behind the
geraniums
she hides
to face
the world
unseen

timid live
as
timid die
above the
ground
beneath the
sky
with only
fear
between

her face
now dark
yet in
those eyes
as brown
as the
wet earth

a smile
is born
as life
once torn
by life
by loss
by strife
is replaced
by a
quiet calm
her once
dead arm
can now
just form
the open
hand
of welcome

her children
laugh
her husband
quits
yet
in the
evening
star light
sits
the future
bold
imperfect

07/08/2006

Author's Note: In Dutch, there is a saying that lonely people hide behind the geraniums and look out upon the world meekly and in fear. I recently had the privilege of meeting a young Turkish woman with two young children who had recently lost a third as a consequence of a stroke. She was repiecing her life together with immense bravery. She was slowly coming out from behind the geraniums. This poem is for her.

Posted on 08/08/2006
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