Dato/Non Dato*

with thanks and apologies to P

You gave me
black olives
mozzarella

baci
handblown glass
earrings from Venice

fine paper book
empty pages
waiting

two
concert tickets
you couldn't go

flew to Venice
instead missing
you

I
bought you
a blue bowl

daisies and peacock-spots
matches your
table-linens

ungiven
Christmas present
you'd like it

it's sitting on
my credenza
unfilled.

---
*Italian: Given/Not Given
This poem is written in a hay(na)ku form.

Comments

[MB]

A poignant poem, Leslee. I enjoyed the way you alternated form, stanza by stanza. This is a relatively new form to me, haven't seen much of it, so thanks for the link.

[Keith]

after reading that wish I could come up with something more profound than "Wow". Great imagery.

[Lorianne]

What's the emoticon for energetic applause & perhaps an appreciative whistle or two?

[Jean]

The form, going in and out, up and down, is so evocative of fluctuating, still unresolved emotion. And the ungiven christmas present such a bright, poignant, wonderfully specific symbol. Lovely.

[leslee]

Thanks, all. I appreciate your appreciation. I feel rusty from not touching poetry (reading or writing) for awhile.

What's the emoticon for taking a bow?

[mary]

I love the way the individual items contribute to the overall feel of the poem. And in spite of the poem's poignancy there is a at the same time something uplifting about it as well - the olives and the earrings and the blue bowl. And the final word: unfilled. Mmmm. Really good Leslee - the poem says it all.

[grumpygirl]

beautiful, leslee.

now take the bowl and smash it into the fireplace. trust me.

[leslee]

Thanks, Mary. Yes, I really meant the gratitude in it.

Alyssa: Like hell! I spent a lot of money on it. It's actually a baking dish. I'm
keeping it!

[Lorianne]

You keep that bowl & use it, girlfriend. It won't be unfilled for long. ;-)

[Joanna]

Loriane, I second that emoticon! This is fine writing--love the imagery.

[Joe]

Wonderful. I felt like there was music behind this as I read it. Poetry is such a powerful medium, I reread this piece several times to absorb it, this is grand.

[leslee]

Wow. Thank you, guys. I'm glad you enjoyed it. You're encouraging me to continue.

[Peter]

Ahhhhh. I love your poetry.

Thanks for this.

[leslee]

:-)

[qB]

Gosh. I love this.

[Jillaurie]

Hi Leslee - seeing if I can post.