I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

2 May 2013

Life's Confusing, In'it?

Two confused young men
stopped being ordinary and bombed Boston.
Others, confused by smoke and noise, 
but with clear hearts,
ran back to try and help.

When my dear was alive, exhaustion 
thinned my patience; 
love had me hope 
for his swift release. But now ...
Be careful what you pray for.

In the monsoon season
weeks of battering rain
gutted my strong geraniums.
The weeds, though, flourished.
Those with glossy leaves I'll keep.

Poetic Asides Wednesday prompts: write a confused poem

 Submitted for Poets United's Poetry Pantry #149
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28 comments:

  1. Vandana Sharma5 May 2013 at 16:28

    LOVE AND HOPE CAN CONQUER ALL.

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade5 May 2013 at 18:03

      I do believe that love can conquer all. Thank you for the reminder. While hope can be a comfort, I personally consider intention more powerful.

      Delete
  2. Suzy5 May 2013 at 16:45

    Be careful what you pray for - that is ever so true. I believe that what we ask for is always granted, just not in the way we expect.
    Dropping by from Poetry Pantry.

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  3. Jennifer Wagner5 May 2013 at 16:45

    Wow Rosemary. Such a strong piece of poetry. I love everything about it.

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade5 May 2013 at 18:04

      Oh, thank you! What a great reader you are. :-D

      Delete
  4. Kodjo Deynoo5 May 2013 at 19:42

    The world is confused.....

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  5. Mary5 May 2013 at 21:09

    I enjoyed the ending stanza. Sometimes one CAN find beauty in the weeds. If nothing else they ARE survivors, and that is no small thing. Strange that the geraniums did not survive though, as they ARE generally strong. What lives and what dies...it seems we are not in charge of deciding, and life is indeed confusing.

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade6 May 2013 at 07:25

      The geraniums have survived, but what was a tall abundant bush has been reduced to next to nothing. The rain-storms were very fierce and tore bits off trees, let alone geraniums!

      Delete
  6. kaykuala5 May 2013 at 21:51

    This is a confused world to start with. Lots are utterly disarrayed but one can be disciplined in thinking. In one's own way one can make things better for oneself and thereby help others as well. Nicely Rosemary!

    Hank

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  7. ZQ5 May 2013 at 22:30

    Yup!
    ZQ

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  8. dsnake16 May 2013 at 02:03

    a very strong poem.

    "Be careful what you pray for." : that's probably very true.

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  9. Kimolisa6 May 2013 at 02:21

    A very powerful poem with amazing imagery

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  10. Anonymous6 May 2013 at 02:24

    This poem packs a real punch it speaks of great tragedy, love and hope wonderfully done!

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  11. Audrey Howitt aka Divalounger6 May 2013 at 02:56

    Perhaps all three scenarios really speak to be most about how we can grow some loss and confusion---Very powerful piece

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  12. PhotoDiction6 May 2013 at 03:10

    There are always weeds. Hopefully the garden is nourished enough that it can withstand their ability to smother.

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  13. LLM Calling6 May 2013 at 03:35

    what a wonderful poem reminding us to have hope

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  14. Sherry Blue Sky6 May 2013 at 04:17

    I understand the confused emotions of exhaustion very well. Love the geraniums making their sturdy way into this poem. Hopefully they will regain their footing.

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  15. Anonymous6 May 2013 at 05:08

    Wow. I love the last verse of this thought-provoking poem. Clear images and a sense of place in each stanza. How you manage to take three events and connect them successfully is worthwhile. Thanks.

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  16. Lisa Williams6 May 2013 at 05:28

    Wonderful description of our confused world. I love the power of your close about the weeds, "those with glossy leaves I'll keep."

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  17. Rosemary Nissen-Wade6 May 2013 at 07:29

    Thank you all for understanding this poem so well, and taking the trouble to say so. :)

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  18. Susan6 May 2013 at 08:33

    O, Rosemary! Sometimes it seems unfair/tragic and not just confusing. I feel saddest about the second verse where good and bad are indistinguishable.
    (An aside: I always thought the son that stayed home should be at least as celebrated as the prodigal, but it is the one who is hardest to save, hardest to love that we must learn to take by the hand. Can't say I'm always willing.)

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  19. TCPC6 May 2013 at 14:47

    Ah! yes we do get torn between what to do and not. But such is life!

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  20. Jinksy6 May 2013 at 20:07

    Those with glossy leaves I'll keep.

    After all, weeds are only wild flowers in the wrong place. I guess the same can apply to people...

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  21. aka_andrea6 May 2013 at 21:15

    be careful what you wish for and sometimes a weed is really a rose. it's all about perception. this is wonderful

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  22. Unknown8 May 2013 at 00:22

    Life, and its many confusing aspects, tied up in a neat little package here, Rosemary.

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  23. hyperCRYPTICal8 May 2013 at 02:05

    Life is confusing and it is true that sometimes we don't really want what we wish for.

    The glossy leaves - an excellent close.

    Anna :o]

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  24. Scott Matthews9 May 2013 at 04:16

    Ah poignant and not over done. I like this very much!

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