ManicDDaily

Fern-Eared Angel

The shell of angel ear so fine
a curve, smaller (perhaps) than earth’s
ball surface (and grey stone), still births
bromeliad, fern whose sprung spine

grows fringed with fingered fronds that reach
into the cemetery air
their reversed message, a green clar-
ion (hushed) call, whose unfurled speech,

pronounced by ear, not lips, by dust–
blocked-breeze accumulation–
a granite annunciation–
seeds all who pass with unstained trust.

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The above is a poem written in “enveloped quatrains” for the prompt by With Real Toads, hosted by the wonderful Kerry O’Connor.  As Kerry explains (much more clearly), a famous poem in this form is Tennyson’s In Memoriam, and the prompt included various cool photographs of cemetery statuary.  These, particularly the photo by Isadora Gruye below, reminded me of the beautiful angel I saw (and drew above) on a visit to La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, which had ferns growing from her ear, wings and gown.  

Do visit With Real Toads to read Kerry’s article on this form and check out the other poetry.  Also, if you’ve got time, check out my books!!!!!  Poetry, GOING ON SOMEWHERE, (by Karin Gustafson, illustrated by Diana Barco). 1 Mississippi -counting book for lovers of rivers, light and pachyderms, or Nose Dive. Nose Dive is available on Kindle for just 99 cents! Nose Dive really is very funny and light hearted, and 1 Mississippi is a lot of fun for little teeny kids.