The solitude and stillness, at once comforting and disconcerting.
Hints of a breeze.
Thoughts engaging, surfacing memories.
The past, plainly in view and on display.
The chill to the bark and bone.
Reality, brought back.
To the forefront.
Branches of the mind.
Whispering winds.
Harbingers of haunted dreams.
Times, places, faces.
Best forgotten, never quite complete.
Or discarded.
To be alone in this moment.
To seal it, wrap it carefully in a delicate leaf of black lace.
A tear runs down a waiting cheek.
Slips silently to the earth.
Returning to the bark and the branches.
The leaves, still to come.
Yesterday becomes today.
Promises of tomorrow, perhaps.
Renewed hope and letting go.
Life’s lessons, from the tree.
*
“The Beckoning Spring” © Geraldine Hartman 2008
Photo © Jason Evans
Comments from: The Clarity of Night contest participants and readers: please see next page:
- JLB said…
- Geraldine, I’m so glad you joined in! This is a lovely piece of poetry – very ethereal.
- paisley said…
- i guess i never really realized how very much the imagery of a tree relates to our lives… this was very beautiful…
- DBA Lehane said…
- I must confess I’m not the biggest fan of poetry but this one managed to hold my interest to the end without me, instead, contemplating my belly button fluff half way through!
- Beth said…
- Sadly, I do not love poetry as well, but like the above comment, I too had my interest held by this one.
- ChristineEldin said…
- The leaves, still to come.Yesterday becomes today.Were my favorite two lines, but I enjoyed the entire poem!
- Missy said…
- To be alone in this moment.To seal it, wrap it carefully in a delicate leaf of black lace.This perfectly captures mourning in such a beautiful way.
- pattinase (abbott) said…
- Lovely precursor to spring.
- Veggies…. said…
- Thank you all for this encouraging feedback.I loved Jason’s choice of photos and this was my way of expressing what it brought to mind.Geraldine
Sarah Hina said…
I really enjoyed this more meditative take, Geraldine. And how you so successfully collapsed time and thought.Very beautifully wrought poem. I read it several times.
- Absolute Vanilla (& Atyllah) said…
- A lovely piece of poetry.
I particularly liked these lines:”Whispering winds.Harbingers of haunted dreams.”Beautiful and captivating. - BernardL said…
- I read it twice.
- SzélsőFa said…
- A nice poetic take on a beautiful photo.
I see the movements of a branch represented by the length of lines and selection of words, too. - pjd said…
- Like BernardL, I read it twice. The disjointedness of the way you’ve presented the various images has its own impact on the feeling of this.For those who say “I don’t like poetry,” I reply, “Perhaps you’ve not met the right kinds of poems.”
- bluesugarpoet said…
- I’d like to echo Absolute Vanilla’s comment – I like how you’ve played with language in those lines using assonance and alliteration. Beautiful indeed!
- Veggies…. said…
- Thanks again for the (additional) thoughtful comments re: my poem The Beckoning Spring.It’s been a real pleasure to read all your entries. Thanks also to Jason for hosting this contest.Geraldine
- Bernita said…
- “branches of the mind”
- I so like that. - Gnewvegan said…
- So beautifully written.. I enjoy reading poetry and your portrayal of the picture was musically written.
- Dottie said…
- It also inspired me to think of music. Lovely.
- jason evans (contest and blog host) said…
- Really excellent poem. You exquisitely captured the essence of nostalgia. High marks!
- Veggies…. said…
- Thanks again to everyone who commented on my poem. Your thoughts on The Beckoning Spring were so encouraging and interesting to read. I also enjoyed reading all the entries. Some really wonderful writers on this list.
- Jason: Thank you so much for the ‘high marks’ and positive feedback. You are to be congratulated for posting such an engaging contest. I will be reading your blog for many moons to come!!! Geraldine
- Aine said…
- “Yesterday becomes today. Promises of tomorrow, perhaps.” I love experiencing such moments. Poetry is such a treasure.It’s a gift that so many readers find meaning in different lines of your poem.
- Veggies…. said…
- Thanks Aine, I totally agree. It is a gift indeed!
Geraldine
Posted by Veggie Guy on March 7, 2008 at 1:09 am
Such a beautiful poem Ger . I am so glad you are getting back to more of your creative writing, that is what you are all about. Veggie Guy
Posted by Nana Sadie Rose on March 7, 2008 at 2:52 am
Just lovely! I’m adding this blog to Nana Sadie’s Place blog as it’s more pertinent to that one than Knitnana. I’ll keep posting on Vegies as Knitnana, okay?
(((hugs)))
Posted by Ruinwen on March 7, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Such beautiful imagery.
Posted by Michelle on March 8, 2008 at 5:28 am
This is Fabulous, Geraldine!!
I agree…we certainly can learn many life lessons by observing and participating in Nature.
I’m sure “My Poetic Path” will grow into a wonderful sharing place.
*hugs*
Posted by mary anne on March 19, 2008 at 2:30 am
Geraldine,
love this poem and the photo captures your words perfectly!
hugs,
mary anne
Posted by Ruinwen on March 19, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I love the line “Of voluminous vapours and veiled visions”
Posted by Constance on March 22, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Nice poem!
“Silent, yet real.” I remember when the line was true for me also.
Posted by Rambler on March 23, 2008 at 7:25 am
“Little girl.
More real than ever.
Looking into your eyes.
What do I see?
My soul, my essence, always there.”
really nice words.. i liked them a lot
Posted by pieceofpie on March 25, 2008 at 7:14 pm
as a tree in another life… this is beautiful….
Posted by Pam on March 25, 2008 at 11:23 pm
This is a wonderful poem. I particularly love this stanza:
Whispering winds.
Harbingers of haunted dreams.
Time, places,faces.
Best forgotten,never quite complete.
Or discarded.
Very nice!
Posted by Patricia (a/k/a Roswila) on March 26, 2008 at 10:52 pm
“The chill to the bark and bone.
Reality, brought back.”
Wonderful line, IMHO.