Far from the withering gaze of the preacher
The women gather at the riverbank.
Musician, hunter, poet, mother,
Like pearls freed from their shells
They gather lilies and herbs for the midwife.
Madeline floats with her socks on
To rise like a myth on loosened wings
In the dress with a musical bar
Imprinted around the hem.
Shells empty of their pearls,
Like the houses of their ancestors,
Float by in the reel of the river.
Far from the withering gaze of the preacher
Her companions bare their breasts
to the sun,
And Madeline takes off her dress.
11 comments:
Intriguing wonderfully applied imagery.
Thanks Tony.
I love this take on the prompt! Feels like an awakening/empowerment theme. I love the added imagery of the music bar design on the dress.
The peaceful, gentle, purposeful vibe in your poem intoxicates.
p.s. It's a really beautiful poem.
Lia, thank you so much!
Helen,
Thanks and thanks for always reading my sparodic posts.
A wonderful poem Yvonne! Really great to read through several times to allow the scene to come to life. A lot of stuff exposed throughout the poem!
Yvonne, this is such a different take on the picture, I didn't choose this one because it reminded me of Millais' Ophelia - but you have given us, far from a suicide driven in part by the Patriarchy, a joyous preparation for a new birth surrounded by the Matriarchy, with wonderful images of nature, river's reel and pearls liberated from their shells. Superb...
Frewin,
Thank you. Right, I tried to make it all about women with the freedom of choices, much more joyful than suicide! I appreciate your thoughts.
There is freedom here and self affirmation. Love the interpretation!
Grace,
Thank you!
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