We who with songs beguile your pilgrimage / And swear that Beauty lives though lilies die, / We Poets of the proud old lineage / Who sing to find your hearts, we know not why ... (James Elroy Flecker)

17.4.20

Remaining

Remaining

Having outlived 
husbands, lovers, 
the relatives of my generation —

I spend these vibrant years
immersed (as always)
in poetry and magic,

becoming finally 
self-sufficient. You have to, 
when you’re the last.

Lasting, far from left over,
continuing to continue,
I remain.


Written for April 2020 Day 16: In the Remains at 'imaginary garden with real toads'.

7 comments:

  1. Brava, Rosemary! I admire your calm resolve.

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  2. I like the defiant tone, Rosemary!

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  3. You have my heart with this poem, Rosemary!💝💝

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  4. Well-spoken, and well-lived. As it must be, when you are last, indeed.

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  5. Beautiful. Rosemary. I too fairly well fit this group. Of our first cousin group of nine, three have died, two are older than me. I don't have very much time for writing with home and family things plus necessary projects I have been putting off.
    I can dream of a slower life but the odds are against that.
    Sorry I'm so late getting here.
    ..

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  6. No. You are not a leftover. A survivor, a passer of the torch.

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  7. and such may it be for many years to come Rosemary - Hail to the fires that still spark and burn, glowing you warm in time ....

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