There is a little more to this write than may be immediately apparent on first reading. A dark and ominous canvass painted over with a pretty landscape perhaps? What do you read into it? ;)
Sunshine stretches
languidly
over the virid lawn
Dew-traced tips
sparkle, iridescent
as jewels
Footprints incongruously
emboss the velvet-
softness
Morning air,
richly charged
with ozone.
A fragrant olio
of subtle scents -
Sweet peas, jasmine,
pine needles
...and freshly ground coffee
filters between the seams
He squints obliquely
through the open door
Shadowed face
sketched
with anticipation
Skin draped in folds
like old fabric
decorated with pores
and errant tufts of hair.
Calloused hands,
like knotted roots, grip
the handle of the spade.
Nails encrusted with
soil and old blood.
Chanti,
I like how you bring this scene to life with scents and imagery. I really like your descriptions of the man. The contrast between the shadowed man and the brightly colored cottage is intriguing. I see why this picture inspired you. Great write:)
Sheila
...darkness and mystery to be found here...perhaps the gardener has just finished planting a black dahlia...to resurface as a blood turnip. ...excellent suspenseful images and write Chanti.
John
Nice to see you and feel you again Chanti - I found much in your lines of growing old, appreciation of knowing he could still garden, and the love he has, is still around...
I love the ominous feeling that hovers from picture, you, your undying crafty words ~
To work hard and appreciate Life and your love - is what I found wafting in your style!
WONDERFUL Poem! I love dark eerie thrilling writes...The picture is stunning!
Warmest Blessings, LOVE, LIGHT, and Inner Peace, Warrior Purple Passion Soulful Sheexooo
I like this mystery and suspenseful ending. It could mean a lot of things, like he is waiting for her to come in so he can murder her, or he is waiting for her because she makes his dinner, or he is going to tell her about her yard, and what it needs. So many things can be read into this. Thank you for sharing, Chanti.
May The Lord Jesus bless you, and those whom you love, and who love you, and be with you always, and at your side constantly. With much love in my heart, joy to the world, peace on earth, & ((((((((((MANY WONDERFUL SISTERLY HUGGGGSSSS)))))))))), your little sister, Barbie
Oooh...much mystery, much suspense....very intriguing my friend, you've got a way of catching one's attention..reminds me of something I would see on the old show The Twilight Zone...wreaks of murder, mystery, and an untold tale...maybe you'll have a continuing part II for this excellent write my friend!
Blessings,
Joyce B.
Muwhaahaaahaaa....Umm the suspense and dark foreboding ...Excellent...as you lead the reader from life to death (or...worse) I know you were worried nobody would get it but it seems they did. ;) This piece has the flavour of Saki (H.H. Monroe), and as Roger says below, a bit of Hitchcock too.
God Snuggs, I love your mind...and the rest of you rocks too ;)
Sounds like after years of smiling and Yes Dearing, he has taken all he can take and will take no more and is about to squash the offending pest and plant her amid the flowers of his prized garden. Sometimes being married forever can grate on one's nerves. SC
`A gardner working his hands to the bone,, his life is his pride of beauty he's created,,and hmmmmm?? His blossom he has waited for blooms finally, as he has waited for this moment to see his daughter once again. (?)
"Nails encrusted with soil and old blood." Into this idyllic scene comes a killer smiling in anticipation as the next victim approaches. The poem sets the reader at ease and introduces evil with a subtle touch. The message: Never take anything for granted. Always be alert.
Chanti
I feel his long awaited for lost love has arrived :)
Or...
Maybe it is Mother Nature Approching....(rabbits, squirrils ect.)
But like Charlie (death) I think perhaps his celestial angel has entered his earthly life to take him to the empyrean garden of heaven...
Your Words Are So Beautiful & Flowing Like A Perfect Peaceful Harmony
I Just Love The Softly Fluid & Ellegance of Your Poetic Words
Poetess Your Are A Word Smith....
Embraced ~ Embrassé
Vickie
"death lurking behind doors" comes to mind. It reminds me a bit of David Hightower's poem, "Errand", only more ominous. I at first thought of the lurker as "Death", but with the blood and soil on the spade, I changed my mind. This "gardener" means evil, and this is obviously not his first "planting" either, as the blood and soil is "encrusted" on the handle. And the great give-away, is the last word... his smile. He plants death. But what shall he reap? --Charlie
I see him as the hard working gardener who has lived and loved all those years waiting to make her his and his alone. He had spent his years creating beauty for her pleasure. Thank you for sharing Chanti.
You open the door to much imagination with your verses, Chanti. The stark contrasts capture the reader's attention and hold it and then make her/him think about all the possibilities of what has happened and what is yet to come about. The painting powerfully complements the whole creative offering. Thank you for sharing your gifts. Love, peace, and best wishes,
No one would know how long he had waited patiently in the wings, the poor boy grown to manhood subservient to the one he loved and her bastard of a husband. Living in the small servants shack he would hear the screams and crying night after night and his heart burned for the love of his life entrapped by only a marraige vow to another...till death do they part. Now maybe he could move out of the shadows and she would see him in a different light.
Great poem and picture Chanti and so glad to see your name up here again...you have been missed.
hugs
Fee
This piece speaks to the greatest pleasures in every gardener's heart...an amazing bower that greets the one who tends to it, and someone who loves and tends to the gardener...a tremendously gentle piece that caresses the reader with it's beauty. Love you, Michelle
Reviewed by Amanda Risi (Reader)
Reviewed on August 10, 2008
Thank you Chanti,... for these delicate lines, ... Wondrous, enchanting. ♫ ♥
My book of poetry is being redone by me, I have a beautiful cover designed and the book will have a few more than 200 poems in it. I am going to have it printed on demand here in Canada. When it is done I will let you know when it is done and if anyo
Inspirational poetry, written from the heart and soul. Verses that are well-suited for reading on a rainy day and that are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
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Walt
I like how you bring this scene to life with scents and imagery. I really like your descriptions of the man. The contrast between the shadowed man and the brightly colored cottage is intriguing. I see why this picture inspired you. Great write:)
Sheila
John
You have taken the reader on a vividly created poetic masterpiece - absolutely stunning write!
Best to you,
Lance
I truly enjoyed the darkness of this. -- Jeff
The contentment of love...
I love the ominous feeling that hovers from picture, you, your undying crafty words ~
To work hard and appreciate Life and your love - is what I found wafting in your style!
WONDERFUL Poem! I love dark eerie thrilling writes...The picture is stunning!
Warmest Blessings, LOVE, LIGHT, and Inner Peace, Warrior Purple Passion Soulful Sheexooo
STay Positive!
May The Lord Jesus bless you, and those whom you love, and who love you, and be with you always, and at your side constantly. With much love in my heart, joy to the world, peace on earth, & ((((((((((MANY WONDERFUL SISTERLY HUGGGGSSSS)))))))))), your little sister, Barbie
Blessings,
Joyce B.
God Snuggs, I love your mind...and the rest of you rocks too ;)
C. Chops
I feel his long awaited for lost love has arrived :)
Or...
Maybe it is Mother Nature Approching....(rabbits, squirrils ect.)
But like Charlie (death) I think perhaps his celestial angel has entered his earthly life to take him to the empyrean garden of heaven...
Your Words Are So Beautiful & Flowing Like A Perfect Peaceful Harmony
I Just Love The Softly Fluid & Ellegance of Your Poetic Words
Poetess Your Are A Word Smith....
Embraced ~ Embrassé
Vickie
Newfie Hugs, Rose
Regis
Great poem and picture Chanti and so glad to see your name up here again...you have been missed.
hugs
Fee
So nice to be reading you again - what a delightful place, your garden. Well done!
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
I find this poem to be totally charming. You write so well that I felt I was there watching him. BRAVO!
Blessings.
Marcia
Take care,
Sherry
x0x0x
Ron