faraway

by mmichaelmPort Charlotte, Florida, USA

May 2010 438 Views 3 comments

the faraway

"I have things in my head that are not like what
anyone has taught me..." - Georgia O'Keeffe

Tonight I walked into the sunset.
The words fly from her in whispers
like eagles winging
into the radiance of dusk-
a palette of colors painting her life,
fluent in the dialog of grief.

She casts herself wide across the faraway,
the land fragile as the bones of death
slicing sharply to the center of something
vivid and pure, wonderful in its contradictions-

something. . .
vast and empty and untouchable,
keenly alive. . . and knows no kindness
with all its beauty.

Here, she breathes the earth
and holds the sky with both hands.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Posted: May 2010

About this poem:

This poem is a tribute to the life of artist Georgia O'Keeffe, an incredible lady as well as artist. "the faraway" was the name of her home in the New Mexico desert where she spent much of her free time. When she died, they spread her ashes across the land she loved so much. I was honored to have had this poem nominated for the Pushcart Prize in 2004. Being nominated was a great honor.

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Comments (3)

agoodguy2havesuffolk, Virginia USAMay 15, 2010

a very good poem about 1 of my favorite painters, in her NM years. You know she also did many fine paintings of NYC too.

jazzy75Houston, Texas USAMay 17, 2010

Wonderful tribute and sentiment...I enjoyed it's freedom. Thank you for sharing

Ladybee42East Liverpool, Ohio USAMay 17, 2010

i'm not suprised it was nominated, it's a very well thought out piece of poetry, evocative and if read aloud - sounds lovely. thanks for sharing this piece...