I started writing this poem
It began with a clear thought
Like water
Then a word came floating
Like a bird to a branch and sang
Then there was someone calling
So I thought I would go out and see
Who was calling Juanita!
But I did not honor that thought
I stayed in the same place
And made a sound with my shoe
By rubbing my sole against the floor
I rested my head on the heel of my palm
And looked out the window beyond the garden
I saw a little mountain in the distance
Which disappeared and I thought
All we have in the garden now is delicata
But how good they are so sweet
So I asked the snail to lock the gate
The snail said, When have I not locked the gate?
......................
This poem inspired by Donovan's song "First there is a mountain" is a simple celebration of and evocation of Donovan's spacey, trippy lyricism that left so much to the imagination.
Excerpted lyrics of "First there is a mountain:
Oh Juanita, oh Juanita, oh Juanita, I call your name
Oh, the snow will be a blinding sight to see as it lies on yonder hillside
The lock upon my garden gate's a snail, that's what it is
The lock upon my garden gate's a snail, that's what it is
Caterpillar sheds his skin to find a butterfly within
Caterpillar sheds his skin to find a butterfly within
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is
First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is
First there is a mountain
(Article changed on Sep 10, 2023 at 8:10 AM EDT)
(Article changed on Sep 10, 2023 at 8:34 AM EDT)
