“Ode to the Dirt Underneath My Feet, From Sitting All Spring at My Computer” by Rae Cobbs

238 Replies

Summertime, before the solstice, I’m barefoot before breakfast
or even morning coffee. My feet encounter a coarse veil of dirt.
Today, my poems, diligent and felt, stand up and stretch, a pack
of dogs. They shake the dust out of their fur. They stop to scratch
behind their ears. They sniff each other’s privacy and stalk off
to find their own.

I’m going to let them run. I need to clean my closets and sweep
it all, take out the trash and Goodwill bags. The stacks of books
I winnow through and bring back to the table, joined with mail
and papers I should read or file or toss—I should do it all today.
I will do what I can: the work is heavy with the life I try to leave
for another time,

another source of energy.

-Rae Cobbs

238 thoughts on ““Ode to the Dirt Underneath My Feet, From Sitting All Spring at My Computer” by Rae Cobbs”

  2. michael benton

    This put a big smile on my face “Today, my poems, diligent and felt, stand up and stretch, a pack of dogs. They shake the dust out of their fur. They stop to scratch
    behind their ears. They sniff each other’s privacy and stalk off
    to find their own”

    Great imagery!

    Reply ↓

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