I screamed to feel it touch the sky.
I screamed, and—lo!—Infinity—
Came down and settled over me
Edna St Vincent Millay
for Shay
Farewell, I said, to the fallen tree,
I said to the sky, Don’t cry –
We’d been together for many a year,
Tall tree, blue sky and me –
Good fortune brought us together,
Scribbling poems of leaf and wing –
Let’s sing today our final song,
Farewell dear, for the long forever –
Day 22 ~ FORTUNE
Shay is singing her swansong in The Imaginary Garden Today. There is NO Substitute!
Now that’s a word you don’t come across every day: valediction! I love that you dedicated your poem to Shay, Kerry – I didn’t realise this was her last prompt (hopefully not for ever). beautiful lines for a special soul:
ReplyDelete‘We’d been together for many a year,
Tall tree, blue sky and me’
and
‘Scribbling poems of leaf and wing’.
Shay is one of the founder members of Real Toads, and has given us almost a decade of her wisdom and inspiration, but the time comes for a parting of ways.. I could not let her go without a few lines.
DeleteMy gosh, Kerry, where to start? First--and as usual, I adore the quote you have chosen. Millay is a huge favorite of mine as you might imagine.
ReplyDeleteAs a tree lover, the poem moved me on a literal level. It breaks my heart to see a familiar one fall. I loved the line about poems of leaf and wing. On a personal level, well, I did not expect this, and if you wouldn't mind, would you please pass the tissues? Having the respect and affection of one's peers is immeasurable, and means the world to me. You invited me into the Garden when I was just a solo ham and egger, and over the years there have been SO many poems I would never have written at all, without the energy and imagination of you and the other Toads. Moreover, the chance to read everything you have written over the past almost ten years has been a true treat, one that I am glad will not be ending. As long as you're posting, I will be reading, and I will still be around the Pond as a guest. Thank you so much for your kindness and talent, friend. I will stop now lest I ramble and have to be led away by the staff. xoxo
I understand that there is too much to say, and I have said too little - but that is my way with farewells. I very much fear the golden age of our little world has past, and more of us will leave the stage in the future but it has been a life-changing time - no one has shown me the future of poetry as well as you, dear friend.
DeleteI agree, Kerry, the golden age has passed, yet we totter on, somehow. I ADORE this poem. Mine turned into an acknowledgment of Shay, too, who has given us so much. Thankfully, she will still be around. Your poem is a beauty, full of leaf and wing and sky. And sighs.
DeleteA lovely poem Kerry. That is what true friendship is about- learning from each other. I hope you will give Shay more substitutions in the future. She keeps us from taking ourselves too seriously.
ReplyDeleteThat is for true!
DeleteI don't believe it for a second. I expect Coal B. to step in and take her place.
ReplyDeleteIt will be a funny old place without her.
Delete;-)
I really love the poem... and the dedication made it even stronger.
ReplyDeleteSomething in the poem made me think of Emily Dickinson
My intention was to use the kind of rhyme and form of Edna St V. M. but there is a similarity to Dickinson in that.
DeleteOk...you and Shay have me tearing up. A wonderful quote and a wonderful tribute to one of my favorite poets on any site I have come across. I know we will still see Shay around, and this wonderful piece of writing should ensure that happens. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteYou old softy!
DeleteI'm tuff as nails...a babies finger nails maybe.
DeleteThis is beautiful. Oh, tears, I can't imagine the garden without Fireblossom.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful poem! I am thankful to have stumbled across the imaginary garden myself, eventually, and found both of you extraordinary poets here ... as well as a number of other shining talents.
ReplyDeleteI feel like we have all been here at the right time of our lives, but always at liberty to come and go.
Deletethought i had commented, but i guess not.
ReplyDeletewe will all wait in the long forever ~
Amen, brother.
DeleteJust a beautiful poem, thanks! k.
ReplyDelete