red fields
into that velvet carpet of
crimson fields of tulips
pretend poppies slept, a sea of nodding heads,
dreaming gnarled roots to soft oblivion -as
pretend poppies slept, a sea of nodding heads,
dreaming gnarled roots to soft oblivion -as
we ran
two small children
hand in hand
we ran
from our apocalyptic home where
we stuffed our breath
in in-adudible rhythyms – hid all
frivolous thought below
solemn faces until tip-toed
sprung into the navied blue
pre-dawn
we ran
squeezing through the not quite
open gate
mindful
of squeaks-creaks –
we ran
barefoot in the chilled dew until
safely
far from the sleeping house of
strange-mooded giants
we tumbled a week’s worth of
laughter
pollinating the cradle of our
prescient protective poppies,
rolling, hand in hand, as first
fingers of light shimmered
writing for those with literary
inklings the epilogue of a future
not yet conceived –
this, the first of our thirteen
chapters
as we ran
home before they woke
as we ran
home before they woke
Children love games of pretense and the opening with the tulip/poppies along with the parent/giants set the scene. I too dream of those days so long gone and still add chapters to the fantasy.
ReplyDeleteThe first thirteen chapters inform a life...i am glad there was a hand to hold through the war...and beyond...also loved the alliteration and pace...like we were running with 'you'
ReplyDeleteloved it.the tempo and the motion of the lines takes the reader swiftly into the tulip fields.wonderfully done
ReplyDeleteA beautiful innocent childhood memory
ReplyDelete:)
A lovely story poem, with some memorable lines: "we tumbled a week’s worth of laughter" will stay with me.
ReplyDeleteI think that's one of my favorite lines too.
DeleteWhirling Haiku
Lovely evocation of childhood here, Pearl. I feel the joy and hear the laughter.
ReplyDeletePoignant Pearl, these are such difficult times… children are courageous, in them exists the possibility of a peaceful world.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you evoke this childhood memory of early run in the fields. Only children can escape giants and laugh about it.
ReplyDeleteLove the feeling of this poem. The words you emphasized gave it an extra 'oomph'. Beautiful!
ReplyDelete(Hope it works this time!) Love the feeling in your poem. The words you emphasized gave it an extra 'oomph'. Beautiful!
ReplyDeletesiblings together somehow soften the blow of reality .... Those first 13 years can be hell ....
ReplyDeletesiblings together somehow soften the blow of reality ... those first 13 years can be hell ....
ReplyDeleteThis seems at the same time a little threatening at the same time it evokes the fantasy of a child.. the sleeping poppies and the parent giants are very nice pictures... Lovely cadence here...
ReplyDeleteI love "the sleeping house of strange-mooded giants".....that is how kids feel - exactly - when faced with the incomprehensible behavior of some adults.
ReplyDeleteLove this poem. As children we ran and didn't understand or fully trust adults. I love the intimacy the children create. Made me wonder about the 13 years. What happened to the friendship? Anyway, I really enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteI like the repetition of "we ran", there is such a drive here. I feel the urgency. Great piece!
ReplyDelete"we tumbled a week’s worth of laughter"
ReplyDeleteSuch a vivid image, as is the running among the red tulips/poppies. Poppies give me WWI and II, so I love the contrast of life and death, the running and running "far from the sleeping house of strange-mooded giants.'
Evocative, touching, yet charming. A delight to read.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I enjoyed the romp.
ReplyDeleteZQ
Wonderful written.
ReplyDeleteThose fields covered in red that are run through. Such a great poem.
ReplyDeleteThis is why it feels as a happiness - a contrast between atmosphere at home and freedom running at the field with flowers....resonate.... :)x
ReplyDelete