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"Instead of going to heaven at last, I'm going all along."--Emily Dickinson
This morning I plodded in pajamas
and bare toes toting my full water pitcher,
prepared as an offering for my
hanging blue Fan plant. The tall
grass washed my feet as Jesus might.
I was met by a congregation
of glad-handed Hostas greeting
and touching me, choirs of Clematis
robed in purple, jovial Jonquils clad in yellow,
sun-facing Spiderworts, and sweet green Mint
mingled with spicy Oregano, breathing
their fragrances, glistening and glowing
in sunlight and dew.
They danced when they saw me;
asked no questions, made no judgments,
anointed me with dew, toweled my dusty
feet with warm sun, then sent me on
to do for another what they had done for me.
This poem won the 2014 Illinois State Poetry Society Competition in Free Verse and first appeared in the ISPS Newsletter (2014, Issue 6).
Used here with the author's permission.
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Michael Escoubas began writing poetry for publication in August of 2013, after retiring from a 48-year-career in the printing industry. He writes poetry because, early in life, his mother encouraged him. Michael also writes poetry because he believes poetry brings people together and that poets are menders of broken things. He is the author of six collections; the most recent is Ripples Into the Light, a collection partnered with photographs by Vandana Bajikar and designed to "rest the soul and calm the spirit." Michael is Senior Editor and Book Reviewer at Quill and Parchment, an online poetry journal. He lives in Illinois.
     
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Jo:
Michael,
This is one of my favorite poems. Here it is the end of the day, but what an ending to my day. Thank you for sharing this meaningful poem.
Posted 03/30/2016 09:24 PM
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jtmilford:
A great poem and ending. Thanks
Posted 03/30/2016 07:40 PM
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bettiebill:
Bill Escoubas:
Mike, this is one of my favorite poems. Well done, brother
Posted 03/30/2016 10:16 AM
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Jancan:
Extended personification at its best! I love the playful but moving tone and the appealing reference to Jesus and choirs, etc. I really LOVE this poem. People who think free verse is just fancy prose need to read your poem. Janice
Posted 03/30/2016 10:08 AM
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ElizabethP:
Absolutely wonderful.
Posted 03/30/2016 09:14 AM
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Larry Schug:
Good, good poem and good philosophy about poetry in your bio., Michael
Posted 03/30/2016 07:58 AM
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