as a flower
bright orange red
with petal cups holding
rain water & dew
bearing a thousand seed pods
to be carried away by wind,
birds & bats.
She balances each day
with children
with household chores
with nature's remedies
with a crown lighter than
basket of food on her head.
Mayan Indian woman carrying basket on her head by Robert Crum
Picture credit: here
Posted for Imaginary Garden for Real Toads - Goodness Gracious, hosted by Karin G.
& Poets United - Thanks for the visit ~
Hey Grace! Women like that are incredibly graceful--it is amazing what they handle in their lives as your lovely poem points out--the bats as well as the birds--thanks for participating, thanks too for the lovely pic. k.
ReplyDeleteWonderful thoughts and flow, you have captured great scenes and the photo is so apt. Greetings!
ReplyDeleteHere too, you see such grace and poise. Makes me wonder how they manage to do it. Lovely grace in your poetry too. :)
ReplyDeleteYour words have captured the feelings behind the painting very well, I think. Her life, just as the basket, is balanced.
ReplyDeletestrength, love and grace that is Woman...beautifully brought out Grace....
ReplyDeleteSounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week end!
Photographer Gil Zetbase
http://www.gilzetbase.com/
a crown lighter than the basket on her head --
ReplyDeleteThat brings grace full circle to me, she is the sum
of all that she does for others - and yet, it does not
consume her. She is more than that, and her riches
may not be material - but riches they are.
This is beautiful, Grace.
ReplyDeleteI see the grace and feel it, though with a certain regret that it may only be a half life no matter how light the crown. Do flowers play? Does she?
ReplyDeleteNicely done!
ReplyDeleteA balanced life is sure a good one indeed, must take some skill to balance that on one's head too.
ReplyDeletewonderfully done.what distinguishes the piece is its inclusive encompassing wave of affection for the less privileged others.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Grace and I love the picture!! Lovely!
ReplyDeleteTrue grace.
ReplyDeleteThis is dedication. The photo reminded me of our country too, Grace. The subject matter is one the harsh realities but conveyed in a justifiable manner.
ReplyDeleteThe two stanzas are reminders how to write poems with elegance.
I've always wondered about the grace and sense of balance the women of some countries (like the one in the image) possess to carry those baskets on their heads. Such patience, such grace. love the poem and the image!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful depiction of that painting :D
ReplyDeleteDelightful read :D
Lots of love,
Sanaa
This is a wonderful tribute to womanhood - her physical and spiritual grace.
ReplyDeleteYou did a particularly good job of highlighting the story of motherhood. Well done!
ReplyDeleteShe balances each day... I like that. Sometimes life makes us feel like jugglers, too.
ReplyDeleteThe woman you depict is gracefull indeed. And many, though they do not juggle a basket on their heads, are full of the grace that calls them to be good mothers.
ReplyDeleteLove the images of the flower...wonderful poem about grace!
ReplyDeleteNicely said and shown. There's a timelessness....
ReplyDeleteyou are certainly well named :) ~
ReplyDeletewell drawn up with words. Grace-fully penned, mi amiga
ReplyDeleteThat last image is certainly arresting and humbling...and yet we can achieve a state of grace no matter our circumstances..
ReplyDeleteYes ! ...and with a love some will never understand. Very nice Piece.
ReplyDeleteZQ
Lovely. A stirring and beautifully rendered articulation of true femininity.
ReplyDeleteI had to chuckle a bit about this--what a lovely description of motherhood. EXCEPT for my wonderful, never met a stove she knew how to use, or a stranger she could not cut red tape for. A 40's feminist who by convention not only wore a bra and girdle but never let them squeeze enough wind out of her to stop her from taking on every thorny issue and usually regaling the other person with stories of justice as they picked the thorns from their flesh.
ReplyDeleteThat women would not balance anything on her head but she sure as heaven is high carry someone who had neck pain.
That woman is an amazing person to do so much.
ReplyDeleteThat's real grace. Wonderfully writ.
ReplyDelete