21 Comments
User's avatar
Tara Connor's avatar

I love these! The second one particularly speaks to me. I love windows as well and so enjoy walking through our neighborhood at night and catching glimpses of other peoples' bookshelves, lamps, the colors of their walls. It makes me happy to think about all those lives going on inside homes I'll likely never go inside of. I've got one I'm working on that has to do with the sounds coming in the windows. You make me want to go work on it. xo

26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Yes! Other peoples' work and conversation and music drifting in on the breeze ... so much to notice. Looking forward to that one, Tara!

Weston Parker's avatar

I wonder sometimes what life was like when glass was so precious that only the rich could afford it. How dark those windowless homes were.

26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Or how cold! There were plenty of windowless homes, and also plenty of homes with unglazed windows. Thiiiiick curtains....

Jeni Hankins's avatar

This makes me think about how I hardly ever walk down our street after dark. But when I do (with the Englishman), I like to see the glimpses through the illuminated windows. I get especially excited about people who have lots of books on bookshelves. I love your "yarrow tipped with foam." I made a dye from yarrow, but now I can't remember what color it made. I think it was yellow-green. Dream again, keep going, love. That's the five that came in my head. The Englishman says the most frequent word in my songs is "dream."

26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

I like your five words, Jeni, and I love all the places they take you! Thanks always for reading (and singing, and mending, and making, and tending-and-delighting, and ....). <3

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Favorite lines:

"...amid a froth of weeds..." (story of my life)

"...blind-slats in a shimmy / with dance beats."

I love that you were able to give your five-word answer so readily!

26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Amazing things grow amid a froth of weeds!

Thanks so much for reading, Elizabeth. <3

Mary Pierce's avatar

Wonderful! Reminds me of city life - fascinating- and country living--also fascinating. Thanks, Elizabeth!

26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thanks so much for reading (and restacking), Mary!

Mary Pierce's avatar

My pleasure!

Cindy Angyal's avatar

Cindy Angyal—

Loved all of your descriptive phrases!

“ jaded succulents".

“ nasturtiums in their cheerful, clumsy jumble”

Looking out your kitchen window at the city lights really open my eyes to what you see on any given day. I never thought about what your visions are from 26th Ave.

Living in a somewhat rural area -we see all kinds of birds, squirrels, and sometimes raccoons. it is so enjoyable to hear about all your. experiences and sights in San Francisco— all in poetic farm. Thank you, Elizabeth.!

26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Such a blessing to have you for a reader, sister Looocinda! Thank you, each and every.

(I miss seeing squirrels and other critters from my window! Birds, yes -- city birds, though, mostly. I was trying to decide, the other day, when the last time was that I saw a bluejay.)

Barbara Webb's avatar

Look out or look in my window and you will see a window that badly needs washing.

Maybe when I get back...

Auntie B

26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Safe travels, B.! Look through some windows while you're traveling, and come back and tell me what you see.

Melanie Bettinelli's avatar

The first poem paints such a vivid word picture. I can see the scene. The first line "Three empty black-slat patio chairs " has a lovely sound sequence and the echoing repetition in the second line is quite satisfying. It's a nice pairing of poems, the looking in and looking out.

26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thanks for such a thoughtful, appreciative reading, Melanie. <3

Sherri Maurin's avatar

“…….winking, four stories up

or twenty-four, rekindling sunset fire.”. love stepping into your visions!

26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

So glad you saw it there! Thanks always for reading, Sherri.

Kristine Neeley's avatar

“Windows, skies, things with roots.” - yes!!!

Love these window glimpses. Thank you for sharing. 🪟

26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)'s avatar

Thanks for standing at the window with me, Kristine. <3