The Lonely Widow

[mummsie]

THE LONELY WIDOW
Sue Pearce ©

The night descended slowly with a full moon in it's hand,
a surge of silver streamed across the land.
Another summer evening spent alone, without her man.
Idle fingers twist and turn her wedding band.

Many nights they sat in silence as the bush sounds softly played,
for they both enjoyed the chorus of the night.
Crickets chirping, swamp frogs calling and the haunting sound of owls,
often heard, but rarely venturing into sight.

She leaves behind the solace of a well worn rocking chair,
takes the path that twists and turns towards the stream.
There is something in the air that's pulling, pleading her to come
and she questions "is this real or just a dream?'

She is drawn back to the presence by a swooshing, close by sound
as the broad wings of a night owl power by.
She stands in awe and wonders at the freedom of it's life,
and she yearns to join him there, no more to cry.

She hears the windmill whirring, such a peaceful, pleasant sound.
She reflects on what has been and what has gone.
A voice from nowhere whispers "it's now time to set you free,
like a windmill ever-turning life goes on"

Her breath remains suspended as a strength within takes hold
and she stares as silver beams on water glow.
She feels the strength and power of a night owl in full flight
and the wind beneath her wings begins to blow.

A calmness overtakes her as she treads the path back home.
An inner peace within she's finally found.
She feels her loved one's guidance, feels his presence by her side.
As a night owl hovers by without a sound.

[Maureen K Clifford]

The aboriginal legend tells that Tumbi the owl is the son of the Wandjina or the cloud and rain spirit people and the Cherokee Indians believe owls to be the ghosts of the departed....so the owl really has validity and ties this poem together nicely in my eyes.

Did you know Sue in Australia we has a owl called a Powerful owl - since owls only hunt at night the reference to night owl jarred just a bit with me but that is purely nit picky I know but wondered if perhaps the use of powerful owl which is the correct terminology would add additional strength to this piece Some info here on them

http://birdsinbackyards.net/species/Ninox-strenua

Cheers

Maureen

[mummsie]

Thank you for that reference Maureen. I have always been fascinated with Owls, there's something mystical about them. Thanks for taking the time to read.

Cheers
Sue

[Heather]

Nice one Sue. I was pleased to see the windmill in there!

Heather

[manfredvijars]

I hope the owl doesn't fly into the windmill ...

(Great imaginary Sue - well done) ...

[Robyn]

I enjoyed it Sue... lovely images.
Robyn

[mummsie]

Thank you Heather, Manfred and Robyn for taking the time to read and post.
Finally got to use the windmill somewhere Heather. Mmmmm... mossy hollow next just stirring.

Cheers
Sue

[Zondrae]

G'day Sue,

Speaking for myself, and I'm sure others too, I try to read every poem that is posted. It takes courage to put your words out for all the world to take pot shots at. I feel that I owe all contributors to this site the respect of at least reading, even if not commented on, poems posted. Good on you for writing and posting. I'm not offering too much lately as I don't think I'm writing much that is any good. (but I'm still not able to judge - specially my own work) Then, it goes without saying, if I feel a poem might have some merit, I keep it in the bottom drawer to send into comps.

Now..... you have in the final stanza, "an inner peace within" this bothers me. Perhaps you could find another word for 'inner' maybe 'deeper' or maybe re write the whole line. In general I like the feel of the poem. I do love the night sky. You even have some froggies in there. .. and that opening line.. very well crafted and very poetic.

[mummsie]

Thank you Zondrae. I, too, try to read as many poems posted as possible, as I feel we can learn so much from other people's writing. I think the thing I'm most guilty of is not spending enough time on a particular piece I've written, so with that in mind I should probably polish my writing a little more. Thank you for your input. I do try to take on board the suggestions offered.

Hope your health is improving.

Cheers
Sue

[Neville Briggs]

to take pot shots at

Pot shots is not the name of the game Zondrae. speaking for myself I only make suggestions to help encourage or build up.


Good on you Sue. The first line is excellent, I think, and there's a lot of action sentences. Things doing things which I think makes any poem effective.