Upon departing,
I thought to let the music play.
A presence was there, listening, sharing
The melancholy sweetness
Of an autumn afternoon. There was stillness
In the leaves of October, still greening
In the gentle sunlight.
There was stillness in my heart,
As I descended the stairs, almost dancing
Into the bright, tranquil air . . .

7 Responses to “The Welcome Guest”

1. oxygon Says:
   November 3rd, 2009 at 1:42 pm

   Hello, everyone! I’ve settled into my new residence, and I’ll be doing a lot of reading today, to play a little catchup. This little poem was written yesterday afternoon, after I returned home from shopping. It is just a reflection of mood and state of mind. I am really happy with my move.

   Art

2. littlebeknown Says:
   November 3rd, 2009 at 11:48 pm

   Art, I missed you — a whole week without an Oxygon poem. I like this one particularly — the mood of the speaker and the corresponding mood of the things around him — departing , the melancholy sweetnes, stillness in the leaves, stillness in my heart — but ending with “bright, tranquil air.” All parting should be like this. Thanks for the poem. Jerry

3. Roy Conant Says:
   November 4th, 2009 at 4:50 am

   Hey Art — The welcome guest celebrating your departure with you. That is a really sweet twist — It’s almost like this guest was there to help celebrate your departure, the unwelcome guest! This is also a really nice contra to your other poems about your unwelcome guest. There’s a lot going on in this short piece that would take a tome to explicated — I get it, but I sure can’t say it in less than 1,000 times the lines you wrought. Great poem, Art! This to you from Ventura, CA

4. Ida Werrett Says:
   November 4th, 2009 at 2:59 pm

   This sets a very pleasant mood, Art, good way to start my day. Have you moved into your new place yet?
   Ida

5. oxygon Says:
   November 4th, 2009 at 4:55 pm

   Hello, Ida, yes indeed! I have moved, and I’m very pleased with it all. I think the move is part of the inspiration for my little poem. It is very beautiful and peaceful here, and I look forward to better things. It’s good to back on the site, and I’ll be back on track soon.

   Art

6. oxygon Says:
   November 4th, 2009 at 4:57 pm

   Hey — Roy, thanks for the wonderful comment, it added so much to my day! Hope you’re having a great time in Ventura.

   Art

7. oxygon Says:
   November 4th, 2009 at 5:01 pm

   Hello, Jerry, and thanks for the comment. Would that it were so that all departures could be so sweet! I missed being online as well, and it’s great to be back in the company of friends. I really enjoyed your “latest” post.

   Art

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