The Crown
Bougainvillea florets tremble like
scarlet ribbons tied in bows on young flesh
Archways of stone outstretch
reposeful winds on muted statues with listless stares
Foreboding leopard keeps vigil
a silent killer, her sentry will shield if a threat declares
Pillars of light bring rays of respite yet
tears seal her withering heart within flouted ceiling
Ferns rest on rain-washed stone
clouds hand low, napping fretful on arid white clay
Yearning memories breathe, yet
a painful, solitary existence caused by war lingers
Sunshine bid her recall of a chaplet of crimson
once laid upon her head, a promise of their eternal love
Sleep beckons like the dance of a hummingbird
and like sweet honey the taste of him returns, she rests
Gorgeous, Joni!
Thank you, Barbara, and I am glad you enjoyed it. Sending you lots of hugs, Joni
Beautiful, Joni!
Timothy, I am so glad that you liked this piece. When I think about how many women waited for the return of someone they loved taken by war, it truly makes me sad. I have always admired women who are strong enough to keep the hope for years that their husbands will be returned or that they will learn anything. One day, perhaps the earth will exist without wars, but I am guessing that is unlikely. However, love and hope will always be there for those who love someone and are waiting. Big hugs and blessings to you and your family, Timothy. Thank you again for the lovely comment.
Magnifica poesia, Joni 👑
I was caught up in it’s crowning glory.
Oh thank you David what a sweet thing to say. Enormous hugs and blessings coming your way my friend. ❤️🙏❤️
🙏 🥰🕶️
🙏🖤❤️
This has a timeless, classical feel, Joni. As always, your stunning imagery is immaculate, peerless. Such beautiful lines here, and the waiting at the end is painfully apparent.
I’m reminded a little of a story I read in my Masters of American Literature class during my freshman year of college–“A New England Nun” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman. The specifics differ between your poem and the story, but it’s a tale of a woman waiting for a man to return, and the uncomfortable and sorrowful truth of how years of isolation can change a person’s plans, personality and worldview.
Your poetry is on another level, Joni. This is a tantalizing foray into the mind of a master poet. All the best to you and Scott. 😊
Dear Mike as I have so much respect for your writing and your ability to elicit such vivid and strong emotional responses that I am humbled by your kind words.
I will check this poem out “A New England Nun,” and thank you for the reference. I believe when people are isolated for any reason it changes our perception. After waiting for a love to return would have a devastating impact on the life of that individual. Thank you for the kind analogy. Thank you also for reading my dear friend.
“This is a tantalizing foray into the mind of a master poet.” What a sweetheart you are indeed. Scott and I both send our love and blessings.
Wonderful writing. Bravo.
Thank you so much. I so appreciate your reading this piece and your gracious comment. Hope you are having an amazing week my friend. Hugs, Joni
What a moving poem, Joni! A beautiful write! Kudos to you 👏💐❤️
KK, thank you so much for reading and that lovely comment. You know how much your work shows great wisdom and kindness to me. So many thanks my wise friend. 🤗❤️🤗
You’re welcome always 🙏❤️
Thank you, dear KK. ❤️❤️
Aw, such beautiful words. “She rests” summed it up nicely. I love the mood. 😊❤️
Thank you Felix. I appreciate your words a lot. I considered you to be a great judge of talent. I am also glad you mentioned the ending as I wondered if it would feel unfinished to some people. Sending appreciation, and great big southern hugs my friend. Blessings to you. 🙏❤️🙏
The ending is great, I can assure you. You nailed it. Feel most welcome, and warm hugs to you, too, my friend Joni. ❤️❤️
You are too kind my friend. Thank you for your words, they are music to my ears. Great big hugs to you dear friend. ❤️❤️
Feel most welcome. Always. ❤️❤️❤️
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Thank you for this sensitive and brilliant prose, Joni!
It’s wonderful the way you put it to music at the top of the post.
You are lovely and talented and I am so happy to know you!
HUGS xx
Thank you, Resa. You are very kind with your comments, and I appreciate them so much. I am glad you liked the music. A lot of lonely women waiting for the men to return from the way, still waiting and waiting. I appreciate knowing you and enjoying your amazing multiple talents, my friend. I hope I am not missing that new portrait. I got wrapped up in some of your photography of street art today and spent an hour just studying the art. You are so sweet the way you moved those giant pieces of metal away from that gorgeous nature piece. “Freeing it from the prison,” or something like that – the photo you took from the car will be like the beautiful animals soon, encaged behind bars. Only that will be the only way anyone will be able to see a lion or an eagle again. Glad you took down those bars my friend, symbolic of your love for art, artist and the beautiful things they paint. You go girl! Big hugs and great work!
Thank you, Joni!
OMG! This is a reply to my comment on your fabulous writing.
Lol, as I finished reading, I forgot because of all your kind and generous words to/about me.
I do believe we have the same/similar thoughts of humanity and nature in our hearts.
Yes, I freed the art!
I suppose I’m a bit of an odd duck, in that I wander the streets and alleys searching for art.
I spend 2-4 hours at a time just walking and looking. At least there are health benefits.
You have NOT missed the Joni portrait. I have finished it, and am in the process of taking pics (in different lighting) and doing some editing.
Holly will have choices this weekend. Then, she will have to schedule a post into her busy schedule.
I will email or let you know in comments when it goes live.
Tina Turner will be my next portrait. There is another example of a person who endured domestic abuse.
You are a gem. Keep on shining!
xoxoxo
OMG, Tina Turner, I love her. Indeed, I have been looking for your portrait, but it will be extremely worth the wait. I think you should have a Portrait section on your site. I could not find it the other day, and we looked you up online and read all about the unbelievable stars you have clothed and some amazing movies, but I could not find any of your portrait work for the life of me. You are not an odd duck at all, just one who really appreciates art and really knows how to capture street art, which is not easy to photograph. Of course, you are also an artist yourself. Please do email me; I don’t want to miss it, I am very excited to see how you capture her. All the studying pays off as well because to have captured Janis Joplin the way you did was just such a unique and stunning portrait. Thank you for going to the trouble of letting me know, I can’t wait to see what you do with the amazing Joni M. I’ll keep my lights on if you will – big hugs and have an amazing evening. xoxoxo
Hmm, that is a good suggestion, Joni!
I’ll add a portraits page to my website!
It will be a lovely addition to all the stars I’ve worked with.
Nothing bogs my creativity more than the government. Once I get taxes and other annual paperwork out of the way, I want to get back to my anecdotal memoir about my time and experiences in film.
Anyway, I really love that idea about a portraits page. Thank you!!
Big Hugs to you~!
Have a GRRREEATT Week! xxxxx
So delighted you agree. I usually hesitate to suggest things to other writers, authors, and now famous designers, but I think others are missing out. Many people may not know you have this incredible talent and I think they would be amazed at your ability to capture the spirits of these individuals. Big hugs and hope you have an amazing week as well my friend. xoxoxoxo
I am always open to suggestions.
No harm in listening. I can take a suggestion or leave it. However, if there are never suggestions, there’s no choices in that regard.
xoxoxoxo
So true, thank you. I agree completely. 🦋❤️🦋
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Such a beautiful poem, Joni. I love seeing you back on track with your writing. As always, your poetry is on another level, my dear. 😊
Thank you, Nigel. Yes, being sick will slow one down. Thanks to prayers and blessing from God, I am back at it but at my pace. Spending time with my honey will be my priority, also. I am glad you liked this piece, and I appreciate your kind words. Thank you for reading, always. Love from both of us.
You’re welcome, my dear.
Thank you Nigel and all the prayers too, prayers work and I am grateful to be writing again. ❤️🙏❤️
Prayer definitely works 💪
Yes, it does, and thank you, my friend, for all of yours. Scott and I both appreciated your kindness and love.
This poem also reminds me a bit of me waiting for my oldest daughter to return to her family. Thank you for this beautiful poem. Love always
Dear Soul Sister,
I am so glad this brought a happy feeling to your heart my dear friend. I truly hope that you are all rejoicing and I can not wait to catch up soon. Love always, Joni
sleeps beckons like the dance of a humming bird = such a gorgeous dream state Joni <3
Thank you dear Trâm. I just love the strength and intuition of the hummingbirds. They use to come to me in the still of summers early mornings and they would sit and my silence brought them. They would dance and make soft sounds to me. They can recognize human faces. I feel they are like visits from souls. <3
the earth spoke to you? or within your solitude you have become one with the cosmos, a part of the mycelium of the universe.. so beautiful Joni, I can feel that..
Thank you so much Trâm for reading and what a cherished compliment. I appreciate your reading and this encouraging comment. I do feel one with nature. In fact I believe we are part of nature and that it is an enormous gift. Just like the fungal connection to the mycelium of the trees, their internet I feel connected to you and the people that you translate for through their beautiful poetry. Thank you my friend. Many blessings to you . . . <3 <3<3
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Poignant and beautiful. You are a master of evocative imagery, Joni. Sending love, A. <3
Anna you are such a thoughtful friend. I am so glad that you enjoyed this piece. I am so glad that you could envision this piece. Your words and appreciation for something I write is always a heartfelt feeling. Sending love and prayers on the Sabbath. <3 <3
Such vivid imagery!
Dear Dawn, I have been out of town. I am sorry for the late response. Your kind response means a lot to me. Thank you for reading. I hope that God is blessing you with a wonderful week. Love Joni
Thank you, Joni, for your beautiful and inspiring poem, written by talented you! I love the music!
Joanna x
Dear Joanna, Thank you so much for your kind words and I am very glad you enjoyed the music. I appreciate you reading me here and your leaving such a kind comment. Many thanks and big hugs and blessings, Joni
Beautifully done!
Thank you so much for reading me here. It is nice to meet you and I am so glad you enjoyed “The Crown.” Blessings, Joni
Indeed! My pleasure, nice to have met you as well. Blessings to you. 🙏
so beautiful Joni! 💖💖