when the magnolia blooms

One day 

I was at the family cemetery talking

to my great-grandmother like she were still here.

The magnolia made an umbrella canopy 

over the stones

while the breeze came up 

from the west,

the rural music of the leaves 

rustling 

while the dead 

slept.

I looked up.

It was April

so the magnolia was blooming, 

the stones were indifferent 

to its scent in the breeze,

the dead baby 

of seven months old 

didn't stir.

Why should babies die?

At the back of the tree 

are unmarked rocks,

slaves 

dating back to plantation days.

The Sun never shines on their stones.

The Sun never rises for them,

the Sun never sets for them,

but they have the sound of the wind

and the scent of magnolia

blooming in the spring.

Reviews

[Linda alexander]

but they have the sound of the wind
and the scent of magnolia
blooming in the spring.

Great write, a noticeable different topic, which brought a powerful and true message, described how wind and sunlight treating the cemetry stones, but the blooms of magnolia were same for all, which is the continuity of life after every ones death is positive, really can say poet could visualize and feel the situation so close and strong, which makes a strong writer, applause for a excellent poem

[m.s.early]

Thank you Linda. This one was difficult to write. It did not end up as what I had intended. I meant to write about my great grandmother, but after I started it went to the thoughts I always have when I visit the site. I always look at those nameless rocks behind the magnolia and I always stop at that baby's grave.

Sometimes the pen has a mind of its own I suppose

[Linda alexander]

You welcome, not only pen our life at times have it's own way, just like car knows the way home when driver is too drunk to steer, we will reach home as Almighty takes steer

[s y e]

This is so haunting but so beautiful... You blow me away with each and every poem Xavier -- I adored this one, has to be my favourite by you.

[m.s.early]

Wow. I didn't expect it to be your favorite, but I'm super charged you enjoyed it Noodle :)

[Emily B]

only in the South, it is a hard place, there are cities deeper down that I never wish to see again, despair hangs in the Spanish moss, the wind never blows it away at all

[m.s.early]

No the wind doesn't. Sometimes I feel guilty for existing in the lineage as I feel that wind stirring my soul, but I live to be part of the restitution and tune my ears to the song of a different wind, the wind of liberty and equity. Thank you for reading :)

[Emily B]

my ancestors got to kentucky on different slave ships

[Tina Louise UK]

Hauntingly beautiful, I like how you tied life with death..great piece hun :) x

[m.s.early]

Thank you kindly Tia :)

[Mockingbird]

the scent of magnolia will always be associated with death and morbid images. you have the ability to touch people's hearts and minds. great job.

[m.s.early]

I would have hoped that magnolias be associated of the equity in hope of spring. The magnolias were the redeemer in the poem; that even though death seems predominant, life continues without those we have lost. Spring returns and the sweet smell of magnolia blossoms reminds us that life renews in nature's cycle.

[Mockingbird]

does it smell baby-fresh too

[m.s.early]

sweeter than honeysuckle

[Vidya Bacchus]

Your poetry always leaves me feelng deeply the emotions that you have penned so well :P

[m.s.early]

(: thank you Vidya. I do so enjoy your thoughts :)

[Vidya Bacchus]

You are welcome :)

[Ruth]

Oh, my....this ripped my heart out, good lord...what a piece hon...from an innocent visitation, to an atmospheric pondering and the history of such sadness, all included, very very well written piece, haunting, actually xx

[m.s.early]

(: thank you Poppy. I enjoy reading your reviews almost as much as I enjoy reading your work :)

[Ruth]

Ah, most welcome hon, always my pleasure! x

[Ahena MK]

Very touching.... The words flowed beautifully....
Good how you touched every aspect and still described the scene...

[m.s.early]

Thank you for the depth of your review, Ahena.

[Sami Khalil]

A wonderful and touching poem as far as slavery is concerned and the blooming of magnolias as of hopes...Splendid ...:)...............

[m.s.early]

Slavery is an ugly scar in some of our pasts indeed. Those stones remind me how people can be demeaned and minimized, even at death. The little baby graves are the hardest to visit though.

[Sami Khalil]

Yep. I do agree. You are welcome, sir...:)....................