Notes About The Poem
Edward Ibeh's Pick-A-Title. Vol 46 Contest...Submitted 11 Sept 24

Until Then

Along the tracks of Grandma's quaint backyard, her lavender perfume reminded me of my early teenhood,
digging the soil to thresh the roots as I buried seeds through its clayed womb.

 In this late hour, my eyes feel her calm laughter, speaking to each blossom and naming every new bud after me:
 Somehow, I sit on an old bench recalling how we tended ringlets of leaves...a pleasure which grew through seasons until it was my time to water more trees rising higher than I.
 And fragile like shamrock, Grandma bowed low to greet new shoots while her fingers wrinkled and grew thin --hiding her unknown body pain. 

Oh she owned the moon ; nature was her lavish throne.

Gathering a few truant stems, I hear her banter among vines... a melody so bouyant descending
from God knows where on the horizon:
I smile  and sob in reverence at this panoram among the mist and weeds of duskfall.

A pond stretches its loop where ripples curl between my toes; and a festoon of red blooms huddle on its bent slope weaving through the rim of a hill...
 The nimble tap of spring grazes my face as I wiggle my palms to relish this moment draped in pristine streams-- achingly alone-- bearing all 
the glow of Grandma  before an ensemble of birds whisks by.

 Now as a midlifer, I trace back my teenhood  with charmed fondness, knowing this secret garden is now mine to nourish and harness--
her spirit sashaying across the pampas 
with abandon--

until then and until when, I cling to ' now.'
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Eslinger Avatar
March 3, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Wow! Read line following marvelling line as they moved straight to my remembering heart. This superb prose poem could describe my own grandma & her dainty backyard gardenm which i think of EVERY DAY so many decades…Faving & now following you! Bless you.b thank you. sally
Beaufort Avatar
October 20, 2024 at 8:21 AM
Nette, your poem so lovingly brings your grandmother back to life. It's a lovely tribute to her and reflects very well upon you as well. It takes a noble person to honor someone like you did here.
Ibeh Avatar
October 17, 2024 at 7:12 AM
Sublime, captivating piece, Nette. I absolutely loved it. Heartiest congratulations on your win in my contest!
One Avatar
October 14, 2024 at 12:57 PM
Your poem evokes a deep sense of nostalgia, beautifully capturing the speaker's connection with their grandmother through the shared ritual of tending a garden. The imagery of lavender perfume and "threshing the roots" grounds the poem in sensory detail, evoking a time when the speaker, in their early teens, engaged in the simple yet profound act of planting seeds alongside their grandmother.
George Avatar
October 13, 2024 at 9:22 PM
"Oh she owned the moon ; nature was her lavish throne." Your grandma's image is now etched deep in my mind, a reverent lady who loved nature and all its flora and fauna. As your memories are slowly unveiled, I too slip back into my childhood. Greatly enjoyed this nostalgic piece. All the best dear Nette.
Hind Avatar
October 12, 2024 at 8:26 AM
Beautiful memories...you write very well, I enjoy reading your work, <3 loved how you went back in time, gorgeous
Goldsmith Avatar
October 11, 2024 at 1:40 PM
WOW!!! Your "Until Then" is a lovely write/story. Good memories are the best kind to have. "Good Luck" Have a wonderful Autumn day writing away...................
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