She came to me from the eastern hill
golden feather in her hair
to meet under the black cherry tree
branches reaching to the night sky.
She stayed with me through the night
near the fire we built
glowing ash floating to mix with stars
night shadows just beyond the firelight.
Then she smiled
that tilted smile
and I knew - oh, I knew
the ancient ones had given me a chance
maybe one last chance at the redemptive power
from the forgiving heart.
As daylight broke over the hill
she turned to greet the sun
and smiled again as colors gained
in the fields of red clover.
As she gave a last smile and goodbye
she stepped back to the mists
the golden feather fell to the ground
underneath the black cherry tree.
 | |
| Found under a black cherry tree |
Posted at Poets and Storytellers United: Writers' Pantry #31: Here comes August!
Such a wonderful memento to find tucked under your trees. Summer is a joyful season as it gives us the opportunity to enjoy simple things in life. Beautiful piece!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Khaya. I'm glad you liked it. Sometimes a discovery finds us when we least expect it.
DeleteA dreamy, hopeful poem.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chrissa. I'm glad you liked it.
DeleteSuch beautiful imagery in this one, Joel! I especially love; "glowing ash floating to mix with stars night shadows."💝
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sanaa. I'm glad you liked this one. These dreams are kind of all over the place.
Deletesecond chances are bliss. and the person who gifted it to you is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteShe appreciates the thought! Thank you
DeleteI always love when a small details births and whole world. Also, that's a stunning feather!
ReplyDeleteIf I pay attention there is something interesting on each workday. I don't have to too look for it, I just have to see.
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Magaly.
You have the soul of a poet, Joel. Others might tread unknowingly over the dropped feather, but you gave it life and a dream. Bravo! (And I've never heard of a black cherry tree. Would that be the ones that produce bing cherries?)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beverly but you are way too kind. These discoveries are there if I take the time to see them.
DeleteBlack cherry trees are native to Iowa and are prized more for the wood than the tiny pea-sized fruit. I have a china hutch that my father built and I have some cherry lumber ready for me to create something.
Ah, how wonderful to have been touched my such a magical being, and to be left the feather as a token and reminder. You do realise you'll never be quite the same again?
ReplyDeleteIt is my hope that I have a discovery on each workday. It may be a new bird call, an owl hooting near the creek, a flower, a delicate spider web... the list can go on. I just want to have something new each time.
DeleteDon't tell anyone, but yes, I have changed since I met her.
Thank you for sharing, Rosemary
This is so beautiful...but why didn't you run after her?
ReplyDeleteYou know, even in my dreams I can be kind of dumb. That's okay, because I woke up with her by my side.
DeleteThanks, Robin. I'm glad you liked this and your comment made me laugh because it's true.
Your poem would make a great song, Joel. I love the ‘glowing ash floating to mix with stars / night shadows just beyond the firelight’ and the ‘tilted smile’, and what a memento to find underneath the black cherry tree!
ReplyDeleteIf I got the chords right, maybe. Thanks for the thought, Kim. I'm glad you liked this.
DeleteA wonderful dream and a beautiful feather.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ayala. I'm glad you liked this. I need to find what bird it belongs to and maybe return it.
DeleteRedemption is an old, old story. With your dream, you have made it vivid and fresh.
ReplyDeleteSomething I don't deserve. Thank you for your kind thoughts, Teacher.
Delete