In the Details: Nobody Stops You

The theme of my poetry for this week is: ardor.

"Ardor" rhymes in American English with the word "harder," unlike the British pronounciation, which sounds more like "our door." 

I chose this theme with a nod to Valentine's Day, but instead of chosing "love" -- which can get wrapped up in the idea of romantic love -- I really liked the idea of "ardor" -- which implies passion or fervor. That passion can be about a person, or about something.

--

Nobody Stops You

Nobody knocks on the door
Nobody says, you can come in,
Harold: This is where you live. 

Nobody makes a tray of creme puffs and
Ham sandwiches and a pitcher of
Iced tea with fresh mint and
Invites a few friends to
Celebrate things being done.

Nobody
Stops you, Harold, on the way
To the barn and says:
"Wait Harold, don't feed those
Chickens just now because it's more
Important that you 
Paint the edge of the sky
You stopped yourself
From finishing." 
Mostly
Nobody
Will knock, Harold, and celebrations
Will just be
Breathing-- 

And you'll have to eat
Ham sandwiches you make
From those pigs you're raising
Out back,
Harold--
But please
Don't put down that brush and
Leave clouds
Motherless. 

Don't say: 
No one came.
Say:
I never bothered to look up.

--

My thanks to Mark Hannon and the Stratford Arts Guild.

--

This post is part of a the poetry series, "" -- daily poetry and photos, inspired by where we live. 

Follow Elizabeth on Twitter @smallstate or online at elizabethhoward.net.