Sunday 7 October 2012
Weeping Forsythia
Sick woman 1665 Jan Steen
In closed and curtained rooms
the pendulum swings down
with the passing time.
Wooden floors creak as you tiptoe by
hoping not to waken me, shivering
I pull close my paisley shawl, eyes closing.
Thick air clouded with scents of weeping forsythia and burdock
my china cup cloudy with remnants of potions to cure me,
scattered dandelion and angelica seed,
dust ground down.
As night draws in, the candlelight flickers
shadows of the watchers in corners
and in a room close by a baby mews
for the wet nurse.
KD 7/10/12.
I give many thanks that last week my daughter gave birth to a healthy, beautiful little girl,and they are both well. With gratitude.xx
Do go and see what the other writers and poets made of this image at Tess's The Mag.
Labels:
childbirth,
dutch masters,
gratitude,
jan steen,
magpietales,
poems,
the mag,
writing
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What good news. You must all be so happy for the new life that is part of your family.
ReplyDeleteNice setting in your poem, what with all the flowery potions and lotions. No burdock or hemlock I hope :-)
May your new arrival give and receive much happiness. I await grandchild number 4 this coming week.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations... I just love babies!!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to read the news of a birth, for the poem put me in a place of despair. Not complete loss, but unknowing... will she die or live?
ReplyDeleteBut now, in my mind, she is part of creation; even if her life goes out, there is a new flame to continue her legacy ;-)
trust the weeping forsythia to cure the infection....of course she will live!!,,thank you all for your comments and good wishes,,x kay
ReplyDeleteGlad for babies! Thanks
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderfully happy time for all! I do see where your poem came from too! Congrats for your daughter!
ReplyDeleteHooray!
ReplyDeleteOutstanding!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteSecondly, this poem was a delight.
A feast for my senses.
I like this. The potions that cure, and we have many. I love the idea of the watchers in the corners. Great read!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your granddaughter.
Yes it reeks of child this image , does it not ? , and i am glad for you the worry is done and your cup runneth over, tour words convey fhe relief.
ReplyDeleteLovely writing in celebration of a new granddaughter!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the arrival of a new-born. It would start the whole experience of child-minding all over again! Nicely Kay!
ReplyDeleteHank
Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI like how you implemented the home remedies into this piece. Well written!
This is so atmospheric. I really like the description of the scents and potions and the feeling of inevitable doom. On the other hand I add my congratulations on the arrival of a grandchild - nothing but joy there!
ReplyDeleteIllness, but a newborn balances life.
ReplyDeleteLovely atmospheric write and congrats on the new arrival!
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
I cannot express to you my great appreciate of your stanza mentioning the herbal antidotes. How wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news! Shades of past times walked the floor with this verse - perfect!
ReplyDelete