The Scent of Water

In the Christmas Freeze of 1983
Mama thought she lost her Oleander tree
Some called it a “bush,” but at 14 feet tall
Its shadow cast wide on her home’s southern wall

How she mourned the loss of this beloved plant
She begged the Lord for any blessing He’d grant
The freeze ended soon, though her tree appeared dead
The scent of water each day clung to its bed

On January twenty-fourth, the call came
Dad said mom entered God’s heavenly domain
A neighbor had found her, lying in the yard
Next to remnants of a plant she’d not discard

In May a miracle appeared to occur
The strong plant revived, as if waiting for her



*True occurrence based on my mother’s death, January 24, 1984.
Poem written July 12, 2014
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014


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

Date: 7/24/2014 7:48:00 PM
wow, this one is amazing, CArolyn. What a GREAT story you told with this unique sonnet. I just love this one of yours. Congrats on the winners' list. think I will fave this one too!!!
Login to Reply
Date: 7/24/2014 2:02:00 PM
Congrats on a fine win my friend! A very fine write and one that evokes memories of my grandmother. Grandfather found her in the front yard, lying there passed on from a heart attack. S 1962, she was only 55 years old...I was 8 years old..
Login to Reply
Date: 7/24/2014 2:10:00 AM
And back again with huge congrats my dear friend Carolyn //Upma//
Login to Reply
Date: 7/23/2014 8:40:00 PM
Congrats Carolyn on your win with this touching poem.
Login to Reply
Date: 7/23/2014 4:45:00 PM
Sad in one way, but beautiful and inspiring in another. Love the bond between mum and bush; reminds me of the loving faithful one who gives her life to save another. Congrats on a deserved win, Carolyn! // paul
Login to Reply
Date: 7/23/2014 4:24:00 PM
Hi Carolyn, This poem about the tree's connection with your mother is so very moving. There is a spirituality, as I have often thought trees had, underlining your beautifully expressed poem. Regards Theresa xx
Login to Reply
Date: 7/23/2014 12:17:00 PM
Carolyn, thank you for entering my contest with this wonderful true story of renewal. Congratulations on your placement. Faye
Login to Reply
Date: 7/13/2014 6:34:00 PM
HEAVY STUFF Carolyn. I read you for many selfish reasons. One is to experience the honesty of what you write. Most people won't touch stuff which you seem to put down well on paper. Inspiration is another reason. I do not enjoy seeing people in pain. But those who are brave enough to proactively deal with it through art need to be commended.
Login to Reply
Date: 7/13/2014 1:34:00 AM
Very lovely sonnet Carolyn! His strange ways,, tough to understand dear! Gl in contest!
Login to Reply
Date: 7/12/2014 10:17:00 PM
Beautiful sonnet Carolyn..Yet there is sadness..a heartfelt write....hugs
Login to Reply
Date: 7/12/2014 8:55:00 PM
Wow Carolyn...What an amazing occurrence...Many mysterious thing happen when there is a strong bond and one is no longer there...beautiful sonnet ....hugs Tim
Login to Reply
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter