...for Dolly
The gardener arrives
in the company of silver
secateurs and frigid air
Yet no pang of cut and cold
could erase rainbow's reflection
on her blushing spathe
Dandelions around her
drenched with the kiss of rain
one butterfly breaks his wing
But there’s not even a shadow
of fear, nothing but an ocean
of peace fills her vision
She is elegant as her first bloom
Invincible to tears, thankful even to goodbye
She will not fade away…only her name
Author notes
The grace of a flower primed for harvest in 80 words.
This poem is dedicated to a journalist friend named Dolores "Dolly" Aglay who passed away recently after her romance with cancer. Her husband said she had the most graceful death he has ever seen. Dolores in Spanish means sorrow. It is also a name given to a distinct cultivar of Anthurium.
A contest entry
- grace: by Nicolette.
950 points, ended June 16, 2008, 13 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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Nay this is a beautiful piece of writing.
You've done great honor to the spirit of Dolly. And to her kin. You should feel very proud of this poem.
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ang lalim nito!
but bravo...i don't even want to use this word [kasi parang kulang pa sya bravo 10x hmmm?]
what matter's how amazed i am on this
the choice of words as metaphors...
i'm not familiar with the other words
but i love how you chose them put them all together...wow!
ang galing galing nga nito
Anna Lee
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and a rose by any other name is still....well, Delores.
Beautifully written. Once again, I see the 'grace' within your lines. Lots of intimacy and layered revelation that bud from all involved.
I know this hurt and love the 'woe' that teaches us about how to comfort others.
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This is lovely, how the metaphor weaves between life and death, always with peace. We see only endings - you draw our attention to what comes after, a harvest. I like the gentle and evocative metaphor and phrases, "the kiss of rain", "not even a shadow of fear".
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Kaibigan...this is your best work for me. I have seen images clear and very sound. The tone of sorrow is light as a feather without pain or guilt.
Everything in this is so meaningful. Your friend would be happy reading this on the otherside.
Excellent
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Salamat, Hensley. You always make my day with your words. Paborito ko rin 'to. I plan to give it to Dolly's husband. But I'll do that after I blog about it. I was just inspired by the grace of her death.
Thank you
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This is a very moving and poignant tribute to a very special woman. I liked how you've applied her name, as well as the metaphor of a flower. I love using flowers and natural things as metaphors - so this poem speaks right to me.
I live in South Africa and the anthurium is of course native to South Africa but I didn't know that "Doroles" is one of its names (so I learned something - thanks).
Grace even in the face of cancer and to the end, yes that is a very special kind of grace. Thank you for this entry.
~ Nicolette
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A lovely poem.well written and honest, I just feel sorry for the flowers.
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