The begonias sit in careful rows
They line the porch
Soft as the purr of automobiles
A reassuring stitch in time
A quiet passing by
The doilies are dirty
We wipe them with water
All the better for serving tea
They suit the tablecloth
All blue and swirling tea pots
We work like assistants
Absorbed in our work and phobias
With a flash the candle puffs out
We grunt
Turn the key
The wind wails around our ears
Like gun shots
We stamp our feet to hide the sound
Stroke each others hair
Find a level rail on which to see each others eyes
The mass of people fades
We are back on the porch
Busy dreaming
Happy watering the flowers.
I love the tablecloth, all blue and swirling teapots. The wind wailing sounds ominous, so it is nice to close back on the porch and smiling.
ReplyDeleteYou have created a wonderful scene here. I love the ending and the happy watering of flowers. I can empathize.
ReplyDeleteThings get exciting, but it's always nice to get back to the basics. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWailing wind and snuffed candles call for a quotidian chore. Watering begonias in their careful rows will do nicely. May your watering can spring no leaks!
ReplyDeleteI love the return to watering flowers... I think the scent of the soil and the flowers can be the anchor that keeps us afloat.
ReplyDeleteI love the contrasting imagery, the hints at how things aren't quite what they seem, the way "the purr of automobiles" can turn into something far from gentle (if something goes wrong with the machine) just like in life.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the title.
The images in this do swirl...the flowers, the people, and...horses? It's a familiar picture, slant.
ReplyDeleteLove this. The begonias living life while all about them swirls and purrs.
ReplyDeleteI love how you and Robin are on the porch tending to your beautiful flowers.
ReplyDeleteWhat great dream like poetry written so beautifully Jae.
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful contrasting imagery here!❤️ I absolutely love this!
ReplyDeleteWatering the flowers on the porch is preferable to be being absorbed by phobias
ReplyDeletethe details are lovely ... and the return to routine (and comfort) is a nice way to end the poem.
ReplyDeleteHow beautifully graphic this is Jae, for as well as listening to your words we get involved in the action too just by youruse of the personal "we".
ReplyDeleteA wonderfully painted piece.
ReplyDelete'We are back on the porch
Busy dreaming
Happy watering the flowers.'
~ sigh ~ these small mercies
Love the stitch in time reference in relation to the flowers!
ReplyDeleteSatisfying!
ReplyDelete