The Last Afternoon
It was a day where
even
the rain holds a grudge.
I'm too dry for rain
to do much good; too old
for paper castles
to wall out
the night coming,
the grey wolf walking.
Only love can do that,
on the last afternoon
when I'll
hold her head
heavy with wolf-dreams
heavy with wolf-dreams
on my knees.
February 2020
a 55 for
(and a reminder that the Friday 55 will be next week)
Image: photo-manipulation © Sarolta Ban Fair Use
Beautifully done. It's great to be back here again.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anthony. Good to see and read you, too.
DeleteYou had me at the first line Joy! I love the imagery in this. Simply beautiful writing! I love the idea of "wolf-dreams on my knees"!
ReplyDeleteThank you Carrie. I am enjoying the Sunday Muse, and appreciate your work there.
DeleteBeautifully written, Hedge, it made enjoyable reading. I appreciate the Flash Poem format, it worked out goad.
ReplyDelete..
Oh that closing makes my heart ache.......her head, heavy with wolf-dreams. So beautiful it hurts.
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Sherry. Your own poem made me cry for what is gone.
DeleteSherry says it perfectly ... so beautiful it hurts, and makes for misty eyes.
ReplyDeleteThank you Helen. I always love to see you hear--you have been following my poetry since the very beginning and I appreciate it.
DeleteLove the grudge-holding rain and the head heavy with wolf-dreams. Great word pictures!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, I adore that ending. And as you know, I can relate. There is a such a gentleness here, a having come to terms with things, that is sad but also satisfying and in its way, peaceful. I'm so glad I have your poetry to experience again, Joy.
ReplyDeleteAnd vice versa, dear friend. thank you.
DeleteThere is peace at knowing where we are and who we are in life. I'm not sure I will enter the wolf dream in silence. Cat will have to get my tongue first. :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes silence can speak, too, Susie. I absolutely loved your poem for this one.
DeleteFantastic opening lines -- "It was a day where even / the rain holds a grudge." Brings us right into the poem, we're with you for the ride. "heavy with wolf-dreams / on my knees." is terrific.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much. Yours was excellent!
DeleteThis brought me over the edge of tears. That line about "holding her head/heavy with wolf-dreams" just sliced right through bone.
ReplyDeleteThank you,both for the comment and for the pleasure of finding your writing.
Deleteadd my voice to the choir, on that last stanza ~
ReplyDeleteOh, Oh! The times I've had to say goodbye to my small friends are emblazoned in my heart. Love does that. Love. On any last afternoon.
ReplyDeleteM. Thanks for reading. When Friday rolls around I seem to hear the 55 knocking at the muse's door these days. Always think of you, and Galen.
ReplyDeleteI always imagine wolf dreams to be wild and free.
ReplyDeleteI love that final image of a big, sweet, old sleepy wolf face in your lap.
ReplyDelete