Calm Sea's Allure by Kristina WoodhillToday,
like bees
to the clover,
dust to the soles
of sandaled feet,
we gathered
and walked down
the dirt road
beside lush fields of
green beans,
along the lane
flanked by walnut trees
loaded with round
swelling green promises
of nut-filled cookies
in December,
past mature grape vines
climbing boldly to the tip top
of the crooked defunct windmill.
We rounded the corners
of this old farm,
eagerly stepping into
a mid-summer painting,
eagerly answering
a mid-summer beckoning.
Calm seas of Grosso,
Munstead, and Provence lavender
bobbed with wide brimmed hats,
sun-screen shirts
covering just down to
eager hands - scissors
snip, snip, snipping
with sharp
deliberate
cuts
while legs, like steady oars
through strong currents,
waded in and kept
us fast afloat.
Each branch of lavender
laid gently in a woven,
wide open basket,
floating in our dreams -
like Moses, safely niched,
awaiting a kind, yet patient hand
one with the Old knowledge
to create a gift
to accompany a king,
a complement to any queen.
"Alchemist,
I ask on bended knee,
help me
inhale this mystery,
show me the cut
of purity;
may the eon's lasting power
of this deep blue, yet simple flower
distill
that I may understand
my immortality."
07/15/2008
Author's Note: After visiting the lavender cutting festival this past weekend.
Posted on 07/15/2008 Copyright © 2024 Kristina Woodhill
Member Comments on this Poem |
Posted by Keith McFarlane on 07/15/08 at 07:45 PM This is a very rich expression of your immediate experience that evokes (with your help) a deeper connection of lavender to the symbols of history. I'm glad you took the time to examine and record this -- very well done. |
Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 07/16/08 at 12:50 PM Your usual excellence in description and evocation. Indeed, your last stanzas in italics gives an historical perspective to this flowering herb. |
Posted by Brian Francis on 07/18/08 at 06:05 AM Wonderful visuals! I can almost feel the breeze and smell its sweet perfumed scent. Thank you for this one. peace --bf |
Posted by Kathleen Wilson on 07/19/08 at 05:13 AM The details and naming in this give it a layered wealth of experience mirroring yours, leaving the poem as a lure (like lavendar) for us too, like bees to come back. I love the stepping into "the mid-summer painting" - a very visual strong feeling of entrance. |
Posted by James Zealy on 07/19/08 at 07:26 PM beautiful Imagery you take us there Kristina |
Posted by Jody Pratt on 11/26/11 at 09:12 PM You commented on one of my poems that had no comments, so I wanted to return the favor. However, I can't find any of your poems that don't already have several comments and, after reading several, I can see why. You are a very talented writer and this piece of art is a perfect example of that. You are very inspiring! |
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