you asked me to sew your heart
onto the soles of my feet
so i would tread more quietly
and leave a softer impression
i saw the record of my passage
as so many fallen petals
some soft blushed and full
some fading and muddied
which to love
which to look away from?
the fresh
the fallen
the sorry
the joyous
the unintentional
the weighted
not wishing to suffer the consequence
of choosing one before the other
i accepted
the ray splayed
and perfumed
the blanched
the fading
all dancing as one
in my eyes
no matter the beauty
not wishing for more
savouring
each
in their own wholeness
your words and the delicate petals blend into each other beautifully.
ReplyDeletethis is one of your best.
friko thankyou. i came across these petals on a lawn that i flashed past on my bicycle. i heard the little voice say "go back" and so i did. the lawn was immaculate. too much so. while the petals were in varying states of flush fulsomeness and decay. it was hard not to sit down in their midst!!! steven
ReplyDeleteA tremendous response to those petals you found, a bouquet of experience gathered up as a whole that is more than the sum of its parts. Gorgeous dance of words.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is so beautiful. I copuld enter right into it and savour each moment and thought as the words appeared before me.
ReplyDeleteDon't ever stop writing!!
ruth thankyou very much. steven
ReplyDeleteI felt like a rainbow reading this poem this morning (exactly the perfect moment to take it in) because I was smiling but my eyes teared up at the same time.
ReplyDeleteYou help me be more human every day, STeven. Thank you.
Lovely sentiment & stated so well. If only we could tiptoe across our wonderful earth. Thank you Steven; this may be my favorite of your poems.
ReplyDelete"...the ray splayed and perfumed"
ReplyDeleteohmygoodnessgracious.
Lovely, lovely, lovely.
I want to lay face down on that soft sweet carpet and breathe it all in.
I certainly savored the wholeness of this beautiful post. x
ReplyDeleteThat was really sweet. So touching.
ReplyDeletereya - some of these writings write themselves and this was one. i can take little credit really. from the instant i saw the petals to the moment this post was upped was one long seamless piece. i can only stand back and wonder. writing helps make me understand the human condition so much better. steven
ReplyDeleteOur house growing up had two amazing Japanese cherry trees right outside. Spring flower-snow was really something! Your words and images brought that back...
ReplyDeletevalerianna - so much of what i value now has been conscribed to the insignificant as it took place so long ago. i am in wonder at your magical recollection. steven
ReplyDeleteYour musings, words and gentle treading are echoing in the gardens and thoughts of all who read you today, Steven.
ReplyDelete