you fling
the blooms, graceful–
hands filled with abundance,
harvest untroubled by
time’s immanent
decay,
the cost
of seeds waxing–
each life encircled by
its opposite—how all
language breaks in
to tears—
but dance!–
the seasons are
not closed—the same sun that
sets early now will grow,
expand, greet sky
open
again,
in tangible
contrast to our useless
attempts to resist, turn
back clocks, challenge
the tides
My response to Merril’s autumn ekphrastic prompt at dVerse. I chose the above image, Child Dancing With Chrysanthemum Branch. Chrysanthemums are the birth flower of November, symbolizing both long life and mourning or grief. I’ve used Jane’s Oracle 2 words as inspiration.
I did not realize until after I wrote the poem and was searching for appropriate images how well it fit this response to Nick Cave’s soundsuits that I did for a recent Kick-About prompt.
The soundsuits created by Nick Cave, the artist, are totally different than the songs created by Nick Cave, the musician.
K. 
This is gorgeous, Kerfe. I love everything about it.
i really like the flow of words in your badger’s hexastitch–like time and the seasons’ passing.
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Thanks Merril. I didn’t know anything about chrysanthemums before, except that I see them everywhere this time of year. Their many contradictory associations makes them perfect for November and thinking about time.
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You’re welcome. Yes, I didn’t know all that about them either.
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Who knew writing poetry was a learning experience? But that’s one of its delights.
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I agree, Kerfe.
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Nice one. Thanks for the Nick Cave sound video too.
Much💜love
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Thanks Gillena and your welcome.
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What a lovely lot of badgers! I especially like second one, closely followed by the third. It’s the language breaking into tears that did it for me.
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Thanks Jane. The second one is my favorite too. I wonder if the opposites of the flower’s associations are the reason it’s associated with November. That’s what started my chain of thought, and the words fit well into where it went.
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There are lots of contrasts in those few words. When I see ‘seeds waxed’I can’t help but think of the film of poison the big seed companies put on some seed to kill hungry birds. The growing of plant life on an industrial scale is fraught with inconsistencies.
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It’s a horrible thing–just part and parcel of the loss of our connection to the land.
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We’re incapable of sharing. We fence off land as if we own it and refuse to allow anything else access to it.
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Just love this whole post right down to the music of Nick Cage – perfect ❤
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Thanks!
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I really liked this kerfe, liked the shape of the poem, and like the way it addressed the image, and thought your choice of music was excellent. I always like your collages and these were wonderful.
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Thanks Rob. Nick Cave (and the painting) are good inspiration.
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This poem is so diverse and holds much to converse about. I like these lines ❤
"how all
language breaks in
to tears—"
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Thanks. The opposites in this painting were what drew me to it.
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Oh! I do love this one!! Chrysanthemums are a favorite flower of mine – according to my dictionary the yellow ones mean unrequited love.
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Thanks Muri. Each color has different meanings, and sometimes contradictory ones. The original ones were evidently yellow. Chrysos means gold.
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simply lovely, K. Thanks for the eye feasting and poem read in my head. Lovely as everything you do. Thanks.
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Thanks Selma.
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Wise and uplifting words, and beautiful collage work, Kerfe!
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Thanks Ingrid. I had good inspiration!
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awesome composition, music and so love that collage … thanks so much Kerfe!
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Thanks Kate!
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Beautiful and perfect! Every element of this post came together to make it gorgeous!
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Thanks Punam.
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My pleasure.
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I enjoyed the ebb and flow rhythm of this piece, like waves washing up on shore and pulling away again.
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Thanks!
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“the same sun that
sets early now will grow,
expand, greet sky
open”
Beautiful lines, beautiful poem. 🙂
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Thanks!
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🙂
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I really like this poem and picture, Kerfe. A personal favourite of your works.
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Thanks Robbie. Nick Cave is very inspiring.
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So beautiful and wise. I didn’t realize that about mums. No matter whether our lives are on the wax or the wane of a cycle, still we dance. I love it.
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We do! Thanks Jade.
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