Laura Gilfillan's Blog - Posts Tagged "poetry"

The mess on the desk is tall and long
Deep and wide
Piled sky high
The mess on the desk doesn't want to stay put
It slides down the sides
And spreads on the floor
The mess on the desk creeps towards the door
And way out beyond
Now the mess on the desk is a whole house wide

Laura Gilfillan
11-30-2010

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

W.H. Davies

This poem captures such an essential point. Sometimes I feel like life is passing me by, that I get so caught up in the "busy's" and daily cares, that I don't get a chance to truly appreciate what life is. I remember that as a child I spent much time standing and staring, but now it does not seem so easy to take that opportunity. This poem is an eloquent reminder that if we don't value the beauty around us, then we will have a poor life indeed.

I remember when you were small
And I held you close
And I was your all.

So tiny
So precious
So fleeting

Now you've grown
And I'm so very proud.

But I miss that time when you were small.


Laura Gilfillan
March 9, 2012

I hate it when summer ends. I wrote this poem one autumn to help comfort myself, and try to come to terms with the changing of the seasons.


The sun is still shining,
And the breeze lightly blowing.
The trees are still clothed in their
lovely green gowns,
So let us dance on while the music still plays.
On into the evening,
a swirl with colors.
Until the dance of the
white-clothed night begins.
And goes on.
Til the sun, and the seasons,
call us to life once more.

Laura Gilfillan
Oct. 1990

I lived in NYC for a while, and this poem is a reflection of how I felt.


New York

Barren and cold
Its heart is steel
Its body concrete
Its fleas are human


Laura Gilfillan
1987

Willow Tree

Its branches hang down
like graceful strings of tears,
Some turning yellow.

The wind blows;
they sway sadly.

O willow tree,
Mourn for us,
Mourn for us,
For our lives are full of grief.

Laura Gilfillan
2003

Standing on the outside
even when it's cold
You have your independence
but you take it all alone


Laura Gilfillan
2014









View more on Laura Gilfillan's website

This poem made me think about how we should appreciate the things we love while we have them.































View more on Laura Gilfillan's website

This poem is a humorous reminder that after all is said and done, we're still just people.
































View more on Laura Gilfillan's website

I think I'd walk away playing. Slowly. And come back another day, to please those who are poor and really enjoy it. And maybe get another big tip from the one who wants me to leave. What would you do?


































View more on Laura Gilfillan's website