Glistening Palms Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

The night was ominously dim,
When I ran from my past.
A small hotel by ocean’s rim,
Road’s end, escape at last.

A torrid downpour soon assailed,
Hard pounding windowpanes.
I watched while helpless palm trees flailed
By sandy seaside lanes.

Their arms like twisted, magic wands,
In tropic rain did trip.
Storm twisted, lashed dark, graceful fronds,
Firm ground they barely gripped.

The summer promised much more rain,
A somber premonition,
Youth’s unrelenting growing pain,
Not heeding intuition.

How greedily I breathed that hot,
Soul draining humid air.
While hopes, like scrub oaks, turned to rot,
Slim palms were always there.

This soil brought love and children too,
We weathered storms and calms.
In humble cottages they grew,
But always there were palms.

The years and seasons quickly flew.
In sun and rain life glistened,
While stately palms our faith renewed,
If we would only listen.

The day has come when many say,
‘Let’s leave here, it is time
For greener pastures far away.
Why languish in this clime? ’

My eyes then fill with hazy dreams.
Palm branches gently wave.
Their silky arms implore, it seems,
‘Stay here, your love we crave.’

I never noticed until now,
Those branches are like gold.
Amid the green, resilient boughs
Lights glower in their folds.

How could I leave a land that’s held
My fragile life so long,
Embracing with exotic warmth,
While palm fronds played their song?

Sunset of age brings gentle ease.
I don’t regret the past.
Lithe fingers of those faithful trees
Will cover me at last.