Early in March,
in the shadow of the abandoned Assembly of God,
there’s a melting snowdrift shaped like a hand
whose five thin fingers reach
to soothe the grass on the neighboring lawn.
Each day this white hand shrinks back farther
into the empty sleeve of the church.
~ Ted Kooser, The Wheeling Year: A Poet’s Field Book
Photograph: Ed Erglis (Minnesota)
Beautuful capture and setting.
Mr. Kooser is something special.
Beautiful…
lovely –
Beautifully written and beautiful image.
This reminds me of an episode of On Point with Tom Ashbrook that aired last week (find it here: http://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/02/26/atheist-secular-life-god-morality)
The line “the empty sleeve of the church” seems like a metaphor for the shrinking influence organized religion is having on more people today. The panel explored the question, “can you find/have morality without religion?”. I found it very interesting.
Thanks for sharing the Tom Ashbrook piece. I’ll be sure to check it out.
And you metaphor, is exactly where I landed with his words…deep and powerful.
Stunning photo..Ted Kooser, beautifully, poetic descriptive words really imprint within my mind a spot where I’d like to stop, pausing long enough to draw in a several deep breaths, along a winters walk – Christie
Yes. Each time I read one of his poems, I wish that I took that same walk with him. And have him do a poetic play-by-play of what he sees and feels.