Remove the cloak from your eyes
What you see as shadows are bubbles
What you deem as cracks are stitches
To you, born into war
A lover's face is a poised gun, ecstatic for more
Blood, but I'm not made of red dust & chipped wood
For you, I would be
seeds, dried & salted for next season's harvest
leaves, bottled in oil & strained for autumn's feast
fruits, sugar-stirred & melted warm, sweet wine
If only you can rein in the beast inside
You, the one turning your honey tongue to stone
And strikes a fist from dead bone heart
Even in your murderous gaze,
I will not drift away, helpless as small bird
Here is my offering - a healing, a moving of wings-
a flare reflecting my mother's face.
She is a survivor too.
Posted for Imaginary Garden for Real Toads - I am hosting featured artist, Susie McMahon's arts & dolls ~ Please check out the link for more poems ~
Shared with Poets United
Shared with Poets United
Happy weekend & Happy Mother's Day ~
"A healing, a moving of wings
ReplyDeleteA flare reflecting my mother's face."
Beautifully and thoughtfully penned.
Happy Mother's Day to you, Grace.
Happy Mother's Day to you too Mary ~
DeleteI liked the opening stanza
ReplyDeleteThanks Dezzy ~
Delete"What you see as shadows are bubbles / What you deem as cracks are stitches..."
ReplyDeleteThose two lines might stay with me forever. There is so much to be said about outside perception, and about what we decide to do with it and about it.
Misunderstanding arising from different perceptions can cause a lot of problems ~ Thank you Magaly ~
DeleteSimply wonderful in so many ways! Absolutely love it, Grace!
ReplyDeleteThank you CC ~
DeleteWow. Love this. The war-raised and trained are buried deep within themselves under quick response, fear of death, need to have control. How their loved ones deal with them, I don't even know, but generations of survivors--mothers, fathers, daughters, brothers, etc--are willing and loving enough to brave the dis ease.
ReplyDeleteWomen are survivors, more than men, I believe ~ Thanks Susan ~
DeleteSo many things to like here Grace, the contrast of the soldier and the mother.. somehow that's where every woman finds herself.. hopefully someday the soldiers will not be there...
ReplyDeleteSomeday Bjorn ~ Thanks very kindly ~
DeleteSmiles, ha ~ Thanks for the visit Loredana ~
ReplyDeleteAmazing response, Grace...bitter sweet, earthy and surreal.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the challenge!
Has to be one of the hardest things ever indeed, just watching and waiting, hopefully in time non will be needed, but doubtful it seems
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely Grace, you paint picture of a strong and vibrant character. I very much enjoyed this poem, you write with such strength in your words.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good Mother Day.
Both your verse and the artists' work are incredible . . .
ReplyDeleteThis is so strong and wonderful for the artwork. That final stanza has amazing imagery!
ReplyDeleteA strong piece for Mother's day. Gracefully written.. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wondrous Mother's Day
A hug
1ManView
You have made such an exquisite selection of words and phrase which really speak the the mood of this, and many others of Susie's artworks.
ReplyDeleteThe eternally strong mother bearing the brunt of the follies of her children and ever forgiving ..such a beautiful voice she has...
ReplyDeleteThe pain of war and the loss of loved ones........depicted very strongly and an apt justice with the doll.
ReplyDeletejust a gripping write for mother's day... love the last line... loved..For you, I would be
ReplyDeleteseeds, dried & salted for next season's harvest....
Very powerful words, Grace. The first stanza is my favorite. What we see does not necessarily reflect what is there.
ReplyDeleteVery profound approach to your thoughts,
ReplyDeleteMuch love...
feliz dia de madre
ReplyDeleteThis was so tender....so intimate. Beautiful, Grace.
ReplyDeleteVery nice Grace, a powerful piece.
ReplyDeletei absolutely love the first part about bubbles and stitches. it speaks!
ReplyDelete"....a healing, a moving of wings"....the mother's face and "She is a survivor too". Deeply felt and so powerful.
ReplyDeletePoignant, Grace. Happy Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be a survivor. An excellent poem to match the stunning artwork Grace, Happy Mother's Day!!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent ...eerie
ReplyDeleteZQ
wow...what cool art grace....seeing hte lover as a loaded gun...that made me sit up and read deeper into this...that stand alone last line says much...a mother is enough...one that is a survivor all the more...
ReplyDeletehappy moms day
Here is my offering - a healing, a moving of wings-
ReplyDeletea flare reflecting my mother's face.
She is a survivor too. So powerful...beautiful poem Grace
Love your beautiful beautiful words.
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
Perhaps it's inevitable that people live in the worlds of their different experiences. Life's challenge is to be able to build bridges to places inhabited by others. Very powerful writing, Grace.
ReplyDeleteSteve K.
a healing, a moving of wings
ReplyDeleteAnd so you may soar...
This spoke of strength to me. Especially about the stitches. I like that part the best. Well done. Thank you, Grace! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeletePowerful song...poem...love the contrast of two characters: mother and son; very intense, meaningful words, make me read couple times. Thanks for sharing, Grace! xx
ReplyDeleteWhen i posted i couldnt find the immage...was one with tree branches that i saw on the post that lead me to link to your post there...feel free to keep or deleat my link as u see fit i have no way now of adding the picture so no hard feelings...like the artwork for the prompt
ReplyDeleteChris
Think it was pages of me...ie the tree of my life...
DeleteChris, thanks for the clarification ~ I will keep your link in Real Toads ~ Thanks for participating & wishing you Happy Week ~
Delete.. 'for you, I would be seeds, dried & salted for next season's harvest leaves' ~~ surviving, yes.
ReplyDelete