deepundergroundpoetry.com
ptaŋyétu
crisp tang sweetly crosses
my parched lips;
fruit and roses ripen and bloom
your skin comes to mind
its blossoming flows familiar paths
until it rests warmly
in the depth of my cold belly
frost is already creeping
upon the golden plain
though Autumn has scarcely
had time to prepare
the way
unfocused eyes won’t obey
the open book upon my lap;
three hours have passed
I wonder how you are today
and I can’t remember a thing
of the last 50 pages
parking lots are treacherous,
glossy ice makes mockery
of the most cautious of steps;
even the sky has turned his back
and the sun stays cozy in bed
an old lambs’ wool blanket
with origins long forgotten
wraps gracious arms around me
I wonder if it’s warm where you are
a snug afternoon nap is seductive,
calling me softly to rest
my parched lips;
fruit and roses ripen and bloom
your skin comes to mind
its blossoming flows familiar paths
until it rests warmly
in the depth of my cold belly
frost is already creeping
upon the golden plain
though Autumn has scarcely
had time to prepare
the way
unfocused eyes won’t obey
the open book upon my lap;
three hours have passed
I wonder how you are today
and I can’t remember a thing
of the last 50 pages
parking lots are treacherous,
glossy ice makes mockery
of the most cautious of steps;
even the sky has turned his back
and the sun stays cozy in bed
an old lambs’ wool blanket
with origins long forgotten
wraps gracious arms around me
I wonder if it’s warm where you are
a snug afternoon nap is seductive,
calling me softly to rest
Published 25th Oct 2020
Author's Note
ptaŋyétu is the term that the Lakota people of the Dakotas gave to describe the long cold season that begins as early as September and lasts as late as June.
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 12
reading list entries 8
comments 10
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Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
Anonymous
25th Oct 2020 1:03am
I want to crawl under this poem near a crackling fire; it is that warm and inviting, aided and abedded by your contrast of winter's harshness.
Could one of those "cozy"s be replaced with a synonym?
I hope you get your answers.
Could one of those "cozy"s be replaced with a synonym?
I hope you get your answers.
25th Oct 2020 1:09am
25th Oct 2020 1:56am
Lovely endearing warmth. Nicely paced, syllabic harmony is mellifluous. 💖🙏🏻
25th Oct 2020 1:20am
25th Oct 2020 1:10am
Just beautiful Luna you pulled me in alongside you to experience that "cozy"
Following Mary's comment I was thinking the same thing about (crosses)
Perhaps I read too fast
Another great spill
Following Mary's comment I was thinking the same thing about (crosses)
Perhaps I read too fast
Another great spill
25th Oct 2020 1:19am
Oof, I actually meant to fix that before it posted and forgot; it’s fixed now, thank you V 💜!
25th Oct 2020 4:49pm
25th Oct 2020 4:55pm
26th Oct 2020 00:59am
Dear L,
I’ve truly enjoyed the ideas this poem put in my head of autumn colors and cold crisp air. A drowsy afternoon thinking of people and crushes I haven't thought of ages. I also enjoyed learning the definition of ptaŋyétu. I had lesser luck trying to pronounce it properly- so I made up my own pronunciation. Lovely piece. H🌷
I’ve truly enjoyed the ideas this poem put in my head of autumn colors and cold crisp air. A drowsy afternoon thinking of people and crushes I haven't thought of ages. I also enjoyed learning the definition of ptaŋyétu. I had lesser luck trying to pronounce it properly- so I made up my own pronunciation. Lovely piece. H🌷
26th Oct 2020 2:55am
I’ve been hearing it for six years and it’s still hard to get it right 😅. Thank you so much as always, Honoria. It’s such an honor to be among those you choose to read 💜.
