Saturday, December 10, 2011

A Knot in the Wood

The perfect grain interrupted.
Calm color of honey displaced
by russet and black ulcers.

I wait for the new cabinet to arrive.
One unified slice of wood, no blemish,
stain or fault; run my hand along
smooth, cool wood and stop short.

I see them side by side, perfect and flawed.
Clear to me now, I crate up the new
cabinet and gaze at the beauty of the
knotted old one.  Knots display character.

10 comments:

Peggy said...

Great Judy--and by this time in life we are all a bit knotty! Thank goodness it means character!

Shersim said...

Ah yes, those little imperfections that show the world who we are. Love it! Perfection can sit on the shelf for a lot longer.

Ann said...

Here's to knottiness! Knotty pine was HUGE in the 50s and 60s and my Dad created Mom's dream knotty pine kitchen. When they sold the house and moved down the street they were crushed to see the knotty pine lumber torn out and piled for the garbage pickup. I still picture places where knotty wood might work.

Mary said...

I agree with you, Judy. "Knots" do display character.....and I know I sure have enough of them!

Willow said...

Wonderful and true, Judy…my throat caught, I thought you would keep the new, and then the surprise and wonderful ending.

Lynne said...

Nothing more perfect than the imperfect, Judy. Beautiful poem.

Maxwell Mead Williams Robinson Barry said...

descriptive and beautiful, smiles.

Bill said...

Like a tree. trunk straight and true. How boring. I like the trees that meander everywhere. To me it shows character.

Anonymous said...

nice analysis

Brian Miller said...

knots do add so much you know...i am rather fond of the imperfect...