Suspended in time - a moment to think and express. A wide range of thoughts to paint this vignette with a poet’s flair. And the quality is always and forever, off the charts. Making a difficult task a labor of love! The BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS:
MARIE ELENA’S PICK:
Walt, you are not kidding — quality off the charts for certain. It seems to grow with every passing week, if that is even possible.
My choice for this week is entitled Beyond the Love of Fishing, penned by a voice I’ve missed for too long now: Linda Evans Hofke. Several of you are not only poets, but story dreamers. It seems what we struggle to do ourselves amazes us in others, and I truly envy this ability. Linda, your story is engaging, poignant, and complete. Your poem is exquisite in language. But combined? Superb. Congratulations, Linda. To be chosen from this week’s assemblage is quite a tribute.
Beyond the Love of Fishing by Linda Evans Hofke
Grandpa’s hands were old and gnarled
like the bark of the trees surrounding him,
yet in the thick of winter he clutched
his fishing rod, gloveless hands exposed
to the elements, patiently waiting
for a fish to nibble at the bait,
determined to provide for dinner.
Though the bounty of the river
was plentiful, he’d often spend hours
down by the water for one reason
or another—the need to reel in a second
catch because the first was too meager
for a proper meal, or fragile Mr. Wilkens
would stroll by and knowing the unfortunate
state of both his health and his finances,
Grandpa would offer the fish to him.
More than once his generosity resulted
in he and Grandma having a simple meal
of potatoes that evening, but Grandma
never complained. Not only did she love
his selfless acts but she loved every
little thing about him—that slightly
crooked smile of his just before he
recited the punchline of a joke,
the way he whistled church hymns
while he planted the garden in Spring,
the stray curl of a hair that always
flew out of place right next to his left
ear when wet. She noticed every tiny
detail, good or bad, and loved him
with all her heart. It was that love,
so deep and true, that allowed her
to get through any Sunday meal.
On the day of his funeral as we shared tales
of his life, we spoke of those year-round
Sunday fishing trips. A lump formed
in my throat as I thought of this tradition
ending and solemnly swore to do my best
to catch a fish the coming Sunday.
A sweet smile replaced her teary eyes
as she replied, “Don’t bother, dear.
I always hated fish, but he so loved
to fish and I couldn’t break his heart.”
WALT’S CHOICE:
The stark contrast of this black and white photograph by Keith R. Good (shouldn’t that be, Keith IS Good?) is expressed greatly in form and words, a new painting is crafted. The artist: RJ Clarken. RJ, here’s your BLOOM.
LANDSCAPE by RJ Clarken
The landscape was bleak, barren, sere.
My breath floated like a small cloud
across the chilly air. I vowed,
with all my heart, for all this year
to find the good. I was sincere.
In a sure voice, both clear and loud,
my breath floated like a small cloud.
The landscape was bleak, barren, sere,
but by this rill I shed no tear.
Instead, resolved, I had allowed
myself to cast off winter’s shroud.
At the shoreline, this did appear:
no landscape was bleak, barren, sere.
Congratulations Linda and Randi!
January 19th, 2013 at 9:30 AM
Thank you so much!!! Wow! What a lovely surprise!
January 19th, 2013 at 12:02 PM
And also, thanks to Keith for a wholly inspiring photograph! You all made my day!
January 19th, 2013 at 9:31 AM
And Linda, your poem is simply beautiful. <3
January 19th, 2013 at 9:36 AM
Wonderful choices!
This photo worked so well to inspire words in all directions! Go Keith!
January 19th, 2013 at 9:50 AM
Wowee, both beautiful choices. Congratulations Linda and RJ!
January 19th, 2013 at 9:59 AM
Yes, Marie Elena and Walt! Two wonderful poems. Congratulations to Linda and RJ.
January 19th, 2013 at 10:11 AM
Congrats to Linda and RJ. I see why they are both winners with these poems.
January 19th, 2013 at 10:33 AM
Wow, Linda. Your poem brought tears to my eyes with its beauty and feeling. And R.J., I could have seen the picture in your poem had the photo never been shown. Fabulous blooms!
January 19th, 2013 at 10:50 AM
Agreed!! Great picking, Marie and Walt!!
’s and congrats!
January 19th, 2013 at 10:51 AM
Congratulations to Linda & RJ …. both very well deserved
January 19th, 2013 at 11:27 AM
Congrats to RJ and Linda! Wonderful work.
January 19th, 2013 at 11:35 AM
Linda, I loved the story you weaved regarding your grandfather, and your grandmother, too. She ate fish because she loved HIM! RJ, all I had seen in the picture was its bleakness, but your poem chose to go beyond that. Both of these poems are well written.
January 19th, 2013 at 2:49 PM
Beautiful pieces, both! Congrats Linda & RJ — and Walt & Marie for another bloomin’ week.
January 19th, 2013 at 3:04 PM
OMG. I hadn’t even known until Laurie congratulated me. What a shock! There was such good work posted and I liked so many of the poems. Two of my favorites were from Jane Shlensky and K8e314. I actually thought they were going to be the winners.
And Sheryl, this wasn’t really really about my grandfather. As most of my work, it began with an ounce of truth and grew into several pounds of fiction.
Congrats to you, Rj! Pleased to share the spot with you.
January 19th, 2013 at 3:05 PM
LOL. How’d the above comment end up with 2 really? Silly fingers. They are always doing that to me.
January 19th, 2013 at 3:13 PM
Linda, so very Beautiful! Congratulations! RJ, your work is always so very unique!! Congratulations!
January 20th, 2013 at 12:14 PM
RJ and Linda, you stand as examples of genuineness and human understanding. That’s what I heard and felt in both of your poems. Congratulations to both of you for a truly deserved win.
January 22nd, 2013 at 1:20 PM
Congratulations to Linda and RJ!! Excellent choices Maria and Walt
Linda, such a vivid tale with the most perfect ending; RJ Your rhyming and rhythm are lovely contrasts to the starkness of the words.
January 24th, 2013 at 11:00 PM
Linda & RJ, these poems are incredibly beautiful. Walt & Marie, again, great choices.