Ophelia's Song

Her face tawny and weathered Is richer than the earth of a thousand years With flowing furrowed lines of contented history That are written deeply at each union, worn like a scar She lifts her native face to compose a melody of love As a caged canary sings sweetly to all who pass and listen The furled corners of her mouth are turned Like the curve of leaves in spring when she speaks She shares her gift of emanating smiles that beam Softly as the sunrise on a foggy day Under her yielding dimples of thankfulness Her soulful song rises like a serendipitous sunrise Resounding from her folkloric heart Which flows with the blood from primitive waters Wholesome and untarnished as she serenades With the story of quiet truths that serve her so well Her brow lifts arcing like rainbows after a warm rain As laughter streams from eyes that reach to greet others With untroubled humbleness and shyness From the deep brown depth of their soulful well While her simple, tiered and colorful skirt of cotton Twirls round with the circular bliss of blossoming flowers Capturing the playfulness of bright angel's dancing Her strength and commitment are pure For she chose the soul of man to carry with her In the reed woven basket she made to keep her dreams The work, toil and sweat of many generations Rest heavy in her heart tilled by her tireless plow She is the honey essence of all that is good and tender She is loved by the elders, blessed by the children For with each new day She gives back what she has taken With no risk of what she may lose December 2, 2019 The Metaphor of Your Face Poetry Contest Sponsored by John Lawless