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Grace of Ground
by Glenn CurrierTwo leaves hang onto the peak branch
refusing to leave the height,
their brothers and sisters fallen,
relenting to the cooling winds of late autumn.
Soon one of the duo releases his grasp.
There he goes flying on an updraft
heralding his freedom
whistling in the wind
a ballad of painful love.
The single holdout,
white-knuckled grip
clinging to the tree
unable to see ahead
an unattached life,
fearing the brown death
and the grave below,
never considering the possibilities
that lie in the silent grace
of ground.
11/21/2007 Author's Note: The decision of whether to retire is hidden in this poem, particularly symbolic in this season.
Posted on 11/21/2007
Copyright © 2025 Glenn Currier
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Mary Frances Spencer on 11/21/07 at 03:38 PM Loosen that grasp and fly! MFS |
| Posted by Charlie Morgan on 11/21/07 at 03:40 PM ...oh, glenn, knowing you and of whom you speak this is quite an existental pome annnd good one...i love the visions re: retirement and the silent grace of "ground"...heavy--and the/your white knockle hanging on, eh?..., lovely...peace, bro, chaz |
| Posted by Michelle Angelini on 11/21/07 at 05:56 PM Being close to retirement age, yet not being able to do it, I think I can understand your holding on. You must love what you do, but value the freedom you'd have by retiring. Thank you for sharing, poetically and symbolically, a tough decision weighing on your mind. When the time comes, I know you'll instinctively know which decision is right. Bless you Glenn. Teachers are my heroes!
~Chelle~ |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 11/22/07 at 04:18 PM Quite a compelling analogy (given your note)! Retirement really scares some people. I really delight in it myself! There is great grace in it! |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 11/24/07 at 04:31 PM Excellent anaology Glenn, and as you note very well timed. |
| Posted by Jean Mollett on 11/25/07 at 04:54 AM Hi Glenn,
Great write. If ya don't want to retired totally, work part time, just a few days a week, etc. I also agree with Michelle and Que. |
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