I’d forget about spring.if it were not for the magnolia waking outside my study window. This spring watches the US President demolish our democracy, his one man’s revenge in action, as he ignores the courts, strips Congress of its power, and dismantles protections for citizens and for our environment. He’s destroying alliances with neighbors north and south and with NATO, abandoning the free world to befriend
dictators. But the magnolia tree exists, and its buds are already two
inches long. Its backdrop is sky so blue and shiny that it invites
birds to nest, and asks sleeping animals and insects and seeds to wake
up. I’d like to wake, too, as day equals night and the spellof darkness lifts.
I planted love in my heart and it’sready to burst into bud and color. It’s ready to shake off idleness and stand up withother citizens to do what it takes toreach the equality and diversityour country once promised.
For my prompt "March Equinox: Signs of Spring or Fall" at What's Going On?
For my prompt "March Equinox: Signs of Spring or Fall" at What's Going On?
Nature does provide some relief from the headlines - though with the horrible heatwave we're having already (April and May are our summer months) I fear climate too (along with everything else) is spinning out of control. Love how you wrote this as a shape poem.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a colorful magnolia before. We have a white one in our Sarada Mission in Balurghat. Spring indeed is the time for awakening. To plant love in heart is all mother nature wants from us too, I feel. Beautiful, Susan.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for the magnolia for inspiration! I think it is a bit too early for them here, but then again I have to travel to a nearby park to see them (which I haven't done, but should). Your first stanza expresses my fears and worries as well. But perhaps we do have to find inspiration where we can...in the magnolia tree which exists and resists. As caring humans in this country, we do need to find a way to shake off idleness and DO something. When, if not now?
ReplyDeleteI remember the photo last year of that tree in full bloom, filling your entire window. How glorious. Something to lift the heart in this crazy time we are living. I love "I planted love in my heart and it's ready to burst into bud and color." When the blooms fill your window, do post another photo. I once had a magnolia in one of my yards.
ReplyDeleteYou have found the hope in that magnolia tree - and have shared it so generously with us - Jae
ReplyDeleteYour poem has a lovely shape, Susan. I always wanted a magnolia tree, maybe one day, although everyone tells me the blossoms don’t last long. I try so hard to ignore news about the orange one, but he is hard to ignore. I distract myself with what’s happening in our garden.
ReplyDeleteYou make me long to see magnolias, Susan! The concrete shape of your poem lends to both the sharp as well as growing aspect in this piece!
ReplyDeleteAnd you will stand ! And you will triumph! Terrible terrible situation but we must believe that good will triumph over evil. Tough times ahead but you have the poets backing you, Poetry, music, shakespeare, cats,spring blossoms...all effective weapons in the armory. Sending love and support from around the world.
ReplyDeleteand there is hope in the magnolia tree.....I love "I planted love in my heart and it’s
ReplyDeleteready to burst into bud and color"
I love the call to action that sounds through this poem, Mary, the awakening of nature mirroring our awakening to "stand up" united. The imagery of the magnolia buds holds such promise for the future, as indeed we must carry in us.
ReplyDelete