~the thunder of history in her eyes

Inspired by art _ Old Woman Who Loved Pigeons by Judy Somerville

grasp of cold fingers touch

                within a warm humbl'd heart,

    speaks through blurred cataract’d vision

her aging world now seems small & inconsequential

     yet her stories are larger than the universe,

extend'd years lived to their fullest purpose

                never rest'd on her laurels

  even way back when women were tied to the kitchen

          she made her voice heard,

 albeit now a bit shaky & wavering 

    within her embolden'd apron strings

                unfold'd upon secrets,

           impart'd a million trial test'd smiles, 

held joy in her hands,

        aside her share of sadness in her heart

dealt with loss,  paid the piper plenty,

    revel'd in her golden glory days too

her hushed words nonetheless powerful,

    wisdom beyond compare, and then some to spare

    each earn'd wrinkle etch'd 

                    tells a story of intrigue, 

If you listen closely, with intent, you can still hear 

         the thunder of history in her eyes...

Author's Note

Reviews

[J. K. Beach]

Ah, Frieda... this was my first tasty treat from the Cafe this morning... I even listened to the lovely song (first... ) before I read your even lovelier words. Grandmother's (was this about yours in part?) are special beings--grown from long experience with all sorts of life's weather.

I was a lucky boy... I knew all my grandparents and seven of eight of my great grandparents, but my mom's mother... Maw Ruby was beyond priceless. Your poem has that gentle grandmother swag (my new favorite word... stolen from my middle school daughter) it waltzed into my mind and danced with my memories of her, Thanks so much for sharing!

[Frieda P]

Sadly, I never knew either, they lived in Italy, I finally met one when I visited, and she was in such poor health, we never really made a connection. I was close to my cousin's grandfather, that's about as good as it got. Thanks so much for your glowing words J.K. so glad it took you to that place, love swag by the way, I might steal it too, sounds like jazz'd to me. :)

[♔ CrownedDevil &#..]

Another beautiful piece, Frieda. :) Nicely written.

[TL Boehm]

lovely lovely - and a slight detour from your more prevailing shimmery winds...and dark storms. I liked it much and it made me miss my grandma. Yup.

[Aprille]

This is such a lovely tribute. Elder people may be ignored by some but they carry wisdom from realities of life. Well done. :)

[Troy Henson]

This was stunning Frieda...what a great little reminder and an ode to all our aging friends, family etc.

Life really is short isn't it?

Troy

[Ayushi]

Great piece of art inspired by another one.

Ahh lovely ending.. This description is just awesome.

[Simran Kewlani]

I love this, Frieda. This poem reminds me of my grandmother who dies in May. I felt her presence around me while reading this poem. I love this. Thank you for sharing it. :)

[lakki]

That was amazing!I'll say that I was missfortunate not to assist a talk with my grand_parents, they died long before my birth. So while reading your poem I wished I had the opportunity of reflecting it on my grand-parents, but don't worry it hadn't keep me of enjoying it. Besides, what was the picture for ;) Sorry for bringing this whole story of pasts, in time you need to hear something on your poem. It was really heartfelt, touching.

[Tai Ryens]

You portray the perspective of a woman so experienced that the world seems so very boring, yet to others who have not lived all the moments she has lived, her history sounds so mind-blowing and marvelous despite her downplaying of them; after all, having lived through the glory days and lived through the worst losses of her life, life in general might seem rather dull to her while thundering and spectacular to those lacking the experience. Well done.

[anne]

Your work is always unique......this was so beautiful.....including title few lines touched my heart....last two lines simply superv.......

[Tom]

With advancing years comes worldly knowledge, an unrecognised qualification from any classroom or university, gleaned and garnished through the acquirement of life experience with all it's trials and tribulations, so always respect our senior citizens and heed their wise counsel, for each has their very own unique story to tell !

A wonderful homily indeed Frieda, overflowing with respectful endearment to the elderly among us!