To All Of Those Who Made Me

Everything blooms in the mirror,

in stillwater eyes and cornsilk hair,

in the lamplight before the twilight

when all is asleep and unaware.

The past unfolds like origami,

like old love letters in roses bloom.

In black velvet deep, secrets to keep

tangle in tendrils, in skin, in room.

Phantom voices whisper of regret,

of sorrows born and dreams unfulfilled,

of a silent hell never to well,

and knuckled prayers by night now stilled.

Moth mother burned by too many flames

seeking the taste of forbidden fruit.

She dragged her pain behind smiles in vain.

Her empty hands begging, resolute.

Fallow father, golden leaf floating,

ever present in fountain of youth.

He was a shield on the battlefield,

a dissolution, a death in truth.

A regal remnant peering through mist,

he watched over the family tree;

and as I look, I too see him look.

He looks outward and onward through me.

Songbird sisters, a magpie and crow,

pleating the wind on a slant of sky

chasing their dreams on magic moonbeams

looking downward with their heads held high.

A chorus of birds lifts them in song.

The sun burns quickly into a smolder.

I close my eyes and soar through the skies.

In a blink, we are so much older.

Wine that was poured and pressed into me,

the sour grapes of lovers now past,

through thick and thin, they live in my skin,

a patchwork quilt unraveling fast.

All of these faces hang on the wall

down the hallway in back of my mind,

and I truly care for what is there

for what is near yet so far behind.

The one who loves me smiles when I smile.

He flirts with the wind and time and space.

He loves the lush of salient hush

and is the gusto to all my grace.

He is ruggedly rough and handsome

with the earth in the palm of his hands.

He is an offering, a blessing,

and a comfort to all life demands.

A Clay Street girl and a Church Street girl,

I am a woman of Sunnymeade.

A sappy thing, I cry when I sing.

I am a human; and yes, I bleed.

Everything blooms in the mirror.

All things return to where they should be.

Let everything fall, tears and all,

to weep for all of those who made me.

Author's Note

Reviews

[emipoemi]

can't get over how magical and mystical this is. Poetic and Profound! Well done!

[Elisabeth Acosta]

Poetic song, a melody sweet to read. I can't explain it, but to read it was not just to conjure up images from the words, instead I felt like I was listening to a song. This was is a beautiful poetic melody.

[Richard🖌]

I think it must be somewhat normal, Linda,
because I've heard it said many a time over the years, "I love this poem or I've fallen in-love with this poem!"
I never thought much of it … until now, and it is hard for me to say, Linda, but, but … ummm, I've fallen for this poem, as it resonates through my being, deep into my very core , and every fiber of my being, I'm literally imbued with every un-wasted word of it, every even flow and spot-on rhyme, presentation, the eye and heart embracing picture, the story itself, amazing syntax, the uniqueness of nine-count lines, all you've said, how you expressed it, every Octet bringing me, pulling me more deeply into your moment … I felt the earth slip away, and a was actually stunned when it ended, but it only ended on the page … there's the lasting glow I'm left in.
I listened to the song afterward: Jia Peng Fang's Silent Moon, and drifted farrr away⁓⁓⁓⁓⁓*

Forgive my exuberance, please, Linda, but I know you know what it feels like to fall in-love! ⁓ Richard 💛

1,000/100

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

What a beautiful thing to say, Richard. I really appreciate every single word more than you know. This poem was completely unplanned. It just spilled from my soul onto paper. It's funny how the years provide the distance and the clarity that allow you to fully appreciate everyone and everything that you have been through. Good and bad both combine to make you who you are. Like a teapot tarnished, the years provide the cloth that allows you to buff it to a shine, to really appreciate its beauty. I find more and more that I am able to forgive. Even if I don't understand, I try to, even when it seems impossible.

I'm glad you understand.

Love,

Linda Marie

[William Liston]

Linda, the relatability of this piece combined with it's strong poetic voice and effect make this an absolute gem.
Your words flowed smooth and naturally. I very much enjoyed the little moments of internal rhyme and how it made the piece sing throughout.
Your message is not only clear, but is stated in a way that resonates with the reader. I can't express how greatly I loved the delicacy and imagination of this piece.
To top it all off, you've an excellent picture to set the mood.
Amazing work!

- William Liston

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, William. The internal rhyme of the third and seventh lines was completely by accident. The beginning of the poem seemed so perfect to me, and I did not want to change that. However, when I got to the third line, I had difficulty with keeping the wording natural without the rhyme seeming forced. So, my brain decided, what the heck, create an internal rhyme. This happy little accident, I think, really makes the poem sing. It gives it that little something extra that the poem needed. Overall, I was happy with this poem when finished. With I did quite a bit of rewriting along the way, I am pleased with the outcome. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

sounds like a happier Plath with the mirror thing...but leans more in an Emily D. direction...love the in-line-rhyme...
the past unfolding like origami...that is beautiful imagery...
life unfolds, and it passes....we unfold with it...and hopefully treasure each moment of it.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

As always, Jacob, thank you. You are like the Simon Cowell of reviews, and I look forward to your honest feedback.

[Tom]

Just as our past defines us our future lies before us like a field of driven snow,
be careful where you put your feet
as every step will show!

An uplifting read, penned with a fortifying spirit!

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Tom. I love the clever review. Very cute.

[Lydia Shutter]

A litany of a life well spent. The good times and the bad. Those who loved us and those who did us wrong. They all changed us...formed the people we are today. A gentle walk through your life...a tapestry of the highest quality. The rhyming, the alliteration, the emotion....so very lovely. Brava! Lydi**

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Lydia. While time can't heal all relationships, I think it is a salve for all wounds. Time lends a clarity otherwise not gained, and I find a certain amount of beauty in all things, good and bad. Everything and everyone that we have ever known becomes a part of the fiber of our being, and we wouldn't be who we are without them. Thank you for reading and reviewing. I appreciate the feedback.

[emmajoy]

'The past unfolds like origami, ~ like old love letters in roses bloom. ~ In black velvet deep, secrets to keep ~ tangle in tendrils, in skin, in room.'

Reached the end, gasped, sighed.. my eyes are wet.. Linda, this is reality in true poetry. How you've managed to tell such a tale so gently yet vividly (make sense of that) and in fine meter - is extraordinary. Each person and experience, good, bad, from birth to present tip-toed into your heart, your psyche and, made you the very human being you are. That final stanza displays such beautiful softness, tis tribute to who you are set by your own contentment and your darling dear. Thank you for sharing that wine.. ' a patchwork quilt unravelling fast'.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Dear Emma, I could scarce read your review without tearing up. You are so sweet and so dear. Your sincerity really touches my heart. Thank you for reading and taking time out of your busy day to let me know your thoughts. They mean the world to me.

[emmajoy]

Hand on heart, i meant every word. No more tears, agreed? Just say, 'Yes, Em'..