Poppies for my daughter

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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.

AttachmentSize
Poppies.jpg144.28 KB

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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!