For NaPoWriMo – day 5
Card 35, Gallery 2
Quickening
Now, our traveler rises
each day with eager
expectancy, buoyancy
she’d not known in past.
Finds beauty in small
things, bright rings
of color where before
there had been none.
Everything has a glow
and she reaches to know,
like a child born new
within her.
Walks with lighter step,
sometimes dancing,
laughing out loud. Seeks
out people, even in crowds.
Observes wrinkles in an old
woman’s face, yearns to trace
story they hold, of life fully
lived, both sorrows and joys.
Feels smoothness of skin
beneath little boy’s chin,
matching his grin
with one of her own.
Each evening she sits,
humming new song. Pens
notes, while exploring
each new treasure she’s
found. Hugs herself
in gleeful awe, at
being new
and alive
and aware of it all.
Elizabeth Crawford 4/5/11
Soul Cards: To view them, simply click on the image. They were created by Deborah Koff-Chapin, and she can be found here:
http://www.touchdrawing.com/
Please remember that The Soul Card images are available to be used as e-cards. You write the message.
Soul's Music 
Very sensuous. I love the internal rhymes.
Ah Viv, that means so much coming from you. Thanks, my friend,
Elizabeth
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Really like the way you sum this up – ‘Hugs herself in gleeful awe, at being new and alive and aware of it all.’
Thank you Andy, sometimes you just have to go with the reality of the moment. That ending was the easiest part.
Elizabeth
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Literally bursts with great sensual imagery. Brillirant.
Oh Ron, I wish you had said, “Full of Light,” or something less daunting than brilliant. That words scares the sh** out of me. Thank you, none the less,
Elizabeth
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Really powerful final sentence.
Thank you Stan, I rather liked it as well. Love it when it all falls in place,
Elizabeth
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Yes, the last stanza did it for me as well.
Glad to hear that Tilly Bud, and thanks for stopping by,
Elizabeth
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I love the title especially against the image of lines in an old woman’s face that hold stories. You did it again! This piece leaves me feeling good. Thank you, Elizabeth.
Confession, Brenda? I am reliving this journey, picking up the details I missed the first time around. And thank you for seeing what I saw,
Elizabeth
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So joyous, Elizabeth, you are walking with such a spring in your step these days!”New and alive and aware of it all.” Fantastic!!!!! I am enjoying bumbling along behind you, Ms MaGoo that I am, tripping over roots while I’m grinning at the sky!
Ahh Ms MaGoo, I beg to differ. You took the image to your own heart, let it speak to your soul, and found the very roots of your own journey. I am grinning right along with you, Sherry, and thanks so much for joining me,
Elizabeth
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Yes! Yes! Yes!
This piece speaks to me, deeply, loudly.
Not only is the story line familiar, but the cadence and diction both soothe and excite. Terrific work!
Thank you Kim, but I found its echo in your poem, and felt warmed by your imagery. Glad you liked it,
Elizabeth
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“Observes wrinkles in an old
woman’s face, yearns to trace
story they hold, of life fully
lived, both sorrows and joys.”
That is exactly how life is supposed to be, Elizabeth. Every wrinkle is a story in itself.
I love the sense of living in this piece. Well done.
Pamela
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This is simply amazing. The birth of a story or poem.
http://judyidliketosay.blogspot.com/2011/04/it-was-goofy.html
Thank you Judy, and glad you appreciate that particular aspect.
Elizabeth
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Elizabeth, this brought back memories of my pregnancy with Riley. That first moment, the quickening. I felt like the first woman ever in the world to have a baby and the euphoria truly made everything around me glow. Thank you for the smile.
Here’s my Big Five!
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/black-history-month/
Peace, Amy
Amy, I can totally relate with four of my own. This particular image has always taken me in two directions. The one here in this poem (inner quickening), and the one you describe. Thank you for sharing your memory,
Elizabeth
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Image and words work so well together. Very well done, to be sure. Thank you.
Sandy, thank you. I am enjoying this journey very much.
Elizabeth
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That last line? Hugs herself
in gleeful awe, at
being new
and alive
I know that feeling and you nailed it!
thank you!
Thank you Lunawitch, I’ve had that feeling several times, and each time it is new and amazing,
Elizabeth
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