Violets

Violets
by Michael R. Burch

 
Once, only once,
when the wind flicked your skirt
to an indiscreet height
 

and you laughed,
abruptly demure,
outblushing shocked violets:
 

suddenly,
I knew:
everything had changed.
 

Later, as you braided your hair
into long bluish plaits
the shadows empurpled,
 

the dragonflies’
last darting feints
dissolving mid-air,
 

we watched the sun’s long glide
into evening,
knowing and unknowing.
 

O, how the illusions of love
await us in the commonplace
and rare
 

then haunt our small remainder of hours.
 

Published by Romantics Quarterly, Muse Apprentice Guild, Victorian Violet Press, Boston Poetry Magazine, and Poetry on Demand

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

I am reminded of young love in this beautiful snapshot of a moment in time. So visual, the incident of the wind raising the hem of the skirt, the blushing face, and the shocked violets. The not knowing whether this is the real thing, but experiencing that intense early passion. Very nicely penned. It took me back in time to a field of corn, blessed with poppies.

Chris

[Michael R. Burch]

Chris, I'm glad you liked "Violets" and thanks for taking the time to read and comment. While the scene is imaginary, I'm sure similar things have happened many times in the real world!

[Chris Shaw]

My mind did travel to Marilyn Monroe when the skirt lifted :)

[Michael R. Burch]

An iconic moment!

Have you read Marilyn Monroe's poetry? While the experts would no doubt sniff at it, I think she wrote some very touching poems. Here's a page I did on the subject, with some of MM's more poetic pictures:

http://www.thehypertexts.com/Marilyn%20Monroe%20Poet%20Poetry%20Picture%20Bio.htm

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for the link. I'll take a look.

[John the Baptist]

I liked especially the way this one ended, commenting on the illusions of love and their effects, haunting "our small remainder of hours." Romantic love is a sweet intoxicant which can distort our view of the world. It is not evil, just illusional in the idolatrous way the ego distorts it.

[Michael R. Burch]

In this case, I think there are two kids who fall in love innocently in their passion, who don't know what the future holds. Time is the culprit, not the ego. :)

[Lea Sheryn]

Well done! This is a great poem of a moment in a romance.

[Michael R. Burch]

Thanks, Lea, I'm glad you think so, and thanks for taking the time to read and comment.

[Lea Sheryn]

You're welcome, Michael. It was my pleasure.

[Michael R. Burch]

I will be sure to check out some of your poems, thanks.

[Lea Sheryn]

Thank you!

[Michael R. Burch]

You're very welcome.