In Dutch, there is a saying that lonely people hide behind the geraniums and look out upon the world meekly and in fear. I visited a project in Almelo, where a young Turkish woman, after a stroke, was coming out from behind those geraniums.


geraniums

behind the
geraniums
she hides
to face
the world
unseen

timid live
as
timid die
above the
ground
beneath the
sky
with only
fear
between

her face
now dark
yet in
those eyes
as brown
as the
wet earth

a smile
is born
as life
once torn
by life
by loss
by strife
is replaced
by a
quiet calm
her once
dead arm
can now
just form
the open
hand
of welcome

her children
laugh
her husband
quits
yet
in the
evening
star light
sits
the future
bold
imperfect





Poetry by Peter Humphreys
Read 1001 times
star mini Editors' choice
Written on 2007-07-08 at 00:27

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David L Wright
There's a gentle sadness in your write. Strokes are difficult for everyone, but sometimes the ones you love the most walk away.
Happy trails neighbor.
2008-02-03


BlueyedSoul
Peter this is just beautiful....I simply adore your work and am so glad to see you recognized.
~Blue
2007-07-10


Elle The PoetBay support member heart!
It is wonderful to see this as editors choice - I've not heard of that Dutch saying - but geraniums have a special meaning for me and this poem did capture a lot of how I felt.

This is wonderful, colourful and descriptive poetry which I get so much pleasure from reading

Elle x
2007-07-09


Rob Graber
This is so very fine, truly an inspired piece! Bravo!
2007-07-08


penfold18
I've never heard of the saying but I do like geraniums almost as much as i liked the poem.
2007-07-08


normalil
Was delighted to see a new write from you Peter, and read it at once. Lovely as usual. (I was unaware of this Dutch saying.)
Much enjoyed as always, regards, Normalil.
2007-07-08