Elaine George Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

UN-RHY-ME Contest Judged:  11/30/2020 9:45:00 PM Sponsored by: Brian Strand |  See Contest Description

1

In Shades of Black and White

Elaine George

Authors Note:

The inspiration behind this, comes from a snapshot
taken 61 years ago, which somehow made its way back to me via
a relative and the modern miracle of facebook.

_________________________________________________________________________

 

In Shades of Black and White

In so many shades of black and white, I find you after all these years;
leaning against that old weathered clapboard schoolhouse,
high on the hill overlooking the Fundy Bay, 
and again, I inhale the fragrance of those wild sea salt roses
and feel the ocean mist upon my face, as I look out at those 
sunbeams dancing on the tops of those rolling waves.

There you are, in your hand-me-down dress,
with socks pooling around the tops of your shoes.
There, third row to the far left, sporting a home made bowl haircut,
and a smile of utter joy. 

After all years, in so many shades of black and white,
 I find that little lost girl, and I am a kid again.

In so many shades of black white, I find the true colors that are me. 

                                             ~~~

Author:  Elaine Cecelia George

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Susan Ashley December 2, 2020 at 10:56 AM Oh, such beautiful tender nostalgia, Elaine. Your poem captures my heart's imagination as the magic of your intimate imagery brings me to the center of your reverie. Your last line is a grand finale to an amazing piece. Congratulations for your excellent win in Brian's contest.. ~Susan Elaine George December 6, 2020 at 1:59 PM Thank you, Susan...much appreciated. ~ Elaine

John Watt December 1, 2020 at 12:02 PM Beautiful writing, Elaine. Your narrative is captivating, and the final line is exquisite. Congrats for your win ~ John Elaine George December 6, 2020 at 1:59 PM Thank you, John...much appreciated. ~ Elaine

Gary Radice December 1, 2020 at 2:06 AM There's a great depth of feeling in your words, Elaine from a snapshot in time. The last line, in particular, is wonderful. Elaine George December 6, 2020 at 1:58 PM Thank you so much for your kind comments, Gary...much appreciated. ~ Elaine

Paul Callus February 22, 2017 at 12:06 PM Ah!! Nostalgia....This B&W photo speaks to me, Elaine, so does the poem itself! Full marks to you. Regards // paul

Mark Martin February 22, 2017 at 12:05 PM Great idea using a photograph for the contest theme. Congratulations on your win Elaine! :-)

Iris E. Sankey- Lewis February 9, 2016 at 2:23 PM Brilliant what you did with black and white.

Bl Devnath January 13, 2016 at 11:25 AM Very nice remembrance colored the black and white. 7 from me. Loved always,bl

Richard Lamoureux July 19, 2015 at 7:30 AM I love the feeling of wanting that comes through in this nostalgic piece. I wrote a piece with another poet Monterey Siruk called "The Bridge" I think you might enjoy it. Thanks again for reading my ashes poem.

Andrea Dietrich July 16, 2015 at 7:34 PM and a fave!

Andrea Dietrich July 16, 2015 at 7:34 PM wow, this is REALLY good, dear. I think I kind of remember this contest and were I the judge, it would have gotten first place. Too bad you didn't make the deadline. You gotta save it to enter in a contest here. Surely one will come up in which you can use it. I just love this. Elaine George July 16, 2015 at 8:50 PM Thank you, Andrea. You are also so supportive of my writing, and it means so much to me. Elaine

Julia Ward July 16, 2015 at 1:09 AM A lovely poem bringing tears to my eyes. Oh, this is so definitely a FAVE. Julia, x Elaine George July 16, 2015 at 8:51 PM Thank you, Julia for your kind comments and support, it means so much to me. Elaine

Constance La France July 15, 2015 at 5:26 PM Elaine, so nice to hear from you, hope you are well. I recall this contest, your poem would have been a winner. The contest sponsor left soup and all our wins were lost. And thanks for visiting my poem, the story of a chair

Connie Marcum Wong July 6, 2015 at 1:54 PM This poem enchants the hearts of all of us who remember when photographs only came in black and white. Somehow the clarity of monochrome takes us right back to our youth. I hope you are well. Hugs, Connie Elaine George July 9, 2015 at 10:47 AM Hi, Connie, Thank you for dropping bye. Ye! I am well and looking forward to getting back to the soup soon. Think of you often. Elaine

Andrea Dietrich June 15, 2015 at 4:10 PM oh Elaine, this is wonderful. You are the one I met when I first came to Soup way back in 2010, right? Loved getting a visit from you again! Elaine George June 15, 2015 at 5:48 PM Hi, Andrea. Yes! It is me. I am still alive and visit the soup from time to time. I have added my middle name and country to my profile as some of my poems are being used as study tools on teaching sites etc., and they are giving credit to some of my poems to another poet with the name Elaine George. So nice to hear from you. I hope to post something in the near future. bfn Elaine

S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri May 11, 2015 at 1:22 AM A wondrful freeverse on a child with its milestones in growth n changes. In poetic shades n hues wow written in great ink wording inspired by an old snap in black n white! The imagery superb too. Thumbs up. Great to read frm u again. Elaine George May 13, 2015 at 7:03 AM Thank you so much, my friend, Elaine

Kp Nunez May 3, 2015 at 10:19 AM Hi Elaine. I followed your name from a comment you made on SKAT's collab with PD that got me curious about your poetry. I am glad I did. Your poem has one quality that is elusive in mine but which I find fascinating in other writes. It speaks to me on a deeper level. A 7. Hugs! Kim :) Elaine George June 15, 2015 at 5:51 PM Hi Kim, I apologize for taking so long to get back to You. Thank you for stopping by and reading my writing...much appreciated and thank you for your kind comments. Elaine C, George

Skat A April 30, 2015 at 7:35 PM this is deep Elaine...... SKAT Elaine George May 2, 2015 at 4:33 PM Thank you for dropping bye Skat. Elaine

Poet Destroyer A April 26, 2015 at 8:31 PM Hi Elaine, you are so sweet in the reply... HUGS

Poet Destroyer A April 12, 2015 at 12:26 AM I like everything about the poem Elaine, if only it was that easy for me to discover these shades. I see, somewhat grey ... This is deep... Thank you also for sharing the bottom note. It's amazing how far a reminder can go... Linda Elaine George April 17, 2015 at 8:39 PM Hi, Linda. Thanking you for taking the time to drop by, and for your comments. Like they say, 'A picture speaks a thousand words'. bfn Elaine

Carrie Richards April 3, 2015 at 1:24 PM You might just imagine how this poem is "my kind" of poetry! It speaks to my heart, with such a lovely, however melancholy and nostalgic it tends to be, .....one that reaches out and touches those places deep inside. So happy to see you are writing here again! I've missed seeing your writes !!

Richard Jordan March 27, 2015 at 2:57 PM In my mind you won that contest. Loved the poem. Richard. A# 7. Elaine George March 28, 2015 at 5:15 AM Thank you for your kind comments and support Richard. bfn Elaine

Emile Pinet March 26, 2015 at 8:08 AM The imagery is well suited for the ambiance that the author has created throughout this piece, one of rediscovering yourself through pleasant personal memories of the past. Emile. #7 Elaine George March 28, 2015 at 5:13 AM Thank you for your kind comments, dear Emile. It amazes me how much is captured in an old photograph. bfn Elaine