Friday, November 22, 2024

Poem for a Loved One's Return

 Hello and Happy Poetry Friday! Be sure to visit Ruth at There is no such thing as a godforsaken town for Roundup.

It's an especially happy Poetry Friday because I'm at NCTE! Yay! More on that later. For now, I offer you a new ArtSpeak: FOLK ART poem. This one is inspired by a piece by 20th Century Florida folk artist Earl Cunningham, whose work can be seen at the Smithsonian.  It took me a while to find my poem. Thanks so much for reading.


Sunset Point

When you returned
I was like a harbor welcoming a fleet of ships
each one flying crisp blue sails against marmalade sky and melting-butter sun
A whole ocean of boats and sails and fisherfolk hauling in their nets and a thousand birds crying you're home

- Irene Latham

7 comments:

  1. Oh that marmalade sky! Looking forward to seeing you today at some point!

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  2. That's lovely...I'm partial to melting-butter sun. I have a thing for the sun.

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  3. Irene, such a welcome home. Your poem, inspired by Earl Cunningham's painting is an ekhprastic poem with real presence. A fine balance of words descriptive and inviting. Enjoy NCTE.

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  4. A melting-butter sun...swoon! Have fun at NCTE.

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  5. I love the simile and the whole-hearted celebration of each gorgeous detail and the final culmination of "you're home!" Wonderful!

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  6. Marmalade sky and melting-butter sun - wow! Wishing you the best at NCTE. It's always such a fun place to see old and new friends.

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  7. The current of emotion is this one is far deeper than your average harbor. The longing laps at the shore.

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Your thoughts?