Woke this morning to two inches of snow as we measured it on the patio table and vehicles. It’s the first substantial amount of snow we’ve gotten since we moved here (August of 2010). We tend to get less snow, and rain, than other places in Albuquerque.
I took pictures, then, back inside, read about the HBO documentary about Mildred and Richard Loving, released yesterday on Valentine’s Day. The Miami Herald’s article says, “Ultimately, this is a film about love and race and tolerance,” says Nancy Buirski, who directed the documentary. “It is a reminder to the public that we need to experience each other’s humanity, that we need to get to know each other and respect each other.” Thanks to the Lovings, Tom and I are legal in all 50 states, although we wouldn’t have been in Alabama as recently as 2000.
Last night I watched a story about Amanda Rich and April Parker, partners for nine years, who yesterday, on Valentine’s Day, locked themselves together with bicycle locks at the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office, after they were denied a marriage license because New Mexico doesn’t have marriage equality. Amanda and April were arrested after blocking access to the counter, saying “I’m sorry, but until we can get a marriage license, no one else can get a marriage license today.”
All of this – snow, love, civil rights, what has been done, what’s yet to be accomplished – was swirling in my head when I wrote this poem. Happy day after Valentine’s Day to you all.
….
Snow Fall Near San Mateo and Gibson
This morning the weight of snow
bends rosemary branches to the ground.
The lilac, its early striving toward buds
enrobed by winter.
The mountain gives way to heat-rayed sun
rising over the payday loan store.
The first snow loosens, drops, shaped to a measured curve
as if it still wrapped the power lines.
Its descent a crossing
of boundaries, snow to water to humid air.
Below, the sand softens.
February 15th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Snow and we missed it! Gray day in Savannah today but having fun…
February 15th, 2012 at 1:47 pm
You should see the mountains – gorgeous. It must be beautiful up at your house. You’re probably feeling a little warmer, though, than we are here.
February 17th, 2012 at 10:55 am
you should definitely be submitting your work ! Check out:
http://themastequilareview.wordpress.com/submissions/
and : http://www.kpgurney.me/AdobeWalls/Submissions.html
and The DitchRider’s Blog on DukeCityFix.com :
http://www.dukecityfix.com/profiles/blog/list?user=278nz5pzp12my
to name a couple places…
February 17th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Thanks, Jenn! I have, I do, I will, I promise! Adobe Walls and The DitchRider have taken pieces, and I’m encouraged to see your recommendation of Mas Tequila Review, because I’ve been thinking of them. I think I think too much about where to submit instead of just keeping the stuff out there. It’s just so much more fun to write.
February 26th, 2012 at 7:02 am
We never saw snow down here at the bosque. I keep waiting for it, although with overnight temps around 43, I should realize it won’t happen, not this year.
This morning the geese fly overhead, and I wonder if you see them up in your neighborhood or if they keep close to the river.
Such a beautiful poem, full of that heavy wet snowy wonder.
February 26th, 2012 at 7:42 am
Thank you.
No geese this morning except for the honker in the backyard down the street. We have a bunch of chirpers, not honkers, in the yard, but, due to my infrequent distribution of bird seed this winter, I think they’re trying to figure out if I really will keep those two feeders stocked now. I saw quite a few geese in the fall, but if they’re smart they’ll stick to the river.
No rain or snow up here this morning, just brilliant sun and clear blue sky that means I’ll be spending some of my Sunday watering the trees and shrubs. AND WRITING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe about geese, water, trees and shrubs. Who knows?
March 23rd, 2012 at 10:05 am
you should submit here too: http://200newmexicopoems.wordpress.com/
March 23rd, 2012 at 10:43 am
“But I did,” she cried in frustration. Three poems, back on February 17, and haven’t heard of things. One, “Postcard to New Mexico,” (catchy title, right?) even took a line from, and acknowledged, and was in response to Dee Cohen’s “Slouching Toward ABQ.” Specifically, the DitchRider’s posting of it on The other two might have been a bit out there for the site, the more I see of what’s going up there, but I think PTNM is a good fit. Oh, well, I’m off to finish up the chapbook I’m sending off to Diagram/New Michigan Press. Thanks for your encouragement!
March 23rd, 2012 at 11:16 am
oh. well. I am submitting a poem
it’s also a bit out there, it’s called Rainbow Gathering in the Jemez, 2009 not so catchy a title
March 23rd, 2012 at 11:35 am
Great – glad to hear it. Catchy enough title – I think I heard about that gathering all the way up in Michigan. Good luck.