Thursday, September 21, 2023

Taken

 

collage by Margaret Bednar

Taken

As the sun slid
behind lucent clouds
she descended 
from Heaven

Flocks unfazed
shepherd boy asleep

Taken from me
on a similar
Autumn day

"Have you saved
a place for me?"

but her smile
seemed taken too

Did she remember
walks in the field
planting wildflower seeds
faces dirt-smudged
beneath wide-brimmed hats?

Far afield she gazed
before turning

"You've time
to grow
into robe and crown
Stay curious
You've time to breathe."

My eyes lowered
held the tears close;
...found her gone

Raised my hand
loosed yesterday's flowers
to plant themselves

Offered my spirit
No longer afraid
Understood the comfort
of ending up Home.

"You took my Mama.
One day you'll take me.
But first, I must live."

by Margaret Bednar, September 21, 2023

This is linked with the fabulous "What's Going On? Take this Poem

This is also part of my Emily Dickinson reflections series.  I read and reflected on her "IV Time and Eternity II" .  Her poem can be found "HERE".

6 comments:

Susan said...

Wow! Right there, in the middle, the catch in the voice, the memory/vision of her saying "you've time enough." And the ending echoes that it's time to live.
"but her smile
seemed taken too

Did she remember
walks in the field . . . "
Very moving.

Sumana Roy said...

"Offered my spirit
No longer afraid
Understood the comfort
of ending up Home."...I feel a beautiful contentment here. A very moving piece.

Eileen T O'Neill ..... said...

A very emotional poem dealing with the pain of loss..yet, also acknowledging the need to allow oneself to live and enjoy life.
It reminds me very much of my feelings after the loss of my dear mother...reaching a point of positivity, whilst remembering her....

Mary said...

Such a poignant and meaningful poem of loss, Margaret.
"You took my Mama.
One day you'll take me.
But first, I must live."
These last lines speak to me.
While we have time here, we MUST live!

Sherry Blue Sky said...

I was moved by all the lines quoted, especially the closing lines. So beautiful, Margaret.

Priscilla King said...

What we all need to say, in those fifteen neat syllables at the end.