Water Lilies

A see-saw poem about water lilies

 

  Water Lilies

By

Steppenwolf

 

A stroll through the Brooklyn Museum with my son

Son is grown up now but still spends a Saturday with his mother

Mother is bursting and whirling with joy reeling with pride

Pride because her son wants to be with her

Her eyes see the newborn’s eyes framed by the beard

Beard is a frame for his beautiful soul

Soul is stretched to the limit because he has suffered

Suffered along with the people he has saved.

Saved for last is the Botanical Gardens.

Gardens juicy with tropical trees

Trees, through the magic doorway, then we see water lilies, floating

Floating, meditating, on water clean and serene

Serene because plant scum has been raked off the pool

Pool in my soul erupts in a tidal wave

Wave goodbye to all the misery, worry, and pain

Pain hurts so good/bad that I sink down on a bench

Bench has enough room for him and for me

Me, my head on his shoulder, sobbing in waves

Waves that carry me back when we never knew

Knew not if he would emerge dead or alive…

Alive are the water lilies, silent, breathing

Breathing into infinity while we continue our stroll.

Reviews

[Mary]

this magnificent cyclical poem has touch my heart in ways you can't imagine (wipes tears). I love how the next line begins with the last word of the previous line- it creates a stream of consciousness, but a very controlled one. As a mother, I can relate very well. I love the "newborn's eyes framed with a beard" image. added to my favorites.

[steppenwolf]

Thank you Mary. That day--that my son and I saw the waterlilies in Brooklyn Arboretum--stands out as a supreme moment. The best part was that I collapsed in tears on Michael's shoulder and he didn't get embarrassed or upset. He understood. Some moments in time are "time-less."

[bela]

Lovely imagery! I like this loop poem.

[Elizabeth Ridge]

This is a beautiful poem. My only criticism is at the beginning. The poem seems just to be listing the feelings traveling around. Maybe use strong imagery to describe those feelings. Besides that, the poem was amazing and the ending was brilliant. Thank you for sharing!