I start to trace
the map of her face,
the contours of her cheeks,
pools of blue eyes,
her valleys and her peaks,
drawing from distant memories,
trying to forget more recent days,
colouring the sunshine hours,
and feeling her warmth.
Kim M. Russell, 2017
My response to dVerse Poets Pub Tuesday Poetics: Musical Muse
This Tuesday Mish is behind the bar, serving up today’s Poetics. She says that after an action-packed road trip from Colorado to California to visit family, the grand finale of her ‘vacation’ was a concert with Nahko Bear and Medicine for the People, one of her favourite artists. Mish is especially moved by their meaningful lyrics, which is why she asks us to choose some lyrics, preferably one line from a favourite song and grow our own poems from them. We are not limited to the original themes of the songs but should forge our own poetic paths. We must just be sure to highlight the line(s), giving credit to the song and artist.
It was hard enough to choose a band or artist let alone a line from a song but, in the end, I took my one line, ‘Coloring the sunshine hours’, from ‘Ladies of the Canyon’ by Joni Mitchell, my one and only idol. I’ve provided a link to YouTube.
What a splendid line to chose, and such a poignant take with those memories of better days.. lovely
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Thanks Bjorn.
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My goodness, this touches me deeply. It makes me think of my mommy, of course — when she was younger and more available to me. I miss her laughing, jovial spirit … and her mobile body … most of all. Now she’s confined to a wheelchair. 😦
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I’m so sorry if the poem made you sad – it does me too. I lost my mum in January after five and half years of rapid downhill dementia devastation. It’s heartbreaking to see our mothers get old and sick. I hope you are able to spend plenty of time with your mum, Jade. Much love xxx
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I only see her twice a year. It’s horrible. My family is in one state; my husband’s is in another. It has everything to do with my hardened heart, seeing her disappear like this. Of course she’s still there, but the mom I grew up with isn’t. I just wish she were the one who was about to turn 40, not me. 😦
I’m so sorry about your mom, Kim. When’s her birthday?
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Thank you, Jade. She would have been 80 on 5th July.
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Oh Kim. And of course, this brought to mind my mom as well. I had a good cry after reading this and am ready to read it again. I am so glad you chose your Joni.
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Why do I write poems that make us cry? I’m sending hugs, Toni. xxx
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For the same reason I write poems that make us cry. Hugs.
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So beautiful. Made me cry all over again too. XXXX
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I’m afraid I’m joining the memory party but in my case this reminded me of my grandmothers, especially the lines about colouring the old memories over the new. We can cling to old memories so tightly when we’re faced with the pain and loss.
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I totally get this poem, maybe that’s why it didn’t make me cry? I lost both parents 3 years ago and left so much unresolved, unsaid… I suppose it makes me feel wistful, great poem Kim!
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Thanks Diana.
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My memories of my mother go to a photo of her when she was twelve before I ever saw her. She looked like my daughters. Nice remembrance of the sunshine hours.
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Thanks Frank. I have a photo of my mum at a similar age.
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The earth is now my mother, and I tire of watching her being raped. My Mom died 51 years ago, but your words still conjured the tight gut & wet cheeks; nice job. I almost went with a Joni song too.
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Thank you, Glenn. You can’t go wrong with Joni. I’ll be continuing reading later on today when I get home.
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Excellent!
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I completely agree!! I’ve never lost a person close to me, but I remember when I was younger and lost my first ever pet – I was crippled – horrible times – but I suppose some good can come from even the worst of things.
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Amber.
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Thanks Jill!
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Joni could and probably has inspired 1,000 poems from each of her songs. I love her. And like Joni, your poem has a wistful quality. Perfect pairing!
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Thank you so much!
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A lovely poem – hold on to your memories
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Thank you, Truedessa!
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this is tender. gentle. and ever sweet.
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Thank you!
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Songs are poetry and we can hardly go wrong with such beautiful lines. Nicely done.
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Thank you!
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Ah, a very poignant write. Both song and your poem sends warmth to the heart.
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Thanks Maria.
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Harking back to the memory of who she was in earlier years……something to hold onto through the years of loss. Such a poignant poem and photo.
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Thank you, Sherry.
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A beautiful choice of song Kim and a very moving poem – I love how it also echoes the cover art of Joni’s album xxx
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Thank you, Xenia! Hope you’re enjoying some sunshine hours today! xxx
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Thank you Kim, the sun is out here, hope it is shining in Norfolk too! :o) xxx
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🙂 xxx
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I felt your heart beating throughout this poem – so special!
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Thank you, Candy!
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Excellent topographical chart of memory. The contours lead us to smiles and tears as we trace….
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A beautiful line to inspire a beautiful poem. Love emanates from your words. I hope you find peace in those precious memories. (((hugs)))
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Thank you, Mish xxx
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We never stop grieving our mothers. I was right there with you, from beginning to end. What a beautiful tribute and homage to priceless memories, wrapped in love. ❤️ The line was perfect. Who doesn’t love Joni?
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Thank you!
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You traced a beautiful picture and coloured it in wonderfully…the song was perfect.
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Thank you, Paul!
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Beautiful poignant poem.
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Thank you so much.
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Brava.. 🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺
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🙂
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Great thanks
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