I wrote this poem when a group of friends and I were working in a food forest together. We slept in what we called “The Big Bed”, usually four of us together but at times we were six. Every night when we settled in for sleep, we individually spent at least 5 minutes arranging our pillows and blankets. As I was hilariously watching my neighbors arranging their sleep-space, I was catapulted to an alternate dimension where I could see small animals preparing their nest and I could see such similarity in our ‘bed prep’. I laughed and told my neighbor, Kush, “are you making yourself a nest?”
That moment sparked an idea within me. I wrote this poem the next day.
the Art of Nesting
i’ve curiously observed animals
setting themselves up for snuggles
finding a place to lie, gathering supplies
recollecting old lullabies
first, a comprehensive look is taken at the place of rest
the length, the depth, and the comfiness is assessed
then, a Great Gathering takes place
essential creativity in setting up this microspace
the basics, the classics; fabrics and blankets
pillows and fellows; inconspicuous banjos
secret stashes of snacks rescuing insomniacs
well out of sight for the soon-to-be amnesiacs
massaging pillows, getting the right consistency
arranging everything to be all warm and fuzzy
the lucky ones with a partner
get to solve the puzzle of their limbs together
so such is the Art of Nesting
its adepts perform it with playful undertaking
if ever you find yourself engages, about to commit
remember to relish every single moment of it.
