Tuesday, May 17, 2016

The matriarch



If she was younger, she would be warrior
queen, zealously guarding her family
in times of war & upheaval

If she was even younger, she would be
a tall dark violet beauty with sassy tongue
& drinking hard with the guys

But alas, she was old when I met her
Cursing her gene for a long life
And her mother, still alive, crawling
on floor like a baby in her old age
frightened me and my sisters-

But she is always a warm breast to me
like a tropical sun
nurturing my awkward childish steps
while cursing her wayward sons to behave

They don't listen much to her anymore
but affectionately indulge her
when she tells them about her war-time escapades
It was a long time ago
Long before she became a widow

For time is running out fast
Her eagle eyes are now frail
Her bones are paper-light
And in the end, she was all silver
her feet bundled like a small bird-



Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - Character Study, hosted by guest Walter Wojtanik ~  Thanks for the visit ~

26 comments:

  1. These last lines are every bit as delicate as their subject:
    "And in the end, she was all silver
    her feet bundled like a small bird-"

    So beautifully said, Grace.

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  2. I'm finding the reading of the poems for this prompt to be very easy to read and envision. I think in the challenge presented we are reaching deep allowing our words to paint vivid brushstrokes. This is a wonderful study, Grace! Thank you for allowing me to read it!

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  3. Vivid character sketch done beautifully. Lyrically. Well done!

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  4. Her eagle eyes are now frail
    Her bones are paper-light
    And in the end, she was all silver
    her feet bundled like a small bird-

    Lyrical and sweet. Such a gorgeous write.

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  5. Sad, how old age can be so cruel, to the ones, we love, like our moms. Would have love to met her, at her prime, and listen, to the stories that she could tell, of a different past, then we read, in the history books.

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  6. One has their first history lessons from the parents & grandparents; first hand accounts of the Great Depression, WWII, & the WPA. This really rocks the prompt; everyone seems to be scoring high on the kudo chart today/tonight. Yes, your last stanza is stunning & touching.

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  7. i do love how you capture her fragility in that last stanza. Sad to feel ignored when you still have wits... and imagine how the memories of war can only be understood through books. Wonderful write Grace.

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  8. So far it seems many of us inherited our inspiration, while I come from a fairly well educated family none of them caught my form of education. Yes, Grace for one reason I went to the Pub and wound up tasting the brew there instead.

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  9. What a wonderful comparison - I can see her in my mind's eye:
    Her eagle eyes are now frail
    Her bones are paper-light
    And in the end, she was all silver
    her feet bundled like a small bird-

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  10. Such a transition from the younger to the older. Lovely write.

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  11. Oh this is wonderful to read....and the last paragraph is just stunning -- the difference between the warrior and this last stanza -
    I so appreciate meeting her!

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  12. Beautifully worded... And the last four lines..loved reading them again n again!

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  13. Beautifully worded... And the last four lines..loved reading them again n again!

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  14. So beautiful and moving. Yes, the last four lines are a dream.

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  15. sMiLes.. even the
    gift of elders
    talking grey
    or frail..
    or whatever
    struggles liFE
    may bRing.. getting
    old is for stronger soUls
    and never for sissies male
    or female.. Living is for
    moving.. connecting
    and creating..
    but take two
    of those out
    and its worse
    than just one
    old..
    Poverty
    of the SoUl
    has no age..
    gender.. nationality..
    creed or race.. Poverty
    of the heARt.. SpiRit and
    SoUl.. simply has no radiating liGht..:)

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  16. Ooh.. what a beautiful read. I enjoyed the flow of your thoughts and this somewhat reminds me of one of Byron's poems.. And Thou art Dead, as Young and Fair. Great piece, Grace.

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  17. At least the ones round this frail lady affectionately indulge her rather rather insidiously make fun of her. So sad to see strength crippled. A sensitive piece.

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  18. Old age sure does become the great equalizer, getting us all one way or another.

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  19. A touching study of ageing. Growing old is not for wimps.

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  20. Life is reality, beautiful write!

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    Replies
    1. In addition . . . for me, life is a wheel of change, but I believe when we become frail that's when we become strong again.

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  21. I hope she shared her tales before it was too late. Thanks for sharing. Be well and have a wonderful weekend!

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  22. Being of "an age", I can truly sympathize and understand these beautifully written words~

    Jan

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  23. I feel time tugging at your heroine here. This is a lovely and poignant write up.

    ~Imelda

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  24. I loved the progression and transition of the poem from beginning to end...amazing job

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