By Margaret J. Vann
Huntsville Branch, Alabama
“April is a good time to fall in love.” V.C.
Remembering, I searched the wood,
found the Catsby and trillium hanging its head,
cinquefoil, bluets, not your smile, vinca minor, yellow root.
I remember the smell of hay-scented fern
beneath our backs among the banks of Iris cristada
beneath a bluebird sky with clouds drifting forever.
My world was scented with sweet shrub, sweet kisses, sweet words.
See the arrow wood, arrow into my heart, heart leaf,
woods violet, your eyes, blue-eyed grass.
I find indian turnip, hear woodpeckers drumming like my heart
and walk through dogwood snow.
Oh, I am crucified by your love in spring showers,
new leaves torn from green branches, new love torn from my soul,
water whispering over rocks—going to the sea—gone—
April love shy as violets, remote as the thrush,
fragrant as the pinxter azalea, elusive as the arbutus.
Will I find you again among the leaves
as I search the April woods for lady slippers
beneath the dappled shade and my heart
misplaced by careless keeping?
A poem that brings smiles and must be read again, and then again.
The use of language and repetition makes this poem both stop and flow . . . Such beautiful images (“dogwood snow”), and the second stanza has superb repetition throughout (“arrow wood, arrow into my heart, heart leaf”), and in the first, wonderful use of subtle alliteration (“beneath our backs among the banks of Iris cristada beneath a bluebird sky”) – what a stirring expression of young love and loss.
This is so evocative and lovely and heartbreaking. My mother was a poet; she would’ve loved this.
Lovely poem! I do hope all worked out well for the person in the poem.
Bonnie
Just like the refreshment of Spring and new growth this poem is so descriptive of the fragrance of new, sweet love, then after being entertwined in it, it is crucified and torn away. I had to read it several times to let the words sink in. Thank you for sharing!
thank you for sharing this heartfelt poem.
The tone of the poem sets the scene for the beauty of nature and remembrances of love..
Agree ! 👏👏 🌿
Lovely visuals … Thank you …
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