Ode to Joy — after Schiller

o friends

let us let go

of the rocks let us each take a leaf

from the ground

let us each take a leaf and let it

rest for a breath

let us each take a leaf and let it

float on the breeze

let us each hold a leaf let it tremble

in the wind from a whisper

let us watch the unseeable threads

grow each toward the other

let us raise our hands toward the sun

let us lift every leaf and sing

let us be the tree we know we can be

let us lie down in the leaves to listen

let us listen to every rock

let us listen to the spark of creation

o friends

joy is ours

Susan Charkes, a former longtime resident of Doylestown Borough and Plumstead Township, writes for the Bucks County Herald and River Towns Magazine. Her poetry chapbook, sp. is available from The Operating System. She has published poems, fiction and nonfiction in a variety of outlets. More at susancharkes.com.

Poet’s Corner is curated by Bucks County Poet Laureate Tom Mallouk and supported by a grant to the Bucks County Herald Foundation made possible by Marv and Dee Ann Woodall.

Note from the curator: Lovers of poetry and those of you who have enjoyed Poet’s Corner, please show your support by making a donation directly to the Bucks County Herald Foundation. As you probably know the Herald is a nonprofit owned by the foundation and relies on community support. The space dedicated to Poet’s Corner is space that would otherwise be used for advertising. Any amount of money will help make it possible to continue Poet’s Corner beyond mid-February 2024. Donate at https://buckscountyherald.com/help-keep-local-journalism-alive-in-our-community/. Be sure to mention Poet’s Corner.

Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.