When I was young, I asked,
Why are my arms made of blackberry vines?
And why do I
Most love to sit
In the far garden filled
With strawberries and mint?
And why do I have
Cat-tail colored hair?
Why is the thunderhead
A black mother bear?
Why is my skin filled with restless blue lightning
And the pull of the moon?
You dreamed it, child--
Is all that I
Was told, and it's
A sin to lie
A sin to lie.
When I was young, I ran
Away through the wheat under bright summer sun
Until I was alone
Save for sparrow and crow
With south wind for sign post
And further to go
I sang to the quicksilver
Dead in the earth
Who lay with the bear's teeth,
The strawberry red,
And the sweet things that were
You dreamed it, child--
Was all I was told, but the
Far garden called and we
Grew up wild
Grew up wild.
___________
visit One Shot Wednesday #26
Reading your words is always an exciting adventure.........
ReplyDeleteStrawberries and mint and wildness...wandering can be helpful!
ReplyDeleteBut they failed to mention that some dreams are true :-)
ReplyDeleteI think this may be one of my favorites of yours. "why is my skin filled with restless blue lightning and the pull ofthe moon"......."alone save for sparrow and crow"......"with south wind for sign post and further to go". Wild and beautiful and with girlhood's innocence. Your poems likely were best nurtured in that far garden.
ReplyDeletewild we grew....
ReplyDeletesave our little hearts :)
may we all get to remember, AND LIVE, our dreams...
ReplyDeleteLovely and ethereal.
ReplyDeleteSherry has already pulled most of the plums from the pudding, but I have to point out 'why are my arms made of blackberry vines' as topping the list--it's not an easy thing to have arms like that--few people can savor the fruit through the bramble embrace. I very much love this poem, and it's going to come live with me--hope you don't mind.
ReplyDeleteI have read this 3X and still find things to go 'ah' about
ReplyDeleteThat was fabulous Shay, really fabulous! Thanks,
ReplyDeleteCheers, jj
Yes-growing wild... another lie
ReplyDeleteHugs Shay
and loving the wildness of the vines, the wind, dreaming
ReplyDeletealways the words that say Shay was here
Moonie smiles
may all of us big girls be blessed with the memories of being little girls with wild, wise, wide open imaginations and dreams!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful writing, lyrical and highly symbolic. Reminds me of the mixed messages children try to process... perhaps to a young kid (s)he might conclude the products of their imagination to be a lie——along with many other things they are told.
ReplyDeleteI really like the way this has been written, so carefree and flowing. Interesting concept =)
ReplyDeleteThis one just really speaks to my heart. Lovely, Shay.
ReplyDeleteYou're a wild one, Chica, and I love the way you make the wild ones feel at home.
ReplyDeleteThe nuances of childhood innocense are spectacular, I want to run like the wind and catch a pocketful of stars....
ReplyDeleteLiked not only the way your metaphors fit like jigsaw pieces but the depth of the allusions as you built image on image. Your writing is always brilliant, and though this is not my all time favorite of yours, it probably comes in second!
ReplyDeleteYour colorful symbolism is so vivid Shaysie.
ReplyDeleteWhat a creative mind!
Loved it....G
I just love this poem. I love that she grows up wild! How nice and free.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
LOVE.
ReplyDeleteYou've still got an imagination like a child's .. mixed with an amazingly strong woman's voice !
you keep coming at that bull's eye nerve in my heart and causing an explosion in my head. Fabulous, freeing and intensely imaginative writing that you do-- strong poem throughout! xxxxj ps sorry there were tears but thanks for being there to read those long in coming words. love, Jenne'
ReplyDeleteshay i read it three times and just love it - love the imagery - the pictures you create in my head of a wild, carefree and colorful childhood my fav was the skin filled with restless blue lightning - that's how it was and sometimes still is..luckily..
ReplyDeleteI've always loved words. Your poetry has made me fall in love with both poetry and words all over again. I have become gluttonous. I'll be back.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
still growing wild...still growing wild....
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this Shay....i see it as an absolute truth in your life....the growing of a wild heart....a wild and amazing poet's heart! :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, Shay, the answer is so obvious. You were born with a creative soul. No question.
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed, such a nice collection of lovely words, and ," bears, and red, and all you had to say." I loved your piece, and will save it to read another day.
ReplyDeleteWhimsical, child-true, great flow & line breaks.
ReplyDelete"Why do I have a rebel spirit?"
ReplyDeletejust part of life
sounds like you enjoy the wild side!!!
I love your name had to visit when I saw it on One Shot
I loved this. I can feel the childhood here.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love these:
ReplyDelete"my arms made of blackberry vines"
"filled With strawberries and mint"
"skin filled with restless blue lightning"
rosemarymint.wordpress.com
Grew up wild, with a seeking heart. I love the rhythm of this poem. It feels as spacious as the sky.
ReplyDeleteWhat a feast reading these poems has been. Thank you for every wonderful word.
I have to admit I have tears in my eyes..reading all your beautiful poems and ending here - this says everything about who you are. Amazing.
ReplyDelete