The heart of the woman is wide-mouthed sea
Carrying child's lusty cries before dawn
On her swollen breasts nestle a tribe
On her broad shoulders ride warriors
Her bloodline is red as fiery volcano
The hands of the woman is baked brown by sun
Sweaty & dirty by toiling soil & tending chores
She moves with a purpose, planting her roots
so her children will know her, of her
Her words are grain, spreading field to field-
The face of the woman is marked by every lash
Of windstorm, every tear of thundering clouds
Yet her demeanor is calm, murmuring of rain drops
On her body, round & laden as sudden flurry
of March spring blooms, beautifully astonishing-
Henry Moore - Figure lying (Canada, Ottawa, 1930)
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - Muses from History - Hosted by Abhra ~ I was inspired by Henry Moore sculptures when I went to our Art Galley of Toronto ~
And Poets United - Beauty hosted by Sumana
I was thinking particularly of a mother as I read this. Of her beauty and toughness. On her shoulders ride warriors. Made me smile, as it is a cool line. Nicely written grace.
ReplyDeleteThis is so great.. love how you use metaphors here.. her heart, breasts shoulders.. it's so effective, and everything says strength... the source and the spring is a woman. Love this.
ReplyDeletethere's much beauty in caring for others... such a strong and tender description of her... and i too loved the warrior line
ReplyDeleteBeauty of women tRuly
ReplyDeleteexpressing today now
un-repressing and
un-oppressing
emotions
and sensuality
always
em
pow
eRing
human
life
from
end to
beginning
NOW.. MEN
still fearful of
being HUman
overAll
and
dragGing
Zombies
BEhinds..:)
This is absolutely stunning! The several attributes of a woman which give rise to her beauty :D Beautifully executed :D
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sanaa
ah...a woman is beauty made, the creator wished her to be like this...beauty dwells in her strength, in her love and in her sacrifice...a powerful write Grace, as always....
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful piece about female, mothering energy. This is my favorite:
ReplyDelete"She moves with a purpose, planting her roots
so her children will know her, of her
Her words are grain"
You have characterized 'woman' beautifully in your words.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful write, Grace. So many wonderful images, especially her breasts nestling a tribe and on her shoulders ride warriors. So true!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteShe sure sounds like a tough woman, one to ride out any storm
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written!
ReplyDeleteThis very much reminds me of a post card a friend brought me from Malta (I think) of the sculpture of one of the earliest godesses. Quite stunning.
ReplyDeleteThe first line totally captured me! How wonderfully you have described us - nurturing but carrying warriors.....this is just an amazing poem.
ReplyDeleteThe first stanza in my favourite - you started simply but added a lot of strength and intensity on the way, Grad you could join in Grace.
ReplyDeletea fantastic reflection - this is a classic Grace of woman and what she has been through the ages.
ReplyDeleteNot false glamour but true female beauty, at one with that of Mother Earth.
ReplyDeleteYou are woman, roaring poetically as you give tribute to abstract sculpture. I feel that most men could not have written this powerful & emotional ballad, for we, though we may think otherwise, are swathed in different genes. I, too, of course loved the tribe camping out on breasts, & warriors piggy-backing on smooth wide shoulders. Thanks for your lovely comment over to my blog.
ReplyDeleteYou have defined the perfect definition of a mother. Bravo.
ReplyDeleteYet her demeanor is calm,
ReplyDeletemurmuring of rain drops
That is the beauty of ladies and who says it is skin deep!
Hank
a dream weaver!
ReplyDeleteGrace, buddy, friend, pal; all I can say is we must be looking at different women.
ReplyDeleteThe references to the divine feminine make the beauty of the poem stronger.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely Grace. I can see how the sculpture inspired you to write about woman and her many strengths.
ReplyDeleteI'm speechless, Grace. What strikes me is the line about her words being grain...this to me, speaks of a doing kind of love...deep and compassionate. Amazing work!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful Grace!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful Grace!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful Grace!
ReplyDeleteYour poem made me think of the Earth Goddess or the eternal woman - a strong and caring woman.
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of the woman: a beautiful piece. It begs to me reverently read aloud.
ReplyDelete