Gathering Green

The pine stays green in winter … wisdom in hardship.”

She gathers green in the hem of her dress,

remembering blue skies with hints of rain,

roses contained within a Bible press

whose lifeless petals are all that remain.

So many dreams that she birthed and she lost,

so many ashes that fall from her lips -

the bridges she burned, the people she crossed,

the ill-fated voyage of a thousand ships.

 

She wrestles with hope in gardens of green

among the white pines and cushiony moss.

She walks with the night, unheard and unseen,

treading headwinds of incredible loss.

Sad words spun into a sweater of fog

clings to her shoulders like a mourning dove.

Needles of faith, shattered heart, broken cog -

her heart is a graveyard of grief and love.

 

Evenfall whispers like breath against skin.

She is unraveled by its haunting touch

and hugs herself, the little girl within.

Who knew the past could disturb her this much?

The moon surrenders its luminous light

to a bank of clouds that stems from the coast,

her silhouette bathed in shadows of night,

gathering green like an emerald ghost.

Author's Note

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This was really very beautiful. The first part of the poem reminded me of rose petals I kept in my own Bible for a long time. The rose came from my mother's funeral and burial and a few of my siblings cast their roses into the grave with mother's remains when they buried her. But I kept mine because to me, it was an end of nothing. I love my mother and I shall always love her, beyond death and beyond time. My youngest daughter was born over four years after my mother passed away and she (being curious as most children are) absently destroyed most of the dried petals. I wasn't angry or hurt. It was only a dried flower. The real rose resides in my heart and in the memory of my mother. I enjoyed the way you encapsulated the color green in this write. Green is often a reminder of life to me; the trees, the grass, even the young apples on the tree and new grapes upon the vine. I fully understand the concepts of "grief and love" and the fact that they may coexist together. I enjoyed the read. Thank you for sharing your considerable talents with this reader. Bless, F.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you so much, Fabrian. You unfolded your life as petals for me, and I appreciate that. I am beyond pleased that this poem touched you. Thank you.

[Alla Antsis]

so many ashes that fall from her lips -how familiar! Love your work, Linda Marie!

[Carola]

a well-penned poem, sad but a powerful read. i liked it very much. i love the colour green, it reminds me of nature.
cheerio carola

[emmajoygreen]

Green has so many meaning, some via Nature, some by Man. However and whatever, your poem is utterly re-readable, beautifully and academically so. Known you a few years, have never failed to find a silky smooth edge along the way. Thank you so very muich for sharing. Now to listen. :)

[Lorry]

A colour usually attributed to envy, does convey regret of all the ifs and maybes, but it is natures erm "evergreen" for a reason too. The hope that we shall live well enough to grow wiser and hope that we are round long enough to notice that the picture may change, but the story makes more sense the more we watch it.
Now thanks to your ending I want to be an emerald ghost too, someday. 😊

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Very perceptive review, Lorry. Thank you so much.

[Tom]

Metaphor marvellous, monumental musings, pensive penning, perfect in rhyme, rhythm and verse, I'm 'green' with envy I could not put together such impressive, yearning poem!

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you so much, Tom. You lift me up.

[Kelly Scheppers]

The articulation you express within your verse always ignites my poetic soul in one way or another. Beautiful presentation, Linda. No surprise there. It is your signature trait I've come to know.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Kelly. You fill my heart with joy!

[Chris Shaw]

A haunting poem to read Linda. I felt real remorse in these lines. Beautifully conveyed. Your stanzas flow like a stream, so smoothly and the imagery is plain gorgeous. Fabulous poetry. So much talent in your work.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Chris. :) I always appreciate your visits.

[MomzillaNC]

She gathers green in the hem of her dress,
remembering blue skies with hints of rain,
She wrestles with hope in gardens of green
She walks with the night, unheard and unseen,
treading headwinds of incredible loss.
her heart is a graveyard of grief and love.
gathering green like an emerald ghost.

Superlative lines. Your imagery througout is stunning.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you. :)

[MomzillaNC]

yvw 😎

[willweb]

The poem and the music are both haunting in their own respect and fit together so well if I have read the poem correctly. There is a feeling of loneliness and a bit of sorrow floating through these verses which attracted me instantly because my favorite color is green. But, the green in this seems a shade darker than I am used to. However, all shades of green are good in my book and this poem is right there at the top. I just really like the flow of your lines, they seem to melt together and to read this was effortless...after a few lines I didn;t even know I was reading. Really nice Linda Marie.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you. :)