Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Portrait













The way her arms happened to
cradle them, they looked
like rounded fruit, past
the firmest stage, but

still sweet. Her daughters
and sons may remember
their tenderness as they
lean in for a hug. But
who maps the contours

of her orchards now?
Who knows that
crocuses will still
spring up under
her step after winter?


This is a manipulation of a stock photo.

26 Comments:

Blogger Bitterroot said...

Many of your poems cause me to feel a vibration in what I can only describe as the "heartstrings." This is one of them. Beautifully evoked.

1/10/2007 9:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Me.

1/11/2007 1:29 AM  
Blogger trinitystar said...

Beautiful mb! :o)

1/11/2007 1:42 AM  
Blogger Tongue in Cheek Antiques said...

wonderful!! A poem like that above a child's bed! "Who knows that crocuses will still spring up under her step after winter...."

The strong depth of those words.

Faith
courage
love and grace!!

1/11/2007 2:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm emailing all four of my children the address for this site so they can read this poem...how beautiful it is!

1/11/2007 3:34 AM  
Blogger Pat Paulk said...

What a wonderful portrait!! I love the last question. I wonder do we leave crocuses/flowers or weeds under our steps "after Winter"?

1/11/2007 4:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow! Great!!

1/11/2007 4:42 AM  
Blogger iamnasra said...

So lovely

1/11/2007 9:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

beautiful.

1/11/2007 11:00 AM  
Blogger Dave said...

Nice work.

1/11/2007 1:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

perfect, mb!

1/11/2007 2:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Beutiful blog you have here. Love your work. I would be interested in knowing where your photos are taken.

1/11/2007 4:46 PM  
Blogger Sky said...

you amaze me. even in the choice and manipulation of the image. i love the metaphors.

1/11/2007 8:08 PM  
Blogger snowsparkle said...

who knows what crocuses will spring up under her step.....

fabulous! love the image manipulation too! i've learned some cool new photoshop techniques at macworld this week. can't wait to try them out.

have you downloaded photoshop CS3 beta?

1/11/2007 10:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So many thoughts rushing through my heart right now, thanks to your lovely words!

alan

1/12/2007 12:30 AM  
Blogger MB said...

Bitterroot, your comment is much appreciated. Thank you.

Charlie, I think I knew that. ;-)

Trinitystar, thank you!

Corey, thank you very much.

Pauline, you honor me.

Pat, now you can look for them! ;-)

rdl, thanks!

Nasra, thank you.

Gautami, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Dave, thanks!

Polona, thank you very much.

Susan, welcome and thanks for commenting. Almost all of the pictures on this blog are mine, and so most are taken in Idaho.

Sky, I appreciate your noticing! Thank you.

Snowsparkle, no I haven't, I'm still working with CS. Have you?

Alan, your comment made me smile. I love knowing that you respond to the words. Thank you.

1/12/2007 9:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Lovely...

1/12/2007 5:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

this has to be the most beautiful photo ever! it is itself a poem.
the written poem is also very beautiful.wistful.
how blessed to have these two gifts.

1/13/2007 3:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Forget Midas' touch. The child's touch is sweeter. Liked the color contrast. It's as if she is infusing the strawberry with love.

1/13/2007 7:24 AM  
Blogger floots said...

what a wonderful melancholy piece
"who maps the contours of her orchards now" - splendidly sad
loved this
i may have lost a teardrop in my g and t

1/13/2007 9:02 AM  
Blogger Lori Witzel said...

Sweetness upon sweetness here, and still bracing and fine. Wow.

And re: Pat's comment, I've a secret hope that I'll leave weeds springing in my step, weeds like Zephyranthes and Tradescentia...

1/14/2007 9:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well this is just marvelous.

1/14/2007 11:38 AM  
Blogger Yes said...

This photo is an amazing slice of life--but you have made it iconic with the color and cropping--so ingenious and original!

1/14/2007 6:51 PM  
Blogger MB said...

Lettershaper, thank you.

Anonymous, thank you for the gift of your comment.

Mermaid, I'd take the touch of a child any day over gold!

Floots, thanks. I like to think there are those who still appreciate changing contours. ;-)

Lori, I'm convinced you'll leave *something* green and growing in your footsteps! And quite possibly flowers as stellar as the weeds you name.

Evangeline, why thank you!

Firebird, it was incredible material to start with, I have to say. Sometimes those stock photographers outdo themselves.

1/16/2007 11:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

very nicely done

great photo too

1/18/2007 3:00 PM  
Blogger MB said...

Camera shy, much appreciated. Thanks for stopping by!

1/19/2007 7:52 AM  

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