"Two wrongs may not make a right but a thousand wrongs make a writer.”

Monday, March 5, 2012

RUTH

The Central Plaza bustles with vendors.
A small woman trails necklaces for sale from both arms
and implores me to buy from her.
Remember Ruth, she says with a smile.

I remember her.
People brown and sturdy as earth,
travelers of space and time,
owners of the maize—
red, black, and gold.

I wish I had something of Ruth’s . . .
jade at my throat or a runner for my table.
A blanket for this winter night.
Eyes like that to lift a glass to.

11 comments:

Anthony Duce said...

Like this very much, has me thinking of the people before us, more so than in another land.

Yvonne Osborne said...

Thanks Tony. Yes, I had that in mind as well, those before us, here and far away.

I'm happy to see a familiar face. I was playing with my template and now it seems I can't go back.

Pet said...

You made me feel I had something of Ruth's too!
Lovely poem.

Anonymous said...

We were just in Ensanada (briefly) over the weekend and saw lots of people with necklaces for sale from both arms and imploring us to buy from them. I don;t think any of them were Ruth though.

Jemi Fraser said...

So touching. You paint such vivid heart-pictures - lovely.

Yvonne Osborne said...

Pet,
I'm glad! Thank you. I can still see her face.

Stephen,
Thank you. It's a beautiful place.

Jemi,
Thanks!!

Ed Pilolla said...

a small woman trailing necklaces for sale from both arms, that's the image i love.

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

this was great :)

Yvonne Osborne said...

Ed,
Thank you so much. She was so sweet and sincere without being pushy. I wish I had bought something from her.

Shelli,
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.

Golden Eagle said...

Wonderful poem!

I really love the line "Eyes like that to lift a glass to."

Yvonne Osborne said...

Eagle,
Thank you so much for commenting.