Sunday, January 20, 2008

Stones

(for Paul Auster)

Because quarry stones
don’t have to tell – secrets are
hard, patient, quiet.

8 comments:

Ruela said...

like it...v. good.

The Site Administrator said...

Yes, it has a certain depth to it.

Russell Ragsdale said...

Hey Ruela, glad you liked it. Thanks for those happy words!

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks Richard! I'm glad to have your wise and well considered words.

Russell CJ Duffy said...

of all the poetic forms haiku and the works of basho are my favourites. you handled this like a modern master.
stones and blood and stones and secrets - both are never spilled and of course stones are as silent as they are patient as they are hard. hard like the truth.
splendid thought process this wonderful haiku invokes.

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks CJ! That is high praise indeed! I'm glad you found this to your liking. I love Basho too. Your extremely complementary words are much appreciated, my old friend!

Pat Paulk said...

Sounds like some people I know.Stone/stones is such a great poetic word. To me anyway.

Russell Ragsdale said...

Yeah, me too Pat. The world seems to be locked inside stones, I'm almost embarrased when I break one open. The writer this is dedicated to grew up next to a quarry in New Jersey. It is a very poetic word for him too. You should read some of his poetry from the 70's and 80's, if you haven't already. The long poem Approximate Man (I) is a real favorite of mine. Thanks for the fine comment my old friend.