Gorse

Cherry

By onemorething

Thu, 01 Apr 2021
  • 1334 reads
8 comments
 

I was raised beneath gorse,

where the attention of thorns

became the pain of a substitute 

for love, and whilst her flowers

seemed to cloak the earth 

in sunlight, I could only wear them

as hope. Time folds land

into ridges of scars,

though I still hold the word

mother below my tongue,

as hard as a stone, as yellow

as dread. Mother; the anticipation 

of the sweetness of almond,

the softness of blossom, but

instead I cup the moon, lifeless 

and remote, in the cradle of my palm,

clasp its cold solace to my body,

where the well is so deep now

that the bottom is midnight. 
 

Image is from here: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ulex_europaeus_—_Flora_Batava_—_Volume_v2.jpg

Certificate U
Poem
Unclassified

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rachel,

there's a resilience in this poem about this flower, that shows it's a survivor in a harsh landscape. A willingness not to give in, but to soldier on regardless. This can be seen as in the end, the tough will pull through, no matter what.

I remember the puppy I got from a litter of six, she was the weakest out of the litter because she had to struggle to get milk from mum and was always pushed away by her siblings,  but in the end she survived the longest out of her brothers and sisters.

I know this has nothing to do with the poem, but it just reminded me of how strength can come in many forms.

Inspired reading as always Rachel.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thanks Jenny. Yes, it spreads its thorniness across a landscape. Good for the soil and therefore other plants too, something to do with nitrogen, I think. Lovely blazes of yellow. Your resilient little puppy sounds very sweet. I'm sure it might have had something to do with how well she was cared for by you. Thanks for reading it and leaving a comment. :)

 

Submitted by marandina on

"I still hold the word mother below my tongue.."Nature takes us away to another place entirely. Beautiful if equally harsh, at times. Poignant and reflective.

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thanks Paul. That's so true, nature does takes us there. Perhaps that's why I rely on it for something to hang my feelings on. :)

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Jenny's insightful comment leaves me with nothing to say except thank you!

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thank you insert, glad you liked it. :)

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

"her flowers

seemed to cloak the earth 

in sunlight, I could only wear them

as hope. Time folds land

into ridges of scars,

though I still hold the word

mother below my tongue

as hard as a stone,"===============================

I have been sitting here for ages, trying to think of something adequate to write about this, but couldn't, then Tina put in lots of equal signs, which I hope you can understand. I think it means you are brilliant

 

Submitted by onemorething on

Thank you Di, that's very lovely. A comment is never more appreciated than one from Tina. Am very pleased you both enjoyed it. x