Tumblewords

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Saturday, February 02, 2008

Doubts


A curious toddler
guides us to a weedy stem
he wants me to pull
from the fall-dry soil.

I point out its brown pips
that spring will warm
to wrap this barren stick
in purple blooms.

He reads my face
in disbelief, then shrugs
before he moves on
toward the next question.

After he goes home
I return to that brittle stalk
shake my head in wonder.
There's no way

that unbending twig can
produce lavender next year,
no way...
Spring shines on tiny buds.


Digital Photo by Sue

Writers Island prompts with Magic

31 comments:

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Yeah, that is magic, isn't it? I'm struck by how many Islanders are writing about the magic of nature this week.

Me, I went for an older one.

Lucy said...

flowers blooming... truly magic, very lovely poem.

Anonymous said...

The thought of spring is magical!

Pri said...

lovely is the magic of spring which brings life to nature all around...

well written...
beautiful indeed! :)

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

Well said. Spring is always magic, unless you're TS Eliot and think April is the cruellest month!

:D Tomorrow another blizzard is spozed to hit us. Thanks for coming by my place, and for the reminder that spring is just around the corner.

Beau Brackish said...

Beautiful, hopeful words. There is magic in both Mother Nature and your brilliant poetry.

Marja said...

Magical words about the magic off mother nature.

SandyCarlson said...

Hmmm....miracles....I wonder what that child knows in his heart!

Giggles said...

I have goosebumps! So much depth in this poem. Really sweet, nature enmeshed with innocence. So precious. Sometime miracles just can't be explained!

Hugs Sherrie

Robin said...

That sense of disbelief is not for toddlers alone. The first winter we had it, we nearly threw out our pomegranate tree thinking we'd somehow killed it. Who knew that pomegranate trees hibernate in the winter...

Nature truly is a magical thing.

Anonymous said...

Yes, nature is magical as is the wonder of a child. Your take was interesting and unusual in that you showed the child's disbelief and transferred the wonder to yourself.

anthonynorth said...

Nature and magic are so often seen as one and the same. An excellent interpretation of the link.

Anonymous said...

I sometimes wonder, if we become less intelligent as we get older from closing our minds off.

Of course, we do get more intelligent at the same time-- I think we lose some and gain it in other places.

Who knows what I think?

Oh well.

I liked the ending.

Constance Brewer said...

You have a wonderful way of building a picture with just a few words. Very nice!

Clare said...

Wonderful poem! I love the presence of the little toddler with his curiosity and questions. So sweet. And it is very magical about the lavender being able to produce flowers and fragrance from dried stalks each spring. I can smell it now! Well done!
:)

chicklegirl said...

I loved this! Children's inquisitiveness--and wonder at the explanations they receive--makes me remember how I used to see things, see them all over again in a magical light.

Anonymous said...

Impressive!

Anonymous said...

The magic and wonder of nature never cease to amaze. How beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Nothing like a child's pleasure!

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Crafty Green Poet said...

now that's my kind of magic

Rambler said...

Its surprising to see so many of us spotting the magic on nature..

paris parfait said...

Isn't it wonder to witness the questioning nature of children? And yes, there's so much "magic" in nature! Lovely poem.

rch said...

Yes a taste of spring is just what I needed, thanks for sharing this lovely poem.

Anonymous said...

It was in the 30's last week. Today the temperature is 60+ degrees. I saw daffodil stalks poking up through the dirt. Looking forward to blooms soon.
And it's only February 4th!
Now that's a miracle. (Actually, not so much. This is fairly common here in the South).
Thanks for stopping by with your nice comments.

Anonymous said...

A lovely poem, so hopeful.

little wing writer said...

nature's cycles are indeed magic just as children in their vision.. another beauty tw...and as always inspring...

Pat Paulk said...

It is amazing what Spring can bring to life. Great poem!!

paisley said...

i have the most amazing brown thumb ever... i can kill anything... i do so love the scent of lavender,, i hope yours comes back more beautiful and delicious than ever......

Word Catalyst Magazine said...

Thank you for this beautiful taste of spring magic. I love your work btw!

polona said...

this is a gem of a poem.
i'm glad i stopped by

Q said...

I think you are magical.
Not only do I "see" the scene but I can "smell" it. I am far from Spring!
Thank you.
Smelling lavender in February, with an ice storm raging, is magical!
Sherry