deepundergroundpoetry.com
Petrichlor
the days are suddenly
warmer now;
rain soaks the fields
of life germinating in rows ~
it smells of every summer I spent
in backwoods Georgia,
tending my grandmother’s
butter beans and sweet peas,
gaining self-sufficiency
and old southern wisdom
under the guise of hard work
and soft lessons;
I suspect she knew all along
there was pride in every blister
earned at her side
she is gone away
from these moments now,
but the ache she left
never seems to follow suit;
she’d know just what to do
to collect my scattered mind;
with grace for my shortcomings
and confidence in her purpose,
she’d busy her hands in service
~ as was always her way
gathering the cups and plates
left by my overindulgent escapes,
she’d fold and put away the blankets
I’ve been hiding under,
cocooned with my vulnerabilities;
strong arms would spring open
curtains shut against the light
in fearful denial, flooding
the dark corners of my truth
with her warmth and balance;
she’d tell me the rain
has come to wash away the past
so that I can begin again,
as my whole self ~
and I would believe her
warmer now;
rain soaks the fields
of life germinating in rows ~
it smells of every summer I spent
in backwoods Georgia,
tending my grandmother’s
butter beans and sweet peas,
gaining self-sufficiency
and old southern wisdom
under the guise of hard work
and soft lessons;
I suspect she knew all along
there was pride in every blister
earned at her side
she is gone away
from these moments now,
but the ache she left
never seems to follow suit;
she’d know just what to do
to collect my scattered mind;
with grace for my shortcomings
and confidence in her purpose,
she’d busy her hands in service
~ as was always her way
gathering the cups and plates
left by my overindulgent escapes,
she’d fold and put away the blankets
I’ve been hiding under,
cocooned with my vulnerabilities;
strong arms would spring open
curtains shut against the light
in fearful denial, flooding
the dark corners of my truth
with her warmth and balance;
she’d tell me the rain
has come to wash away the past
so that I can begin again,
as my whole self ~
and I would believe her
Published 9th Apr 2021
Author's Note
NaPo 2021 9/30 132 unique words
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 12
reading list entries 6
comments 14
reads 136
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
9th Apr 2021 4:58pm
9th Apr 2021 5:03pm
I am almost moved to tears, Luna. I covet that type of relationship, deeply. You were / are very lucky in such wonderful, impactful and loving memories. You are magical in your writing talent, my dear. I cannot put it properly into words.... I don't think... the best I can muster; your ability to find all my deepest emotional pressure points is unlike almost all other writers
Your writes hit me, THERE... in those pressure points of all my own, raw, open awareness.
I marvel....
...
I adore this poem to pieces. In all it's vulnerable, loving, openness.
Great great work, my friend.
Thank so much for sharing 💜
🌹
xo
-B
Your writes hit me, THERE... in those pressure points of all my own, raw, open awareness.
I marvel....
...
I adore this poem to pieces. In all it's vulnerable, loving, openness.
Great great work, my friend.
Thank so much for sharing 💜
🌹
xo
-B
11th Apr 2021 4:13am
Thank you so very much for the time and effort you always put in to coming by and supporting my words. It is so very appreciated, and always makes my day 💜
Anonymous
9th Apr 2021 6:50pm
There’s something so endearing about this style of writing.
I really love poems that allow us to invest emotionally along with the writer. They feel pure and magical in their own special way, even if dealing with harder subjects such as loss of a loved one.
Most of all I loved that it left us with a sense of hope that there is love in the world, and that’s the message I’m happy to take from this today.
A gorgeous piece of story telling here. Thank you for sharing.
-M
I really love poems that allow us to invest emotionally along with the writer. They feel pure and magical in their own special way, even if dealing with harder subjects such as loss of a loved one.
Most of all I loved that it left us with a sense of hope that there is love in the world, and that’s the message I’m happy to take from this today.
A gorgeous piece of story telling here. Thank you for sharing.
-M
11th Apr 2021 4:16am
Thank you so much, Missy. No matter how dark my subject feels, I’ve never been able to let go of the lesson I’ve learned, nor the hope that remains. I’m incurably optimistic that way. I appreciate you stopping by for a read and always for your insight!
10th Apr 2021 00:32am
You have a very uncanny ability to draw the reader into your emotional circle. There is always a light twinkling in there somewhere, even if the subject is heavy. You seem to glide just an inch or off the ground at all times. It's rather breathtaking sometimes. Beautiful piece.
11th Apr 2021 4:17am
10th Apr 2021 5:44am
Dear L,
Your finely tuned attention to detail is phenomenal. It’s those very details that immediately create your surroundings and the people you write about so real and participatory to me. Almost as if I could smell the rain and feel the dirt on my hands from picking the sweet peas and butter beans, which I totally want now. Having a sit down with the fam. Lovely nostalgic poem with a tenderness that warms the soul. H🌷
Your finely tuned attention to detail is phenomenal. It’s those very details that immediately create your surroundings and the people you write about so real and participatory to me. Almost as if I could smell the rain and feel the dirt on my hands from picking the sweet peas and butter beans, which I totally want now. Having a sit down with the fam. Lovely nostalgic poem with a tenderness that warms the soul. H🌷
11th Apr 2021 4:17am
Anonymous
- Edited 18th Nov 2021 8:45pm
10th Apr 2021 10:05am
<< post removed >>
11th Apr 2021 4:18am
I think you’re really onto something there, Rian. Thank you so much for reading and for your kindness!
20th Apr 2021 3:29am
cocooned with my vulnerabilities
The gems we carry in quiet breath, a world of contemplation
The gems we carry in quiet breath, a world of contemplation
19th May 2021 4:26am
Wonderful memories that tug at the heart.
Beautiful entry for NaPoWriMo Luna, thank you for sharing.
Beautiful entry for NaPoWriMo Luna, thank you for sharing.
