Lady in White

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Tue, 29 Nov 2011
  • 4371 reads
22 comments
 

At this time of day – midway
between two lights, I watch
archipelagos of grizzled clouds
fret a sullen sky.

The wind from the north
blows cold – birds arrow
from branch to branch
of a holly-tree...

I stand at my backdoor
looking onward...across
the corrugated fields –
and you are there...

a lone, white hood –
head bowed in prayer
beneath a row of five
copper beeches...

Nothing but a refugee
I’ve become here now –
my empire turned to ash.
Pockets full of ‘if onlys’,

an old, leather trunk, stuffed
to overflowing with beaches
and ships that didn’t come in...
voices, preserved in sand.

Certificate U
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by scratch on
Silver, This is one of those that I will read again and again. When I have contextualised (in my own way) I will try to post some more helpfull feedback. Corrugated fields - lovely.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thanks, scratch...pleased it pleased you so much;-) Silver;-)

 

Submitted by Daniel Saint-John on
Great poem. Makes me long for something, though I can't name it. I think it is a poem conveying powerful images. Excelsior!
Excelsior!

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Glad it did something for you, Daniel...if you could only think of what it was;-) Seriously though, many thanks for your lovely comment. Tina

 

Submitted by Highhat on
Every line is perfect Tina,packed with beautifully mournful,desolate images. loved the "grizzled clouds.." Very poignant. ;)Pia

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thanks, Pia...very much. Pleased you liked;-) Tina

 

Submitted by seashore on
I can relate to this on several levels but can't sort my brain out to simplify my personal clutter in the way you have here. One of your many best, Tina. Coral x

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Sorting one's brain out is sure not easy, and that's a fact;-) Pleased you enjoyed, Coral, and many thanks. Tina x

 

Submitted by shoe on
That opening verse is exquisite, and the whole poem is full of desolate images that invite the reader to interpret them as they will.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thank you, Shirley;-) Have a sunny Wednesday. Tina

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hi Tina, had to look up that word archipelagos, as I'd never heard of it before, it describes a group of Islands. I think that's a wonderful way to describe the clouds, in your poem. I really loved the way you set the scene, with your vision from your back door. Simply beautiful. Jenny.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Many thanks, Jenny,for your lovely words. Almost poetry in themselves;-) Tina

 

Submitted by TVR on
Agree with all the above. Well done, Tina, you cracked it again. sue

TVR

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thanks, sue for your 'cracking' comment;-) Tina

 

Submitted by london_calling79 on
Your verb use in the first few stanzas is excellent. 'Fret' especially.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Pleased you thought so, london;-) Thank you for taking the trouble to tell me. More than appreciated. Tina

 

Submitted by scratch on
Good comment London.

 

Submitted by oldpesky on
This is so good i don't know what to write, so I'm just going to copy your own words... 'an old, leather trunk, stuffed to overflowing with beaches and ships that didn’t come in... voices, preserved in sand.' ...and smile a lot.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Nobody says it quite the way you do, op;-) Many thanks. Tina

 

Submitted by fatboy74 on
A wonderful poem sorry i'm so late. :-)

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thanks, fb and better late than never, so they say;-) Tina

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Thanks for that, Arthur;-) Much appreciated. Tina