“Abstract House 2” by Marleen Robbins
Li’s Box
i
little plot of land comprise my box
sectioned space, county measured
magnet dragged me from city clocks
block that has become my treasure
dimensions shift per mood and g.p.s.
inexact but close is good enough
house plopped, space stress-less,
filled with too much hoarded stuff
ii
within, please imagine 3 dimensions
collage of sky, wet, grass, dirt, trees,
rainbowed, pinwheeled life beneath sun
and moon, a cozy eco system of please.
plush, my nest, blessed for solitary queen,
no, make that three; small community fish;
at its heart an atrium jungled with green;
sprawled-about library; and less clutter (I wish)
iii
what’s strange is that my box keeps me
at last, in peace, contained, and safe;
to sip, each eve, hot mint-rooibos tea.
it busies days in dull and dashing ways
its staying put upon its garden home
coordinates your google earth can find
in poems sincere its praise I do intone
manifested dream sprung from my mind
iv
living diorama, this box within, upon a box
balancing sanctuary, seasons with no clocks
i describes the box
ii what’s in it
iii where I keep it
iv summarizing list
Inspired by Gillian Clarke’s poem, “My Box.” I tried to follow her style.
Kim is today’s host at dVerse’ Poetics. Kim says:
Your challenge today is to write a poem about your own metaphorical box. It doesn’t necessarily have to be about a relationship, but I would like it to be autobiographical, free verse, and in three stanzas similar to those in Clarke’s poem: the first stanza describes the box; the second what is in it; and the third where you keep it, with a summarising list in the final two lines.
Tao Talk 
Lucky are we that have our own little box. Nicely done today Lisa. Enjoyed CSN.
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Randy, a little luck, a whole lot of hard work, and a plenty of blessings from above. I love that song and that album. Funny to think that Graham and Joni were an item at one point.
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I was thinking about that same thing, it sounds like things were blissful, til Joni said it wasn’t I guess.
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I enjoyed exploring your box, Lisa, your little plot of land and your house ‘filled with too much hoarded stuff’. I love these lines:
‘collage of sky, wet, grass, dirt, trees,
rainbowed, pinwheeled life beneath sun
and moon, a cozy eco system of please’
and
‘living diorama, this box within, upon a box
balancing sanctuary, seasons with no clocks’.
Thank you also for the blast of Graham Nash’s love song to Joni.
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It’s always wonderful to find your sanctuary, one you’ve constructed to your needs. Just your description of it makes me happy. (K)
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Kerfe, it took me long enough to find it. Maybe next go-round I’ll get there right away. Thank you.
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All’s well that ends well.
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This is a wonderful presentation of your ‘box’ Lisa.
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Kim, many thanks <3
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I adore this, it could be my house…my favourite box in the world. I loved these lines
within, please imagine 3 dimensions
collage of sky, wet, grass, dirt, trees,
rainbowed, pinwheeled life beneath sun
and moon, a cozy eco system of please.
plush, my nest, blessed for solitary queen,
no, make that three;
A delight to read.
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Di, so happy it pleased you, and very happy it resonates with your happy place.
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A lovely description of your home Li
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Thank you, Sadje <3
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It’s my pleasure, always
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HI Lisa, I really enjoyed your box poem.
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:) Glad you enjoyed it.
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I love the description of your home (of which we have had a glimpse in a few of our live settings)… clutter I know too.
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Glad to hear you have your clutter also. Glad you enjoyed the description.
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Wow wow wow, I’m going with this as my fave part: living diorama, this box within, upon a box
balancing sanctuary, seasons with no clocks
Seasons with no clocks sounds very appealing to me!
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V, thanks. Seasons with no clocks is the best part ;)
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💐
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A “sanctuary” indeed, your “eco-system,” a “space,” a “nest” and so much more richly woven imagery of your house “staying put upon its garden home” keeping you “in peace, contained, and safe” — A comfort, refuge. A lovely “box.” Wonderfully wrought, Lisa, both as poem and home.
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Thanks much, Dora. It’s a ninja box ;)
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💞💞
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Li’s box is wonderful! Each section has its bit of treasure:
magnet dragged me from city clocks
block that has become my treasure
collage of sky, wet, grass, dirt, trees,
rainbowed, pinwheeled life beneath sun
and moon
what’s strange is that my box keeps me
at last, in peace, contained, and safe;
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<3 thanks much, Dale. Glad you like it.
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I did. I know what I want to write for mine but I’m a tad stuck!!
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Stuck how?
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In my mind it’s clear but it’s not coming through my fingers!
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Just type and you can sort it out afterwards. You subconscious knows. I’ve done exercises where I just shut my eyes and type.
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Right!
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I really love how, despite its small size, your box holds various dimensions, resembling a collage of nature! That is some fantastic imagery, Lisa <3
~David
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my soul tardis
small box, many dimensions
rides infinity
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