of wanton, lonely woods,
unveiling, at last, a stillness not covered
by shadow of accusing, fingered twig,
or branch that grips as leeching shackle. Easing forward,
where sky and light baptize this peaceful place,
I discovered beauty
un-interrupted . . .
for violets traveled that mystic meadow
across the grass in clustered steps,
and grinning cherry blossoms --sweet puffs of snow!--
floated aloft on limbs of whispered grace
’til that visage could not help but last
upon my heart-- a sacred, soft impression.
I could not speak, but only lease a lengthy sigh
at finding proof of such perfection!
And though change and chill may repossess this stately acre,
cloaking it with gown of tender death,
yet, I’ll have faith in fruited smile
and always hear the softest touch
of love’s purple footprints.
Author notes
Just for fun: At this link you will find an older, sort of "companion" poem. I took the last word from each line of the linked poem and used them as the line endings of the one above, in the same order--then wrote kind of "backward" from there. The two pieces have some intentional, and, LOL, necessary similarities, but are meant to stand on their own.
http://allpoetry.com/poem/3858705
In a list
A contest entry
- Mother of All My Contests - For MY Favorites Only by CarolDesjarlais.
5250 points, ended July 15, 12 entries
Honorable winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
-
And though change and chill may repossess this stately acre,
cloaking it with gown of tender death,
yet, I’ll have faith in fruited smile
and always hear the softest touch
of love’s purple footprints."
what evocative descriptions.... such fragile beauty that is sustained by faith in return... lovely, lovely!
-
Wow! What a creative venture, from the last words of each old line to a new and lovely work! Yes, they both stand on their own.
Loved "accusing, fingered twig" and "violets traveled...in clustered steps." Excellent "cloaking it with gown of tender death" and "always hear the softest touch of love's purple footprints." Very nicely done!

-
Amazing! A beautiful piece to be read over and over. Thank you for sharing this. Juls


-
Sigh~
I LOVE this...Bookmarked to read many more times
I started several times to copy and paste my favorite parts because there was so many...Just breathtaking all the way through....
Sighs again~
But, what an ending!
"
yet, I’ll have faith in fruited smile
and always hear the softest touch
of love’s purple footprints."
This is beyond amazing
Lynda


-
So beautifully written. I love the softness of your work, like leaves floating on the wind. Wonderful phrasing and gorgeous imagery. A beauty hun. Hugs, Bunny


-
You always post something that I can savor, this is no different. Clever and beautifully done. Love, C








