Last November I painted poppies
just for you -
and though I mixed the colours,
and held the brush,
the imagery was far more yours
than mine - starkly beautiful,
like your war poems, conceived
you tell me, in another place,
another time.
I watched as blood-stains soaked
the page; his blood, that of our ancestor,
yours and mine, the one whose spirit
moved the earth beneath
your feet that day in Flanders,
when you stumbled into a shell-hole....
I did not paint those poppies;
I think they were his gift to you
a reminder for both of us
lest we forget.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Poppies.jpg | 144.28 KB |
Comments
Juniperus | November 14, 2011 - 07:09
I do like this - the imagery is excellent;)
seashore | November 14, 2011 - 07:29
Many thanks Juniperus, for reading and commenting.
skinner_jennifer | November 14, 2011 - 11:04
What a moving poem coral and you painted such a
beautiful picture. Lovely words.
Jenny.
Geoffrey | November 14, 2011 - 11:07
Well done kid! A picture is worth more than a thousand words so they say.
seashore | November 14, 2011 - 11:54
Thank you so much Jenny xx
seashore | November 14, 2011 - 11:55
Thanks Geoff - what a palaver doing the attachment! Easy when you know how. xx
fatboy74 | November 14, 2011 - 15:15
I can't do links and attachments seashore but I will check this one out. The poem is stand alone good and the stumble into the shell hole line is wonderful. Well done. :-)
seashore | November 14, 2011 - 15:26
Thanks as ever FB for reading and for the feedback. Anytime you want to add an attachment you know where I am!
Thanks eds for cherry - it's the first time I've attempted a re-write so it's especially welcome.
Silver Spun Sand | November 14, 2011 - 15:34
Fabulous, Coral and the picture of those wonderful poppies completes it beautifully;-)
Tina ;-)
Highhat | November 14, 2011 - 18:51
loved the painting- water colour- so vivid- and the poem was a cherry worth or rather the poppy worth- beautiful- your daughter must be proud of you!
;)Pia
Cavalcaderl | November 14, 2011 - 18:58
New Seashore
Yes Coral,so much
is written into this
lovely poem. Of the poppies.
This re-minds me of the picture,
by 'Monet' and child and mum running through
the poppy fields. Paper mentioned they are
bringing it back. Quite often markets can pick
on up £5. I got one once.
And now you have the cherries!
well done. Good see your writing.
julie x
seashore | November 14, 2011 - 23:52
Thanks so much for the lovely comment Tina. x
seashore | November 14, 2011 - 23:53
Pia - really appreciate your words and sentiments so thank you. x
seashore | November 14, 2011 - 23:57
Hi Julie - good of you to drop by and leave a comment. Yes I have always loved that Monet painting too! x
shoe | November 15, 2011 - 17:00
I remember the first one, but I can't tell what you've changed, still just stunning.
seashore | November 15, 2011 - 21:18
Thanks for remembering, shoe and for the positive feedback. I changed quite a lot actually, I think the first attempt was a bit messy so I pared this one right back but I'm still never sure when something is working or not...
Kilb50 | November 16, 2011 - 17:38
A very well constructed and moving poem, beautifully enhanced by the painting. Good work seashore!
seashore | November 16, 2011 - 17:47
Very many thanks, Kilb50.
sue dinum | November 18, 2011 - 20:23
Truly moving and beautifully written, seashore, and perfectly topical, even though I’m late commenting. I feel your pain. Brilliant.
sue
seashore | November 18, 2011 - 23:07
Really appreciate your lovely comment - thanks sue.
scratch | November 18, 2011 - 23:38
Now I realise how annoying it is to have to scroll through so many comments to get to post one.
Excellent poetry; thoroughly deserving.
seashore | November 19, 2011 - 07:58
Sorry about that scratch - but thanks for persevering and for the very welcome feedback.
SundaysChild | November 19, 2011 - 09:05
Vivid- much enjoyed x
seashore | November 19, 2011 - 10:12
Many thanks SC x
Overthetop1 | November 20, 2011 - 04:10
Beautiful work of art, and well done on managing the attachment! A beautiful poem too. Lucky daughter to have such a talented Mum.
seashore | November 20, 2011 - 10:46
Maybe a lucky Mum also...many thanks OTT.
oldpesky | December 1, 2011 - 14:11
If your daughter is as talented as you then its a very lucky family.
seashore | December 1, 2011 - 17:55
Thanks for reading this oldpesky, also for the lovely comment. I've always considered my daughter to be a better writer than I am - I'm really the painter in the family.
Anyway I much appreciate you dropping by, especially as I know you're predominantly a prose man.
cynthiae77 | December 2, 2011 - 16:41
Wonderfully written! You are indeed very talented. A well deserved cherry!
seashore | December 2, 2011 - 17:16
Many many thanks cynthiae77!