Capturing multiple moments

I love the way a Pantoum can capture multiple moments and weave dreamy thoughts in and out like basketweaving or collage. So where did all that stuff come from? The Beech tree moment I'll write about another time. This morning on our walk, Baskin saw and "nosed" two Box turtles, but didn't try to "play" with them--the result of 11 years of training. Has he finally learned, or is he just bored with them now? The workshop I did at the cemetery yesterday brought back one of my favorite lines from a Theodore Roethke poem. Why didn't I remember it yesterday? And finally, when I was a child, I would be gently lulled to sleep at naptime by the sound of the washing machine in the basement. I was doing laundry while writing the pantoum, and everything sort of tumbled around together in my brain.

How's that for over-explaining? Oh well...

If you want the formula for writing a Pantoum, here it is:

1 2 3 4
2 6 4 8
6 10 8 12
10 14 12 16
14 3 16 1

Time to put the wash in the dryer. Wonder what will tumble forth next?

The Beech trees, Box turtles, spirits of the dead...with apologies to Theodore Roethke

The Beech tree sings in a light rain,
the dog has finally learned,
and the dead begin from their dark
to sing in my sleep.

The dog has finally learned
to leave the Box turtles alone
to sing in my sleep,
along with the whirr of the washing machine.

Leaving the Box turtles alone,
I visit the cemetery by day,
along with the whirr of the washing machine
as the lives of the dead begin to stir.

I visit the cemetery by day
listening to new voices
as the lives of the dead begin to stir
and write their stories down.

Listening to new voices,
as the dead begin from their dark
to write their stories down,
the Beech tree sings in a light rain.