Jake
12-03-2003, 03:48 AM
I will begin by considering the frame:
It is heartwood of southern yellow pine stained walnut.
There are late Victorian surrounds that rise to an ornate crown
and end in a Sheraton finial.
The sash divides light over light
and the crosshatched mullions break
sand-fused glass to diamonds and triangles
that stream down light like an old painting where the artist employed God
as a metaphor.
The light’s bent geometry squares, warms a spot on an oriental rug
where my old dog circles once then sleeps unaware of the minute bits
of dust that cover her delicate eyebrows and whiskers in a silent rehearsal
for a later time and place.
The bottom light is attached to cotton ropes that are in turn connected
to lead weights that ride up and down inside the casement to ease the lift.
The lock-downs and other closures are hand-forged brass butterflies and buttonhooks
connecting porcelain knobs that move ratchet wheels
engaging a pawl in opening or in closing.
The sill is a simple rectangle running slightly greater
than the frame proper and has a slightly beveled edge.
But what catches my attention above all this description is a common housefly.
It is dead and lies crumpled on it’s side. But what catches my attention even more
is it’s large complex green iridescent eye that stares at me like the marble gaze
of a thousand statues.
Come look out the window with me.
There is nothing coming to save our life. is there.
It is heartwood of southern yellow pine stained walnut.
There are late Victorian surrounds that rise to an ornate crown
and end in a Sheraton finial.
The sash divides light over light
and the crosshatched mullions break
sand-fused glass to diamonds and triangles
that stream down light like an old painting where the artist employed God
as a metaphor.
The light’s bent geometry squares, warms a spot on an oriental rug
where my old dog circles once then sleeps unaware of the minute bits
of dust that cover her delicate eyebrows and whiskers in a silent rehearsal
for a later time and place.
The bottom light is attached to cotton ropes that are in turn connected
to lead weights that ride up and down inside the casement to ease the lift.
The lock-downs and other closures are hand-forged brass butterflies and buttonhooks
connecting porcelain knobs that move ratchet wheels
engaging a pawl in opening or in closing.
The sill is a simple rectangle running slightly greater
than the frame proper and has a slightly beveled edge.
But what catches my attention above all this description is a common housefly.
It is dead and lies crumpled on it’s side. But what catches my attention even more
is it’s large complex green iridescent eye that stares at me like the marble gaze
of a thousand statues.
Come look out the window with me.
There is nothing coming to save our life. is there.