Sister lost
You called my name before
my voice broke from dawn, entered day.
Your nile dark braid of hair, a sister’s
rope to pull me from the river flood.
Tall yet near. Your hand a cradled nest.
That photograph.
My eyes found yours. I’m sure they did.
No milky sky could confuse. No olive
moon had your scent.
I’ve grown into years, decades now.
All that you gave, all that we lost, are
rendered in one old box.
Even so dire as white and black, that old
photograph paints your Mediterranean skin.
I carry it now. A pocket keeps.
Sister, do you hear me now?
I am the one with olive groves
upon my cheeks.
Neil Reid © November 2009
That’s a precious piece Neil. Heart wrenching too.
I really like the rhythm of this poem and the last one.
Come to think of it..I enjoy how you change the pace and the flow from one poem to another. Am detecting an interesting trend with your knack for experimentation here…or am I?
Thank you Shipra.
First thought of your question was – say pass, another morning now, and I don’t know, not to think like that, and probably wouldn’t make much sense.
BUT, here’s something anyway, although you might have been better off with the first! I don’t really have a poetic voice of my own as yet, and I do, a little bit. Comes with that a certain rhythm and rhyme – just a manner how I like to hear, like to speak. But I still wobble (a lot) finding my legs (or looking for them) just cause that’s where I am in this process here. So yea, things change a lot – although I always hated as a child trying on new clothes for size! And RWP, a big part of that – (for me) writing when I don’t wanna, writing about what I don’t wanna. But you know, doing it anyway. Feelings are on a big spinning ball! So go ahead, try to pick just one! It feels like that a lot.
I think a lot of explaination comes after-the-fact. Don’t you? Here’s my picture. Would you like a story to go with that? Really, I don’t mind, it might be nice, and wouldn’t it all look pretty on the mantle piece? But you know in the end, here’s this picture, here’s this poem, I made this thing but don’t blame me. It is what it is! Not that I don’t mind a lovely chat. I do in fact! It can really make my day! Honestly. (So, there’s my morning dear!)
But you are always always welcome here. You may always always say anything.
My dear dear Neil…I did not realize I was scratching beneath the surface. For I would’ve been afraid to appear so bold as that.
A peep into your thoughts! It feels like I have struck gold.
I am glad you chose to reply…I see perfectly well what you say, and I admire the process all the more.
Honestly, I truly enjoy your voice, and I firmly believe that you already have one. It speaks clear as a bell to me, because to me it seems to ring straight from your heart.
Maybe it’s just me, but your words never ever feel labored with RWPs you take on (As if to say ‘I don’t wanna’ but ‘I am gonna’). I always realize belatedly when a post is RWP initiated. That’s my proof.
All in all, I was marveling at your willingness to let things flow as they are. That’s what I am for. I don’t believe that having a voice means it needs to follow a specific pattern. Oh yes, makes it easy for the masses to make sense through their parochial lenses, for them to place people and their work in compartments and labels. But I’d rather take risks, and take all the random turns I can along the way. Who knows what we would chance upon!
Happy morning to you too…and thank you for humoring me with such lyrical honesty. I cherish a lovely chat as this. And yes…yesterday was another day, and tomorrow will be another. I am glad what we both have, is today:)
You may always always say anything! Shipra, no need to fret at all what you say to me. My respect and trust for you has long since past that concern. (Ha! That goes for you too Sean if you’re “listening” too!)
My only concern was to respond with some small honesty or sensibility – only that. Such was my mood initially. And thank you for allowing my response as it was!
Now, for here, for now, my hour too is growing late. But thanks for sharing all you did. And I like the conversation too. Tomorrow is next.
I enjoy the poetry and the added benefit of being part of your conversations…good morning Juicer and Neil
Good morning Sean
)
Well indeed, good morning to all! Except it’s about midnight in NYC and I won’t even try figuring Austrailian time. But it is, no matter the hour, my pure pleasure to have you both visiting here!!!
Oh I see I missed out on a slumber party with you, Shipra and Sean! I’m so sad : (
I felt I was sitting next to you watching you pen those words.
How lovely , how deeply felt, how sensitive.
I was deeply moved.
Thank you …. : )
Always with warm hugs!