“I am.”
“I am.”

But a different song buzzed in her ear,
its music insistent.

And after 50 summers, she still hears it.

Her vows flowered
and grew as lovely as the roses 
that cling to the cloister's walls.
   
She remembers each one 
as if taken yesterday,
and she still blushes
to feel the burning kiss,

her face pressed against the cold marble,
her feet tucked, and modest,
under the gray of her postulant’s smock.

Who is to say what was right?
Not the fields and coves of her Normandy.
They simply shrug.

- John Barrale

JB, I like.

It's a pick for me after more views.

Hello Lavonne:

Thanks much!!!

Best always,
John

Coming sort of late to this, but let me just say: this works very well. The image in the last stanza is perfect, also-- it could almost be the entire poem. 

I take issue with S2, though, on a few points: (a) 'buzzed' rattles unnecessarily (rather than humming, say?), (b) 'its music' is superfluous when referring back to 'song'. Just a thought.


Take care,

-O

I started to write about my favorite stanza, then each one stood in line, and I realized I like them all and the way they hang together.

Rick

Hello Oleksa:

Sorry to respond to your comments in such an untimely manner. I was on vacation (in Italy) and only returned last Tuesday.

I appreciate your comments. But here's my rationale - poor as it may be: I used "buzzed" because I wanted it to convey an annoying persistent thought that distracts such as when a fly or gnat buzzes in your ear. I used "music" to show that the annoying insistent buzzing of her call to a vocation was (at least for her) a pleasant thing though others may not have seen it (hence, the modifying "different").     

Best Always,
John

Hello Rick:

Thanks much. Your comment is very generous and very much appreciated. I apologize for not responding in a timely manner. As I mentioned above, I was away and only returned earlier this week.

Best Always,
John   

Wow.

This hits dead center for me.  Extraordinary.  How we are, and we do (with faith), then we are not -- and your end line sums up pretty much my entire philosophy on comings and goings and in betweens. 

regards, lynn

Hello Lynn:

Thank you for your kind words. I am happy that you enjoyed my poem. I spent some time in France during the late 1970's. The Gaelic shrug often really says it all. 

Best Always,
John

John,

This is quite wonderful.  Hits home for me in a very personal way.

Tiko

I went back a way for this poem. It deserves Front Page .

Congrats, John! I enjoy reading this. -Tom

Congrats, John.  Excellent pick El Vee.  Good to read this again.

Tiko

Hi Lavonne:

Thank you for picking my poem. I am deeply honored. This makes my day!!!

Best Always
John

I think I should cry. This has your voice stamped all over it.  Congratulations.

Sherry