Early Summer Morning, After Rain ~ a plein air poem for summertime in the City

Early Summer Morning, After Rain

 

 

Stepping into the city

after a nightlong rain,

 

onto cool, wet cobblestones.

 

Into full, floating scents

of moist earth,

thriving green leaves,

the lime-musk

of sycamore bark,

the pale perfume

of a run-wild rosebush.

 

Into quietly inviting feelings

of freshness, lushness.

Everything washed down,

washed clean;

every planting overspilling.

 

Past puddles

in the walking path

all clear and still,

like the reservoir

I circle softly round,

 

but for the ripple

of a bell

from an old churchtower

ringing

the morning hour

across the water.

 

 

Colin Goedecke

Central Park, New York  

July 5th, 2016

 

 

 

 

The Lady Smiled ~ a plein air poem for the Statue of Liberty & all things liberating

The Lady Smiled

 

               for Ute Dugan on becoming an American citizen

 

When you took your oath to life,

liberty and the pursuit of happiness

today, the statue

of the colossally copper-clad lady

standing since 1886

at New York’s door

with her sunlit torch of gold,

smiled. And as she smiled,

ships of all shapes

and sizes and ages,

especially ferries and tugs,

blew whistles and horns

sky-high and bass-low.

And bells on bicycles

and church towers,

from the Battery to Gramercy

rang clearly, and joyfully.

All to salute you

and your declaration of independence,

your pledge to pursue the possibilities

and great freedoms

that come with being an American;

that belong to us as citizens;

who, us among them, welcome you

today with broad stripes and bright stars.

 

 

 

Colin Goedecke

New York City

April 2007