QUAKER GATHERING FOR ALICE
It is simple.
In the center of the room is a table.
A candle is on the table.
A vase is on the table.
In the vase are yellow daffodils.
In the vase are white daffodils.
It is spring.
They burn yellow like yellow candles.
They burn white like white candles.
Sunlight shines through the windows.
The windows burn white.
The walls of the room are white.
We who are quietly gathered
quietly remember her.
We who are softly gathered
softly remember her.
She was simple.
For ninety-five years she was a candle.
For ninety-five years
the storms could not extinguish her.
For ninety-five years she was simple.
Now she is simpler still.
She is simpler than candles.
She is simpler than flowers.
She is simpler than years.
She is simpler than windows,
than sunlight through windows.
She is simple.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Nominated for the National Book Award, the Eric Hoffer Book Award, and nominated three times for the Pulitzer Prize, J.R. Solonche is the author of 40 books of poetry and coauthor of another. He lives in the Hudson Valley.
Image generated using AI Image Gen
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE…
Pebbles with opened bodies and 2 more visual poems by Laszlo Aranyi
Tanizaki Soup Song by Parker Galloway
IN THE AFTERMATH OF FINDING SEA HORSE FOSSILS by Shrutidhora P Mohor
While Walking by the Corner Store, I Overheard a Couple of Drug Dealers Talking About Drone Strikes and 2 more by Justin Karcher
The Poppy Runner and 1 more by Damon Hubbs
Leave a Reply