Last week
wisteria in waves
was flowing
from an overhang—
its scent intensely sweet.
Today
a fainter fragrance
with the flowers
that remain
dried up and hard to see.
Last week
I gladly sought the sun—
today I sought the shade.
And were those roses
so prolific now
on show at all last week?
So much of life—
ephemeral.
And so in more
than forty years
we've shared
the greater part
is like a sea
beneath the memories
more prominent.
And those
like islands in a chain
I fondly visit
one by one—
the sum both
a vacation tour
and private history.
The roses of yesterday are not there today! Life is so ephemeral! The comparison between the flowers and life is so apt here! The memories of the happy days of staying together are what give us happiness. Those memories are like the links in a long chain. A lovely write!
thank you, valsa, for following up on this. as i mentioned, your new poem with its reference to lifes ups and downs, good and bad experiences, reminded me of this one. one of the most treasured things for me in our marriage are the shared memories. be blessed! -glen
Hi Glen, How things change from an intense fragrance to a lighter fragrance, and sometimes no fragrance at all! Time flows - its sunny and then shady! And those like islands in a chain I fondly visit one by one— the sum both a vacation tour and private history. A lovely poem of flowing imagery!
thank you, geeta! and how lovely that creation offers so much to inspire, to counter the evil, the injustice, in world- to keep us in balance. -g
And those like islands in a chain I fondly visit one by one— - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Yes. You caught the ephemeral quality of both spring flowers and life in general. Well done.
thanks, susan! how's spring where you are? from the warm day described in the poem, we went to rain and chilly weather to a night down to 34 degrees is expected saturday. which is why we never put frost-sensitive plants i the ground till mid may. be well! -glen
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
It’s beautiful, Glen. Both the word pictures and the connection with your relationship with your wife. I see “ephemeral” is there too.
thanks, laurie. and yes, i thought of this one first, after reading your poem, because it shared that word. oh, by the way, thank you for teaching me that new one—fugacious. -glen