Girl With a Blue Vase

Neville

Girl With a Blue Vase

 

Now, on looking back,

I remember

clearly, how she used

to carry water

from the courtyard,

to her mother’s house

and then back again ..

More than two miles

each way

and every day, in that

tall, salt glazed,

lapis blue, earthenware

pitcher of hers ..

The same one that she

carried home

from the market during

the infamous drought

of twenty sixteen  ..

I also recall, how she

carried it high,

and so finely balanced

upon the pale shelf,

of her naked left shoulder ..

And of how

the sunlight then caught

and played

directly upon the silver

buckles of her

worn leather sandals ..

Indeed those

she would only ever wear

when weaving

her way home through

the scorching

red sand and occasional

contrasting

patches, of respite cool,

crisp, fallen leaves ..

She might find on her

way back again ..

Yes those, which were

once maybe,

old windblown robins

nests stolen ..

From off the branches

of long deceased trees ..

But of course,

they felt, so much kinder

to the feet

of lone travellers than that

way back then ..

Yet were still perfectly

mismatched

and as much out of place

as the girl

with her old blue vase

did sometimes seem ..

And though sad,

I confess, I now see her

far less and then only her

silhouette ..

But hear this, I know

and only too well ..

There is an old blue vase

and a young girl,

still out there somewhere

just waiting to be found ..

 

 

 

 

  • Author: Neville (Offline Offline)
  • Published: April 26th, 2023 09:50
  • Comment from author about the poem: am feeling a bit lag jetted so may need to tweak this one sometime ..
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 12
  • Users favorite of this poem: Accidental Poet, Bobby O, L. B. Mek
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Comments +

Comments9

  • Accidental Poet

    A very clear and vivid memory you have N. Welcome back from your little getaway..

    • Neville



      Bless both you and your nib kind sir .. so very muchly appreciated 🙂

    • orchidee

      Good write N. I was carrying a blue vase, but I tripped over Fido and it smashed!
      How much of my waffle can ya believe? lol

    • orchidee

      Good write N. I was carrying a blue vase, but I tripped over Fido and it smashed!
      How much of my waffle can ya believe? lol

      • Neville



        I got ya first time .. no need to repeat yourself .. I'm not quite totally blind just yet Mr. O 🐭🐧

      • MendedFences27

        Seems more like a memory of the girl and not the vase, but that may be intentional. Somehow, I think, there is a connection between unavailability of water and the same of the girl. Someone from a memory now fading to "silhouette."
        Not long forgotten nor fresh and alive either. A poem that is recollection mixed with desire? Or a long-ago memory slowly being lost to time? Thoroughly enjoyable. - Phil A

        • Neville



          I still think you can see write through me Phil .. please see my response to Doggerel Dave for further enlightenment .. and thank you kindly too sir 🙂

        • Doggerel Dave

          A vivid mental picture is evoked by your words, Neville. Rich in detail, the background would imply Africa – correct?
          Now curious, I gave Prof Google a spin. Keywords ‘drought 2016’ yielded many claims, with Africa well down the list.
          Reentry ‘drought 2016 africa’… apparently large swathes of Africa have and are suffering long term drought, although 2016 was particularly severe…
          Great painting there. Word strokes more than do the job.

          • Neville


            A mighty big thank you Dave .. yes you are correct, it was Africa and her name was Praya .. we shared just over six months together .. she was the very blond (aren't they always) daughter of Dutch missionaries .. Her parents were both dead and she used to help out at the psychiatric hospital I volunteered at called Tanka Tanka .. feel free to Google .. Cheers again, Neville 🐧

          • Goldfinch60

            Wonderful words Neville and so very true in too many instances on our world.

            Andy

            • Neville



              thank you kindly Dave .. just more memories laid down for posterity ..

              • Doggerel Dave

                'bit tired still Nev? - want to thank Andy? Delete this anytime.

                • Neville



                  Oops 🐧😎

                • Bobby O

                  Sunlight caught, played, the silver buckles, descriptive style stays within the story never gratuitous and I’m certain the amount of punctuating phrase that describe is certain to be guilty in most hands of extra and muddied nut never in how you write. I hope to be that accomplished one day. Many props.

                  • Neville



                    You are, my fine new literary friend far too kind sir .. Thank you so very much for your visit here today and the encouraging notes you so generously left behind .. Neville

                    • Bobby O

                      Still, I request you review a specific piece if possible. It speaks about how I think Jazz and hip hop are the same. Titled
                      Thelonius Reborn As the Dee Oh Double G.
                      Many thanks in advance ????

                      • Neville



                        I don't usually do requests but consider it done sir 🙂

                        • Bobby O

                          I won’t use that request stuff to bother again. I’m good now and again, many thanks.

                        • L. B. Mek

                          who needs, immersion software
                          when poetry can offer
                          such vivid tangibility, in but a few
                          choice lines:
                          'the scorching
                          red sand and occasional
                          contrasting
                          patches, of respite cool,
                          crisp, fallen leaves ..
                          She might find on her
                          way back again ..'
                          the Poet supreme, is back
                          with a resounding, bang
                          Brilliant!
                          (I read and learn, Hyung)
                          thank you

                          • Neville


                            I am not sure whether its a flush, or a blush, or some kind of head rush that envelopes me head brother Mek when I notice you have paid a visit .. Whatever the case, I shall let my daughter continue to think I have some kind of allergy .. Oh' yes, tis good to be back, thank you n truly 🙂

                            • L. B. Mek

                              lol

                            • Caring dove

                              Lovely writing .. this story is told in such a nice way .. flows with ease . And great way to end the poem ..

                              Liked the read ..

                              • Neville


                                I am truly honoured that you dug this one up my friend .. thank you so much Violet ..



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