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Thursday, April 14, 2016

Poetry Friday - Reflection


            Michelle H. Barnes hosts the middle of April's Poetry Friday this week. Thanks, Michelle! Go to her blog, Today's Little Ditty for all the links, and to read her wonderful Echo poem. There has been so, so much poetry written and shared this month I can hardly keep up. I don't have a goal of every day, but am trying to write once in a while, and am really just loving what everyone else is doing. 

            The Progressive Poem created by Irene Latham is moving along beautifully. Don't forget to visit here to see the next line by Matt Forrest Esenwine at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme.



        Sometimes when I write, I am surprised by the topics that arise. This was a big family week for me. I traveled last weekend to see my grandson Carter receive his Eagle award, and Thursday was my oldest Granddaughter Ingrid's seventh birthday. Both were lovely and warm celebrations, and ones where we all realized how much we missed my husband, how much he would have enjoyed these special times. Thus, I reflected and wrote a love poem. 


 An Architectural Romance

I wonder if you understand
the building of my mind,
the boards upon which lie my thoughts
constructed throughout time?
Do you feel balustrades surrounding,
protecting without and within?
And bricks as firm foundation,
mortar mixed in my skin?

I hope you like things nailed down
for I’ll not keep loosely made.
I’ll share the blueprint of my house
each parapet and colonnade
if you will share your mullions
your gutters and the grills.
We’ll reconfigure headers,
add in expensive frills.

If we can see each other’s plan
there’s nothing else we need to do,
but test each nail and sawcut done,
and love each piece of me and you.    

Linda Baie ©All Rights Reserved


photo credit: Sunrise via photopin (license)

35 comments:

  1. Oh my, I love this poem. It's masterfully created from the first nail to the last. I'd love to know about the process that led to it. I have watched your progression as a poet and admire how much you have grown.

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    1. Thank you, Margaret. This time the idea came, and I accessed vocabulary, and started. That's about it!

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  2. A lovely reflection, Linda, on a life lived well together. Peace to you, dear one.

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  3. Bittersweet, those precious family milestones punctuated with sorrow and joy; how deeply you acknowledged, integrated, and transformed those pushes and pulls into a solid, firm-foundationed love poem. God bless you! Thank you for your witness of love strengthened and continued...

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    1. Thanks, CB, it was a lovely week, and just a little bittersweet!

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  4. Sigh. You brought me to tears, dear Linda. The mortar mixed in skin... and that last stanza... such a beautiful love poem.

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    1. Thank you, Michelle. It was satisfying to write this.

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  5. What a beautiful heartfelt poem using an unusual extended metaphor to reflect on a loving relationship. I love how you built this poem with each careful word upon word, thought upon thought.

    Enjoyed hearing about your special family celebrations too. My nephew received his Eagle Award back in January. Congrats to Carter -- quite an accomplishment. And I always love seeing pics of Ingrid on FB. Seven is such a wonderful age! :)

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  6. Thank you, Jama, and congratulations to your nephew, too. It's an honor reflecting a lot of hard work to receive the Eagle award.

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  7. I got goosebumps, Linda, while reading your poem. The way you wove the building metaphor throughout to an emotional end was both skillful and beautiful. And your Ingrid poem (and picture) are precious. Thanks so much for sharing your heart. =)

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    1. Thank you Bridget, it's so nice that you enjoyed both.

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  8. You can hear in a poem when it lived there all along and just now emerged. I can hear it.

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    1. Thanks, Donna, it was rather a surprise, but lovely to put into words.

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  9. Beautiful poem Linda -- I reread it many times. It is so lovely he still a part of all the celebrations through your memory. Thank you for sharing.
    Clare

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    1. You're welcome, Clare. I'm glad you liked the poem!

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  10. So lovely, Linda. It brought tears to my eyes. I especially love the last stanza, so heartfelt. Hugs to you, Linda!

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    1. Thanks very much, Linda. I appreciate the hugs!

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  11. This is a beautiful poem Linda. I can't imagine how much you miss him. I am glad he's still in on the celebrations. Congrats to your son.

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  12. Brought me to tears too, Linda - such a powerful metaphor and crafted with such care and love. Thinking of you & your family. Thanks so much for sharing. [My daughter and her fiancé just closed on their future house today.]

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    1. Thanks, Robyn, and what a big day for your daughter and her fiancé, too. That is something to celebrate!

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  13. What a beautiful, strong love poem, Linda. So much warmth and commitment, exquisitely expressed.

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  14. "...and love each piece of me and you." What a lovely tribute to the family you built together! We do miss our loved ones on these special occasions. So glad you feel connected to Arvie through the life (lives) you built together.

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  15. This is beautifully constructed, Linda. I especially love the last two lines. <3

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  16. I love your reflective, love poem, Linda. It's beautiful and touching.

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