my mom forgets her thoughts, butterflies in flight
but not her prayers. her rosary beads are bright as sunlight
where do you find yourself at end of the day
are you cradling a lady bug? or do you stare at the moonlight ?
the shadows have their seasons too.* filled with dead poets.
yellowing regretful sighs. time to change curtains to spring light
i will etch the walls with songs. with color. with feathers.
because inside me, is cardinal, awaiting spring. with sky light
the white wall. the blank page. you stitch the emptiness
into fullness. you are embroideried canvas & edged with light
*Line: The Shadows have their seasons, too" from John Updike, Penumbrae
Posted for dVerse Poets pub - OpenLinkNight - Hosted by Sanaa Rizvi. Thanks for your visits and comments. Poetry form: ghazal.
I love the snapshot of your mother, Grace, and the use of internal rhyme in these lines:
ReplyDelete‘my mom forgets her thoughts, butterflies in flight
but not her prayers. her rosary beads are bright as sunlight’
and
these lines are delightful:
‘i will etch the walls with songs. with color. with feathers.
because inside me, is cardinal, awaiting spring…’
This is exquisitely drawn, Grace! I especially love; "i will etch the walls with songs. with color. with feathers because inside me, is cardinal, awaiting spring." 🩷🩷🩷
ReplyDeleteI love how each couplet is a poem in itself and the last couplet is stunning.
ReplyDeleteI love this, Grace. I love the butterflies as thoughts, the playing with the seasons of light. Especially those last lines "you stitch the emptiness
ReplyDeleteinto fullness. you are embroideried canvas & edged with light"
How beautiful, Grace. What a difference a mother can make to a room, a house, a life.
ReplyDelete'the white wall. the blank page. you stitch the emptiness
into fullness. you are embroideried canvas & edged with light'
I love the enchantment and the shimmering that is felt between the words, really enjoyed the poem!
ReplyDeleteA masterpiece poem using Mr. Updike's line as inspiration.
ReplyDeleteEnchanting. I love this call to spring and to your butterfly mystic mother.
ReplyDeleteI loved your wonderful poem, Grace. Shadows in nature and shadows of the mind!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful poem to read, and I love the delicate opening lines of your mother.
ReplyDeleteYour mother's absences that some might see as shadows are full of light and butterflies.
ReplyDeleteSuch a major swing in the singing mind, from the season of winter poems to what buds and breaks forth and renews. My mother didn't make it to spring but she was joyous in the end.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful ghazal, Grace. I really like the way you incorporated the Updike line. And the opening lines about your mother--so sad but beautifully moving--the thoughts like butterflies.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully content, Grace; and the choice of ghazal for delivery is perfect. Salute!
ReplyDeleteSimply a gorgeous poem from start to finish, Grace. I love the whole thing but especially these lines:
ReplyDelete"my mom forgets her thoughts, butterflies in flight
but not her prayers."
"the white wall. the blank page. you stitch the emptiness
into fullness. you are embroideried canvas & edged with light"
"i will etch the walls with songs. with color. with feathers.
because inside me, is cardinal, awaiting spring."
Adore! 💕
Great opening, with thoughts as butterflies. Wishing you strength with your mom.
ReplyDeleteAnd the ending is so powerful
"you stitch the emptiness into fullness. you are embroideried canvas & edged with light"!
Just great!
"because inside me, is cardinal, awaiting spring. with sky light"
ReplyDeleteMy favourite image
Much♡love
A lovely poem. I especially appreciate: you stitch the emptiness
ReplyDeleteinto fullness.
Very nice written poem. Beautiful words use in. I appreciate.
ReplyDelete