world extends frozen branches
adorned
with icy-jeweled, cruel hearts –
your wandering self shivers
hold out your hand
limbs burn
leaving red marks on exposed skin –
you’re numb with bitten touch
open your mouth
berries stick
peeling buds off tasting tongue –
you spit out bloodied words
brush to the side
leaves crackle
reminding ears of love’s warm fires –
you moan homesick desires
stare closely
ice reflects
blinding eyes with dazzling sparkle –
you squint, shed many tears
breathe in
scent disappoints
leaving nostrils cold and vacant –
you sneeze rejection’s virus
journey home
steps quicken
sparks awaken all your senses –
at hearth, rekindle your soul’s flame
~
Words and Photography ©2017 Tanya Cliff ~ to contact me
Posted in poetry & free verse. Bookmark the permalink.
(Inspired by my oldest son’s return for spring break. There’s no place like home.)
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
Thank you! Say, you had re-blog today up about bee and butterfly preservation in Iowa City. We were talking about Madison last night. That really is the “liberal corridor” of this part of the country, if you look at voting patterns, community involvement, green tech, and so on…
We need to grow it.
I had an apartment in Cedar Rapids, Iowa until I moved to Sicily last October, in 2008 I moved there to take a chef job, 3 months after arriving to start work there was a “great flood” that took the restaurant. I stayed in CR for the early voting thing, but also had a home in Chicago.
CR was cool, but not close to Madison in culture.
Agreed. Madison is a special place. I could live without the really cold winters, but I love the heart of this area.
Have you lived in Wisconsin a long time? You want the cold winter wind, visit Chicago in February, when the wind chill off the Chicago River as you cross the Loop Bridge downtown hits 15 below zero at high noon.
They don’t call it the “Windy City” for nothing. I was born in WI and have lived here off and on all my life. I’m a UW-Madison graduate who fell in love with the city during those years.
The fishing in Wisconsin was magnificent when I was a youth. My fondest childhood memories are of the times spent in Omro, Wisconsin fishing on the Fox River.
My middle son loves to fish. There are a lot of great places to go in this state.
🎣
Lol…Almost the season for it!
Here the fishermen/women are out daily.
My middle son would love that!
Well then maybe one day, his mom can bring the family here to fish, sun-bathe and eat great food.
If I am ever in your corner of the globe, that would be awesome.
If you ever find yourself in need of a family escape, you all are most welcome.
Thank you! That’s very kind of you.😊
OK, I won’t take anymore of your time, it’s always a pleasure to talk with you. Enjoy your International Woman’s Day. Be Well & Stay Safe.
I will do that! I enjoy our talks! Have a great day.
😎 😛 😎
😜😆😉
Amazing piece of work. Really the pen spoke emphatically.
Thank you, Amitav! That means a lot to me.😊
Marvelous, you got me at icy jewels. Nicely crafted
The picture served up some inspiration on that one. Thank you, Manuel! I’m so glad you liked it!😊
Oh it is always such a pleasure Tanya
😊
The ambiguous nature of life captured in amazing verse!
Thank you so much! I’m thrilled that you thought so.😊
Very finely crafted work of art in the written word . . . very poignant and powerful! Very good, indeed!
Thank you, Jonathan! You made my day!
🐞 Dünya kadınlar gününüz kutlu olsun.🐞
🐞 World women are happy for your day.🐞
🐞 Happy day Welt Frauen.🐞
🐞 Happy femmes du monde de la journée.🐞
🐞 Donne del mondo giorno felice.🐞❤
❤🐞 Día feliz de las mujeres del mundo.🐞❤
Thank you for sharing that!😊
You’re welcome.🐞
😊
This is lovely, Tanya… not for the first time, I find your poetry invigorating. 🙂
Thank you very much! I will work to deserve that and keep putting out pieces that move you.😊
Aww… well, I will look forward to them. 🙂
Anyway, you are most welcome.
Keep writing — and keep enjoying writing. 🙂
I will, thank you! You have a great day!😊
And you. 🙂
I will!😊
Rekindling the soul’s flame is a nice way to frame warming your hands, toes and heart.
Thank you, Keith! We all need a bit of that at times. Have a great day!😊
Nice poem and nice photo. Funny: it doesn’t feel cold. I suppose it’s the warmth of the wood and the berries beneath the ice. It ought to feel cold: but it doesn’t.
Lol…Thank you, Roger! It is why I choose that picture. In my mind it symbolizes the way the world can seem welcoming at times but actually be quite cold and deceptive…a reminder that real love and warmth are the people you call “home”.
It certainly works for me. There’s a deceptively toasty touch to it!
I like the way you phrased that!
Hello Tanya, we’ve bumped into each other after quite some time I think! Good to know your son is home for his break, I hope you have the best time ever with him. And wish you a happy women’s day 🙂
Thank you so much! Happy women’s day to you as well. I’m going to enjoy having him home!😊
You are such an artist. I admire how you combined beauty, poetry and the depth of word in your work. Amazing 🙂
Aui
Thank you, Aui! What a lovely thing to say. It means a lot to me!😊
🙂
😊
Outstanding Tanya, both the image and especially your words! Hugs and blessings my sister!
Thank you so very much, Wendell! Hugs and blessings back to you!😊
Wonderfulexpression of feelings.
Thank you, Aruna! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Most welcome dear.xo xo.
❤
Stunning piece, rings with a beautiful melody as I read it. Definitely one of my favourites 🙂
Thank you very much, Ari! I’m thrilled that you thought so. Have a great weekend! 😊
And you 🙂
I will.😊
What an inspiration!! There ain’t no place like home 😇☺️☺️
Thank you so much! I agree. I’ve moved a lot, so for me, home are the people I love who love me, and there is no place like them…😊
! If you ever find yourself in need of a family escape, you all are most welcome.
😊