An Ode to Gertrude
Mamaw still lives in the hills
Though her body became one with the earth
Years ago
In the way butterflies nestle
Within the sweetness of tiger lily petals
In the way wild blackberries hang from the shade of a leaf
The purple stains dotted against the bush
In the way the sun still glistens above the rooftop
Of her home once shared with papaw
Mamaw is still there
Her spirit dancing amongst the life she planted into the earth
Forever and always
13 thoughts on "An Ode to Gertrude"
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She sounds lovely
Thank you, she absolutely was!
Evocative images and sounds.
Thank you, I hope you enjoyed!
I loved this. A portrait in images.
Thank you I appreciate it!
I love how you connect her to nature!
She was very much a woman of the literal world, she was wonderful!
beautiful
Thank you!
Most odes use apostrophe–direct address– so “You still live in the hills / though your body became one…”
Well for me I liked how I used the word in reference to highlighting the woman I was discussing, to honor her in the way I chose works for me.
Beautiful ode.
Mamaw still lives in the hills/Though her body became one with the earth/
followed by “in the way…”
images that take me to the physical manifestation of her returning to earth.