I get up early while you’re still asleep;
avoid the cats while creeping down the stairs,
try not to wake you with my leaden feet,
and stumble over work boots into chairs.
The floor is cold, and so’s the toilet seat,
the sink is laced with toothpaste and stray hairs.
The cat tray smells and they both want to eat;
I need some tea before I sort out theirs.
I grab a rug as I search for a pen –
a chill hangs in the early morning air.
I raise the blind and look out at the garden
where the half-light and shade conceal a deer.
From dawn’s faint light a sonnet’s words appear,
reminding me why I love living here.
Kim M. Russell, 3rd January 2019
Another sonnet for dVerse Poets Pub Meeting the Bar: the Sonnet
This is a rewrite of a sonnet I wrote during NaPoWriMo 2017, which some of you might remember was originally called ‘Sunday Morning Inspiration’.
I like those slightly grim, mundane details, and then the sudden uplift of the sighting of the deer transcends it all. Beautifully done.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thanks Sarah!
LikeLike
Agreed!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautiful! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
You have real talent! Thank you for sharing this poem. I have been sleepwalking a lot lately. I totally relate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much. 🙂
LikeLike
A beautiful sight to take in and how easily it can transform a typical day to a much better one. It sounds like a lovely place to be.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is, Mish! Although it’s looking a bit tatty at the moment. Lots of clearing up to do once the weather gets warmer.
LikeLike
Another lovely sonnet Kim 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Christine. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The twist at the end is very effective!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Dwight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This made me chuckle several times, great write!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much Rob! It’s morning again and I’m getting ready to read and comment. Can’t wait to see what has been written and posted during the night. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely done, Kim. I’ve had mornings like that (substitute coffee for tea)–and even once when I saw a baby deer when I went out to pick up the newspaper. Both the mundane and the magical inspire us. The final couplet is perfect.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love the wildlife that visits our garden, with the exception of rats. Luckily, our big cat Luna is a great little hunter and she’s scared them away!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohhh–I would not like to see rats!
LikeLiked by 2 people
We see them occasionally – one of the perks of living by a river!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice line: “From dawn’s faint light a sonnet’s words appear,”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Frank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The contrast and between the grit of going up to the chores of cleaning and feeding to the light coming in with the vision of a deer really bring the sonnet alive for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
From the mundane to the sublime. Don’t you love those magical moments?
LikeLiked by 2 people
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, an extraordinary moment in an ordinary day…thanks for sharing your inspiration, Kim!
LikeLiked by 2 people
😊
LikeLike
your couplet is the epitome of a grateful heart
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I relate to seeing the deer through the fog of early morning routine. It’s happened to me occasionally as well and one treasures it. Loved the theme of your sonnet.
LikeLiked by 2 people
😊
LikeLike
I enjoyed this so much, cat hair and deer and all. A delight to read.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Sherry!
LikeLike
the day-to-day – the minutia of lives, they really make it or break it, and set a tone and pace, for the mornings, the promise of the unknown — I love the feeling like I’ve just tumbled out of bed with you (wow, that sounds weird – LOL) … and am walking with you, listening to the day begin, feeling it – the cold, the chill, and then the freshness of the almost (I presume the cats have their say) stillness, – and the joy of the discovery …
this is fresh and lovely and most excellently lyrical 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for honest appreciation and detailed comment! When I get up in the morning, I’ll greet as we tumble out of bed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL …. I’m much the same way – with 2 dogs and 1 cat, who, naturally is equal to 3 – and all the wildlife here …
LikeLiked by 2 people
What everyone else said!
LikeLiked by 3 people
😊
LikeLike
Ditto!
LikeLiked by 2 people
This was great! Nature has a way of inspiring us to bring out our fullest potential. Seeing a deer is just cool!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to know im not the only one who has that cold toilet experience lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
I get inspiration from reading selected posts, hopefully short and to the point. Take my morning walk and by the time I’m done I have the outlines for two are three posts!
I’m retired and 77 but pass for 60 or less. My doctor’s would agree. My family doctor recently looked at my bloodwork and asked, ‘How did you do this?’
Everything was normal!
Well it’s lifestyle!
What you eat, drink, think and do!
Plain and simple like me!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for reading and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that was beautiful! And lucky you! A deer!!what a wonderful morning 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Amy!
LikeLike
Great post! Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading and commenting!
LikeLike