Mournful mottled montage, yearning youth,
cracked, parched paper left worn and wondering;
summer’s bloom faded, colour’s washed out,
leaving life wrapped in September’s rust,
though memories of childhood still linger.
As dew dripped from fresh, crisp grass,
laughter rang like an unsullied breeze;
Akin to faeries in a field, feet glided,
pirouetting rain-dances innocently,
as the sun was reborn in the North.
Then year grew to full figured maturity,
like a heatwave under blazing summer sun;
raw, hot passions replaced youthful innocence,
what was once carefree became careful;
I could not shrug and let the World fall.
In silence, snuggly swaddled in comfort,
with memories falling like myriad snowflakes,
my whole life stretched behind me;
mirrored on frozen, icy surface,
a winter reflection of all I once was.
Is that all that I was and all I will become?;
as I continue to gaze at tones of reds and rust,
The leaves have fallen yet I realize,
though naked, I stand still tall, straight and lithe;
picturesque and as beautiful as the wind..
What was once nothing but a blank canvas,
is now inscribed with brushstrokes of splendor;
fine lines highlight the corner of smiling lips,
that have known the joy of a lover’s kiss;
with eyes that have shone through all seasons.
Author notes
User Name: Evil Fills The Sky
This piece is 30 lines, not including line-breaks.
This piece is not a direct visual take on the picture prompt, so I'm not sure if it's suitable for the contest, therefore I will explain a little and let you decide if it's ok or not.
I saw the picture as not seperate women, but one woman looking back on her life, with the seasons each being a point in her life.
The main focus of the poem is Autumn, as I envisioned her as early/approaching early middle-aged, with this equating to Autumn and this gives it a good perspective for reflection of life past and what is still to come.
The first stanza is the set up of this viewpoint, describing her life as it is at that point, equating it to the season of Autumn.
Second stanza is her youth, thus equating to spring.
Third stanza is her maturing and reaching the fulness of adulthood, thus it is equated with summer.
Forth stanza she looks to the end of her life in old age, equating it with winter.
The last two stanzas are her re-evaluating the 'autumn' of her life and seeing that she is not as worn as she thinks she is, seeing the beauty of herself at that stage of her life.
I hope this explanation helps and I hope this means it is ok for the contest prompt and as always, sorry for the long notes.
A contest entry
- Picture prompt; 10 entries, I NEED 3 MORE PLEASE ENTER!! by perfectsunset.
380 points, ended May 6, 2008, 7 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
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Well I think your gold trophy answers your question about whether the poem was suitable. Congratulations.
Very well written, and a worthy winner.
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Wow
This left me completely breathless...
I read your author's notes first so that I could understand what you were trying to imply with each stanza and you took the picture to a totally new level.
It was colourful, bold & brilliant, filled with imagery bt most importantly; depth, meaning, emotion.
I really like how you've chosen Autumn as the main season for this woman looking back on her life throughout the seasons, as Autumn happens to be my favourite As is, hers too. I really like how you showed life's developments in a woman from childhood youth through adulthood and reaching old age still realizing that she is beautiful even with withered body, sore bones, and weak knees. you've captioned that vision where she may have many wrinkles, but through the wrinkles, she still smiles.
This was jam packed with everything I was looking for, but not expecting. Deep thought, imagery, and colour just pours from each line and the seasons relating t each stage of her life is pure brilliance. I loved it, absolutely now one of my faves.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful piece & best of luck
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