"Roots" by Frida Kahlo
Linking today with the Sunday Muse for Muse #171
Come join us!
Many things grow in the garden that were never sown there.
~English proverb
I planted you in my garden
Deeper than a sassafras tree
You grew wider than my mother’s hips
And taller than a stranger in the dark
Yet I grew weary watering your flowers
For a parched heart never knows how to give
So your leaves crumbled before me
And the crackling of my steps upon them
Served as a reminder of the loss
Growth requires giving
With no regard to what may come
And you cannot keep a living flower
If you insist on picking it from its roots.
That is the definite truth, Carrie, as you so often manage to see and express it.
ReplyDeleteBtw, thanks so much for your lovely comment at my place. I did feel like that one was kinda special when I was finished with it.
You are very welcome and I should just thank you for giving it to the world to read! Yes, it is a special one indeed. It is definitely one of my top favorites of yours!
DeleteSo many truths here --- about parched hearts and growth and what not to do with a living flower --- all wrapped in your beautiful poem! Bravo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Bev!
DeleteThis is so beautifully stated and so wise, Carrie. So many great lines. "a parched heart never knows how to give" and those two stellar closing lines.Your poems this year reach higher (and deeper) than ever. Bravo. A book?
ReplyDeleteAwww thank you Sherry. I actually have been starting to work on the idea of a book. I just have not gotten my ducks in a row to actually start. 🤓
DeleteThat is terrific. I love all the wonderful language all throughout! One of your best I think.
ReplyDeleteAwww thank you so much Qbit!!!
DeleteYes, yes … your poem is absolutely one of the finest you’ve gifted us!
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet Helen! Thank you!!
DeleteVisceral take on how difficult it is to keep some things in our lives.
ReplyDeleteThank you my friend.
DeleteYour poem is full of truth Carrie, especially the lines 'growth requires giving, with no regard to what may come.'
ReplyDeleteThank you Marion. I am so glad you joined us this week at the Muse!
DeleteMetaphor at its finest with fluid articulation of a floundering relationship. Sad when things get so out of balance and cultivation goes awry.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Lisa, and yes it is a sad thing when growth is stunted.
DeleteThe act of holding on meets the must of letting go is so poignantly written Carrie. Beautiful
ReplyDeleteThank you so much my friend!
Delete"And you cannot keep a living flower
ReplyDeleteIf you insist on picking it from its roots"
I love your closing lines, Carrie. I loved your prompt find also. Had you known Kahlo before looking for a picture prompt? Of course library workers are supposed to know about everything. Thank you for introducing her to me.
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I am glad you enjoyed it Jim! Yes, Frida is one of my favorites and I have a calendar in my office art room that is all Frida.
DeleteThis is so powerful Carrie! After reading this exquisite piece, and Shay’s, and several others, I feel embarrassed that all I was able to muster was shallow, weakly crafted, double entendre. My muse abandoned me this weekend. Sorry!
ReplyDeleteNo apologies necessary my friend! Your poem was wonderful and it is always a delight to have you join us at the Muse. I think we all have weeks where the image just does not stir the muse at all. You are not alone there. Have a great week Rob!
DeleteWow! Your ending is so powerful on this excellent poem.
ReplyDelete