Monday 31 March 2014

beautiful woman


there was a placid elegance 
to the manner in which 
she draped her aged,
delicate, long fingers – still and calm – 
upon, the trouser folds arrayed 
atop her knee

and crackled a soft chuckle,  
and replied
the words, “in theory” 
when I asked, if things were going better –

for she’d had a bout of misery:  
bad luck, bad health as bad . . . 
about as tough as hard, hard days of living 
–  dismally – can be: 
for old ladies – alone and poor.

“It’s all good”, she smiled:  bright,  
kind – warmly, tenderly . . .

as she struggled to her feet  
and took her cane

– her bowed back, an arc:  
a hunched, stooped arc, 
of mean, relentless weary pain –

and gushed: “Just wonderful ! ! !  
to come . . . upon you, once again.” 

photo:  Old Building: Hanging In, Cheerily - W. Bourke

© 2014 Wendy Bourke  

23 comments:

  1. hopefully that little connection made it all right...
    i have a feeling she is fooling only herself
    and if so i hope that one day she sees that...
    and lives beyond it...

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  2. Well, I think at least she tries to maintain a spirit of optimism. I really cannot fault her for that. It is better than the alternative, I think!

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  3. Thanks Brian and Mary. I think that spirit of optimism is the quality that makes her a beautiful woman. Smiles.

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    1. And, yes - optimism. But, also - DIGNITY - exiting (with age and illness and on and on) with DIGNITY. I think (through out life - until the end, if one can hold onto at least a bit of dignity and, perhaps a wee bit of humor) that is a good way to leave the stage.)

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  4. Wow Wendy ...she does carry herself elegantly....I like her self-esteem and positive attitude..an inspiring profile...

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    1. And also, self-esteem and positive attitude. Thanks, Sumana.

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  6. for she’d had a bout of misery: - This is very moving and quite heart breaking. Makes you think of value and hope, within pain.

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  9. This is packed full of imagery, such a beautiful depiction.

    http://laurieandher20somethingpoetry.wordpress.com

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  10. So vivid... I feel for her...

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  11. Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Lauren and Laurie.

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  12. I like all the details in this, such as the trouser folds. I feel like I'm there. Yes, I'd call her a beautiful woman.

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  13. I've met her . . . many times . . . over many, many years. Thanks, Janet.

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  14. My mother was one of those "beautiful women". I hope I can be so beautiful then.

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  15. There is beauty in such strength. Lovely telling Wendy.

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  16. Having to connect is a good thing. At least there is an effort little it might be. It may work wonders later on! Nicely Wendy!

    Hank

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  17. Yes I have seen this so many times. how, despite pains, there is always a cheerful smile.. and maybe it is in a relative manner... I hope you shone the light into her day so she could go on and not settle into misery,

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  18. Thanks so much, Jennifer, Hank and Bjorn!

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