Photo courtesy of Unsplash
“What is happening to me happens to all fruits that grow ripe.
It is the honey in my veins that makes my blood thicker, and my soul quieter.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche
That which does not make our souls quieter
makes us stronger, honey.
And you, and you, my love, still disquieted,
I know what makes your blood boil. I know
what you see as strange or funny, that your
favorite fruit is the pear (substitute the 'p'
for a 't' and you have tear -same shape-
a familiar fluid we've shared).
You know veins in bodies and in rocks, and
how to rock a baby to sleep. You are deep.
Yet, that which makes me stronger
has ultimately quieted my soul:
accepting that blood is thicker than
water, that water can turn to wine (and
forgetting that could kill me), that
fruits need their chosen place in the sun
and soil to ripen; they need their
own happening place in time and space --
that we may always be thick as thieves,
but fragile and endangered as honey bees.
As for me -oh me- my love, you know I know
where to grow old and where my soul to keep.
Written for Write on Edge (I absolutely love that title!), who supplied the above photo and quote by Nietzsche as this week's writing prompt. I also incorporated another Nietzsche quote into my poem: "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
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7 comments:
ha. you have blended in some nice idioms as well...and an endearing end as well...that we all might know the best soil for us to grow and be...
Most tenderly spoken.
I followed your link back from my post and was absolutely amazed by your contribution to the Write on Edge prompt. (Yes, that is suchan awesome name!
This piece you have written is such an interesting tapestry that is smoothly flowing, each pause, turn of phrase, so well placed - I find myself lost in its pace - savouring its slow drizzle - much like honey stretching from a spoon.
I love the way you've incorporated a second Nietzsche quote as well.
Really moving.
Wow.I read this out loud and it tripped off my tongue with such emotion.
The opening line had me: "That which does not make our souls quieter
makes us stronger, honey." That's powerful. I loved it:~)
these last 4 lines are marvelous....wonderful-
that we may always be thick as thieves,
but fragile and endangered as honey bees.
As for me -oh me- my love, you know I know
where to grow old and where my soul to keep.
Thanks Lydia!
A wonderful poem! After reading previous poems you have written, I am astonished at your ability to capture the essence of so much in so few words. I also apreciate the quotes and photos on your site (especially Instructions for Living and the quote by Frank Barron). Thank you
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