ABANDONED HOUSE

Ted Kooser wrote a poem titled  "Abandoned House." In his poem he paints a picture of a family that lived a rather destitute life in a country house. I have selected a few of Kooser's lines to portray the depravity that led ultimately to the house's abandonment.

He was a big man, says the size of his shoes . . .

A woman lived with him, says the bedroom wall
papered with lilacs . . .

Money was scarce . . .

Something went wrong, says the empty house . . .

she left in a nervous haste.

Perhaps the family lived in an old country home like the one I have pictured here. Now almost biting the dust.

I'm sure you have had  thoughts about who the persons were that once occupied an uninhabited house along some farm road. 

Mr. Kooser uses words to draw pictures, attempting to capture the lives that once existed in his poem's vacant house.

Ted Kooser was the Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004 -2006.He has had nineteen books published on poetry. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his book titled Delights and Shadows. He also has illustrated children's books. 

Source: "Abandoned House," Sure Signs, New Selected Poems, Ted Kooser, Zoland Books

Photos: abandoned farm house, Madison County, Kentucky

SUNDIALS, POEMS, AND TIME -- Sunday Simplicities

SUNDIAL -- ABOUT THIRTY YEARS OLD
(Located at Garrard County Historical Society)

If you are like me, you don't wear a watch. I seem to manage alright through the day with swift glances intermittently at my stove clock. If you aren't like me you probably wear a watch. All this 'time watching" began with a type of mechanical measurement called the  sundial which was invented specifically to tell time in 1500 BC.  Today, one can find sundials in all shapes and forms to tell accurate time, from pocket size to large sizes usually found in parks. 

Before clocks and watches, folks depended on some type of sun dial or some natural  sun and shade based design, such as with sticks or stones placed on the ground to get an idea of  time passing. Other means could be used such as simply being deeply in touch with mother earth. Time as we know it now, and then, reflects our inner sense of  its fleeting nature. 

The sundial form most folks are familiar with is the garden variety, the photo above is an example. Usually made with artistic style, especially the older ones, they lend a lovely ambiance to the yard. 

FLAT METAL TOP OF SUNDIAL

One artistic aspect of a sundial that I especially like is the poetry and prose associated with it. On the outer edge of the sundial above are the words; Count none but the sunny hours.


Henry Van Dyke (1852 - 1933) made a few contributions to sundial poems. I find them thoughtful. I will close my post with two of his poems below. 

Sun Dial At Wells College

The shadow of my finger cast

Divides the future from the past

Before it, sleeps the unborn hour.

In darkness, and beyond thy power

Beyond its unrelenting line,

The vanished hour, no longer thine.

One hour alone in thy hands --

The NOW on which the shadow stands. 

AND 

Katrina's Sundial

Hours fly

Flowers die

New days

New ways

Pass by

Love stays

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Additional information links
Wikipedia
Helga Nordhoff website