka and opal mining regions in general are beautiful and unique if one likes large open vistas, burnt colors and peaceful views.

http://www.google.com.au/search?tbm=isc ... 6796l9-2l2

Mat.