The Element



Rarely do we take the time
to walk a quiet, wooded glen;
or tarry to see the rising sun
reflect on glassy waters.
And few there are who understand
the solace of evening shadows,
or appreciate the chilling relief
of freshly fallen snow.
Not many sit in restful silence,
to hear the ocean's crashing roar;
or wander alone into the woods,
to know what silence lingers there.
And no one hears the waterfalls,
or notes the rhythm that goes unbroken;
or realizes the searching depths
that lie beneath still waters.
Fewer still are those who see
the hand that holds all these;
or those who listen when He speaks,
or answer when He calls.

About this poem

The original poem, dated 1984, is typed on transparent paper and overlays a pencil drawing (also by the author) of an open hand. This framed version of The Element was a Christmas gift to the author’s parents (now deceased), Claude and Rosena Wesser, and it hung in the living room of their home. The framed poem is now a treasured piece hanging in the home of the author. Published: American Poetry Anthology 1987, Volume VII, Number 1, Edited by John Frost, p 306 Author: Linda L. [Wesser] McDonald A second framed version of The Element (edited slightly from the original) was presented to Grey Feather at Zane Shawnee Caverns and Southwind Park on October 31, 1998 by the author. Linda L. [Wesser] Yoest 

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Written on July 01, 1984

Submitted by LinYoest on August 30, 2022

Modified by LinYoest on December 16, 2023

38 sec read
53

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCDEFGHIJKLMCNDOPQM
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 630
Words 127
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 20

Linda [Wesser] Yoest

An old lady; an amateur poet/writer who enjoys nature and animals; and writing bios about stuffies which are given to children as Christmas gifts. Everyone needs a stuffy with its own story. more…

All Linda [Wesser] Yoest poems | Linda [Wesser] Yoest Books

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2 Comments
  • Symmetry58
    8th line down - I believe a typo? Snow perhaps? :-)
    LikeReply 11 year ago
    • LinYoest
      Yes, snow. Thank you!
      LikeReply1 year ago
  • Symmetry58
    This is an amazing poem, Linda. I mean it. You are a poet through and through.
    LikeReply 11 year ago
    • LinYoest
      Thank you very much.
      LikeReply 11 year ago

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"The Element" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/135021/the-element>.

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