Zenida

Not exactly the best one I've written, but definitely the most personal and emotional one.

 A gentle sigh escapes my lips,

and I place the roses on the dining table.
Roses, from whence we commemorated her death.

Her beautiful soul
was a paradox of many things.

Strong, but gentle.
Fierce, but loving.

A mother
A grandmother
A great-grandmother

Above all of that, she was a fighter;
Passionate for what she believed in.

Her absence was felt
As we dined in the garden that she had left.
Each flower, a remnant of her touch;
Remnants of her nurturing hands.

I look once more
At the roses on the table and let out a smile;
The grief, although present, consumes me no longer
As it once did this very day the year before.

That she was gone, caused us sorrow;
That she had her peace, brought us gladness.


In loving memory of Zenida Lazaro.

Reviews

[Nigel Newman]

Mari, the warmth of feeling for this obviously much missed lady is clear to see. I like the thread of roses and her garden that run through the poem. And I like the way you refer to the immediate grief of the previous year and now the more mellow sadness whilst acknowledging the peace she's found.

Nice work, sensitively done.

BRs Nigel

[Mari Baptiste]

Thank you, Nigel! :)

[barleygirl]

This is one of the best tributes I've read, as far as being for a person no longer living. You may not see this as one of your best, but maybe that's becuz you let it come out in a simple organic way, not trying to interfere with the feelings by doing too much word-crafting. To me, an honest straightforward approach works perfectly. I love the way this feels balanced, as described in your final couplet, the sorrow and the relief mixed (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[BlackPrince]

This is a wonderfully written poem commemorating a loved one.
You write with simplicity and depth, love and truth.

The imagery is striking and unforced.

You certainly have got a poetic soul.
You definitely know and love your craft.

Right from the first line ('A gentle sigh escapes my lips'), there is a certain suspense that kept me want to read more, to see where this was going.

I like your writing style.

WELL DONE

[Coyote Poetry]

A sad poem. Losing a Grandmother. Break our heart forever. All we can do is keep some pieces of her(Item she loved) and remember her. A wonderful poem shared for your Grandmother.
Coyote

[GwenLark]

So emotional. It was wonderful to read. Thank you for sharing

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Such a beautiful tribute to a dear one lost. We have only one mother and I feel the emotion, sadness and peace that her passing brought to you. Lovely words and images of her hands, her roses. Love this. God bless...

[Mari Baptiste]

I'm glad you loved it! :) She was my great-grandmother. We were very close.
God Bless you too! :)