Lavender

Dec 26, 2020 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

OCDC

The bar of soap
sits precisely in the shower
with the dove resting upright,
lest she feels the need to fly.

The canned veggies all face forward
waiting to shout their names
when I open the cupboard door -
"No Salt Added Sweet Peas!"

The socks all have loyal mates:
crew, no-show (shy-babies),
ankle, dress-
all sorted together by color and size.

The car is parked
twelve inches on either side.
The bookmark peeks up
ever-so-slightly
from the closed pages,

the mail is opened,
shredded or recycled,
and the pillows are fluffed regularly -
but. not. too. hard.

What boggles my brain
and sends this compulsive
heart into fury and sweat
is the "coming to terms"

with the tilted axis of the earth
and the desire to wrap my arms
around all of us, give a firm crick,
and center this unbalanced world

to keep the poor living souls
at the North Pole from someday
tumbling off into a black mass of
chaotic oblivion.

***

About This Poem

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Country/Region: United States

Favorite Poets: I tend to read Ted Kooser, Jim Harrison, Billy Collins, Paul Simon, Robert Frost. I like minimalist poetry, and poems reflecting on nature and Mother Earth.

This user supports Neopoet so it can be free to all

Comments

Lavender

4 years 6 months ago

Hello, Mark

This was a bit fun to write. "Trippy" is a great description! :)
Thank you for reading! Take care!
L

Lavender

4 years 6 months ago

Hello, Teddy!

I am so glad you enjoyed this!
Thank you! xxx
L

Obadiah Grey

4 years 6 months ago

this made me smile!

this made me smile!
thanks.

obi.

Lavender

4 years 6 months ago

Hi, Obi

Thank you for reading and your wonderful comment!
L

chima ononogbu

4 years 6 months ago

Nice

So nicely put together to strike up a conversation relating to life, as well as give the mind something to pleasure in. Thanks for sharing.

Lavender

4 years 6 months ago

Hello, Chimaono

Thank you for reading! I appreciate your comments!
L

Geezer

4 years 6 months ago

some people that have OCDC. I think that it is tuly amazing that some of the hardest hit ones get through the day. They HAVE to go back and check a dozen times to makes sure that stove is off, a certain light is left on, the door is locked and they have everything they need while they are out. I realize that there are certain levels that let one behave in the manner you speak of, but for others, it is a daily trial, minute by minute and hour by hour. I like the way you have portrayed the one you speak of, they have a such a regard for the rest of the world that, they can perceive it as being what is messed up and not themselves. Good write! ~ Geez.
.

Lavender

4 years 6 months ago

Hi, Geezer

I feel for those with a more serious condition, too. A challenge for certain. After posting this, I realized I accidentally gave the fourth stanza 5 lines instead of, as in the original poem, 4, as with all the other stanzas. I tell myself "leave it be!" :)
Thank you, Geezer!
L

Geezer

4 years 6 months ago

I was...

so engrossed with your tale, that I did not even notice that you had inserted that 5th line! I guess that says something about how good it is! Congratulations on a fine piece of work. ~ Geez.
.