Man Uphill by Sandi Solis
Walking to the Courthouse by Raymond A. Foss
Walking to the courthouse
to make copies for a pending case
no urgent brisk walk for arguments,
for the challenge of court, a purposeful
but easier walk, to the Clerk’s Office
to check the file, review and prepare
for another day, a few weeks from now
Time to notice the little things along
my path, the signs of fall, of leaves,
feathers, milkweed pods, seeds
and the crunch of the litter of the season
on the sidewalk, the edge of the yards
little bits of the debris, the clutter
of urban life, the little dramas in the
the back alleys, the side lawns
the broken stairs, the angels and gnomes
in the yards, a Curious George
in the dirt, face down, where it was
forgotten, little stories, fragments of lives
all along my route, walking the dozen blocks
to court from the office, on a fall morning
I read this poem while preparing the preceding OPW post featuring the old Marion County Courthouse and loved it. Raymond A. Foss is a favorite poet of my doctor, Olwyn K. Davies, M.D., who first introduced me to his work. As I spent two hours yesterday with Dr. Davies for a regular physical exam, it was sheer synchronicity to come upon this poem later in the evening. Dr. Davies is now 82 and just celebrated his 55th year of practicing medicine. He is in his office by 7:00 a.m. each day and his day does not end until after 7:00 p.m. I am acutely aware that in the years to come I shall never again have as fine a physician and personal confidant. He means the world to me.
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