Kit Johnston’s poem Weather War appeared here in July 2010. This poem presents another view of something to live for.
L’Heure Bleu
By Kit Johnston
By Kit Johnston
There are times when
you are so blue,
you wonder what comes next.
And, you do not try to answer.
Because you really do not care.
Then comes the bumble bee,
driving himself
into the heart of a daffodil
at twilight.
Lying still and still.
Watching, you stroke him.
And he THRUMS into your finger!
A sweet, surprise vibration–a bumble buzz–
And you take that
You take that and live.
I absolutely love this poem. Amazing!
I relate to this as a poem about depression (or life, the same thing sometimes) and how some palpable experience — in this case literally palpable — some vibration of the so-called ‘life force’ can tickle you back from the brink. The sun through the trees, the sound of water on a metal roof or running through a wash after a sudden spring shower, the smell of honeysuckle, a ripe peach, a lover’s touch, or even — especially — the bumble bee, so full of life and purpose, these are the brief sparks of ‘the divine’, like God breathing life into Man formed of dust, that can keep our inner fires burning through the bluest hour.
Your language and syntax, your use of repetition, the musicality of these few lines, this poem, it is another of these touches, it thrums into my poet-finger and inspires me (inspire: to breathe in) to take that and take that, and live.
Amazing. TAKE THAT! This phrase has new meaning now. Thanks for turning things around in a very powerful way. This is a fine example of pure poetry.
Well done. Vivid, short, and powerful.