Suffering Season

Ralph Waldo Emerson: “A woodland walk, a quest for river-grapes, a mocking thrush, a wild rose or rock-living columbine, salve my worst wounds.”

SUFFERING SEASON

broken…
the sediment — a deposition seed,
of what meaning, this scrawl?

splinters splayed, suffering season
comforted by a columbine.

pressed into the carnivorous cranny
of melancholic chords, phantom phenom
appears from sunless shadows,
felicitous with numb heartstrings.

pretense of petals pierced,
potent poison’d creative mind.

woman in white, welded to hatchery,
sings wisdom and solitude —
shy flower cranes its head to listen.

rebirth croons in crannied space,
cramps of convalescence released.

a lonely boy. . . the florid dove lands
on two fingers, he’s mesmerized —
the apparition strokes his hair.

2/21/2020
Flower in the Crannied Wall Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Craig Cornish
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Webster Avatar
March 14, 2020 at 6:27 PM
Wowzers! The only thing better than the alliteration is the deceptively well-measured free meter. I imagine you’re a devotee of the Late, but Immortal, Mary Oliver. Lots of lovely similarities in your use of symmetry and asymmetry of pattern. Congratulations on making top 10!
Rodrigues Avatar
March 14, 2020 at 6:29 PM
Thank you so much! I have read Mary Oliver...a nice compliment :)
Smith Avatar
March 14, 2020 at 5:35 PM
An excellent poem Kim, congrats. :)
Rodrigues Avatar
March 14, 2020 at 6:30 PM
Thanks, Gary!
Puddifoot Avatar
March 12, 2020 at 7:46 AM
i just love this, it's one of my personal favourites on the winners' list; the alliteration is excellent and i love the title..i've always thought you are a very talented writer - congrats on your win!
Rodrigues Avatar
March 14, 2020 at 6:30 PM
Thank you so much, sweet poet!
Pigeon Tart Avatar
March 11, 2020 at 8:01 AM
The columbine love the cracks! Mine all moved out of the garden to take up the cracks in the pavement up against the house. Love this :))) Congrats on your win! xomo
Rodrigues Avatar
March 11, 2020 at 8:26 AM
Thanks so much, Maureen! :)
Kauffman Avatar
March 9, 2020 at 4:44 PM
Kim, such a creative take on Craig's theme! Congratulations on your win!
Rodrigues Avatar
March 9, 2020 at 4:59 PM
Thank you, Sam!
Krutsinger Avatar
February 22, 2020 at 10:44 PM
I think you have a terrific chance at getting another podium win with this one!
Rodrigues Avatar
February 23, 2020 at 7:59 PM
Yay! Thank you for encouragement, dear sweet friend!
Dietrich Avatar
February 21, 2020 at 8:51 PM
I think you delivered the type of poetry Craig was looking for when he made this contest, kim. Very creative imagery. Wish I could think up something like this. but alas, this is one I will probably skip!!
Rodrigues Avatar
February 21, 2020 at 9:20 PM
Thanks so much, sweet lady! Hugs and xx
Pigeon Tart Avatar
February 21, 2020 at 1:33 PM
As soon as I read "columbine" I was hoping this was for Craig's contest. This is so good. My best to you in the contest! xomo
Rodrigues Avatar
February 21, 2020 at 6:50 PM
Thanks so much, Maureen! xx
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace