Ashes and Snow
Submerged into an African river
An elephant’s magnitude rested
In silent pools of sepia pigment
Drawing so close to innocence
To the loving embrace of a child
Clothed in her baptismal gown
Wading through living waters
To prayerfully encounter God
Touching the elephant’s face
Pressing gently into his head
Gold reflections rippling over
Brown tones igniting shadows
She leans into the grey pillar
Strength and grace caressing
To place her hand on thunder
To know the calm of majesty
To be one with all of creation
©Kathy Paysen 2009
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A Wonderful Picture
This is excellent Kathy! I can see the picture in my mind, faded sepia toned, ragged edges. A beautiful memory and story in one. Your writing here is graceful and powerful.
~Sepia Pool of Grace~
Jill,
This poem was inspired by a picture with the same title, "Ashes and Snow", from the Gregory Colbert Project 2009. This picture is a rare portrait of the interaction of a young girl and an elephant. It is a breathtaking scene.
I noted that you were a photographer. May I sneak a peak of your art online? I am hoping to meet Ken Duncan of Australia at the Crystal Cathedral in a few weeks. I love his panoramic scenes. Photography is an art that I really admire.
Thank you very much for being such a good writing buddy to me. I have been going through the unemployment blues and your sweet thoughts and writes have been a joy.
Warm regards,
Kathy
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing Kathy! I will have to look up the photograph Ashes and Snow. I am a photographer, mostly portraits and weddings. I have a small collection of my photos online at flickr, here is the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/pendleyphotography/. I admire Ken Duncan as well, his scenics and landscapes are breathtaking. It would be so interesting to meet him and view some of his work. Thanks also for your comments and kind words.
Jill
Wow
what a story to write, the image you create here is perfect Kathy-a solid gold poem! :D ♥
~Awesome Sight~
Jewel,
I struck gold when I landed on the Poetry Showcase site. Thank you for your generous comments.
This poem sums up my feelings for who I want to be, connected with everything around me. Being a poet gives us an opportunity to maximize our senses and report our feelings.
In the shelter of other poets eyes we see the image reflected.
Warm regards dear one,
Kathy
xo
nice one
u always complement me u are even better. how old r u ?
From Darkness to Darkness
~Ryusuke~
Sometimes wisdom comes to youth and sometimes its waits a long time. Dearest new friend, I am the later. But the challenge is not in our years, it is in what we do with them. Some people get moments, some people get much, much more. You have a gift and I impress upon you to continue to use it. I believe you are a poet that can make a difference. Stay humble, stay focused, and keep writing. There is hope where there is a flame that flickers.
Sincerely,
Kathy
Your latest poem
Really like this, Kathy. Well done indeed!
~To Catch the Spirit~
Thank you Sharon. This is one of those poems that changed me as I wrote it. I love the vision of humanity connecting with all of nature on a spiritual level. I have a sense that we are all connected by the same breath, the same sun, the same night sky, the same God.
Warm regards,
Kathy