My Aunt the Poet

Thanks for reading this thread.

My 70 year old aunt is currently fighting for her life in a local hospital. Any prayers or good vibes (I'm religious, but she's not) you could offer on her behalf would be very appreciated.
She's had a hard life.

About 20 years ago, she was very active in the local poetry scene She wrote and self-published a lovely little leather bound book of verses which have served as my connection to her since I am not allowed to visit (my vaxx status). Her poems are sad but show a depth of feeling that, in my opinion, makes poetry worth reading.
I'd like to share a couple of her poems with you--the first and the last of her volume.

Finally, I urge you not to wait. Say what you want to say now, follow those dreams, book those tickets, learn that skill, and enjoy life and all those you've been blessed with

Pieta

Got to see it when I was half his age
masterpiece of a twenty-four year old Michelangelo
Twenty-four when he conceived and
carved it out of cold Carrara marble.

Lines were long at that World's Fair
Other cultures on display
though only superficially
Sexier , high-techier exhibits

But lines were constantly long for the Pieta
on loan from the Vatican
Is that what drew me
for the second or third time
from Futurama?

Futurama it has cars of tomorrow and vision phones
But no real need for ET to call home
No we had it all and
it was only going to get better

And now many years later I see
that of all the optimistic, futuristic visions of a future
only he got it right
In all the presents and all the pasts
the only thing that really lasts
is that a mother translucent transparent
within the marble
will always be asked to clasp a
dying child to her empty breast

In Kosovo Rwanda Bosnia Northern Ireland Palestine
I can see her now she's right down the road
anguished grief-stricken
blind to anything but her own pain

Of all the predictions that I heard or saw
at that upbeat, early sixties World's Fair
Michelangelo was the only seer that got it right
Mothers loved ones screaming into a night
of hatred prejudice war games
righteousness of those on top
rage of them at the bottom
and subsequent death

Pieta! Sorrow of the soul
sorrow of the all too human soul
Scales vary I know I know
but there will always be one individual Pieta
View the Pieta in all its beauty
all its horror
not yesterday not tomorrow
It is now

-Jeanne A
(this was written in the wake of a local but infamous tragedy--Columbine)


Solstice Blues

Listen
Something's leaving
Quiet
Sneaking away
Is it man or beast?
Thought or hope?
Tin or paper?
It goes.

The sky was inhabited this evening
by shades of mauve and gray.
Majestic and meaningful.
But something or someone had left.
And the sky was left lonesome
Lonesome listening lost one
Silence - sole reply.

Things go all the time now,
people and places change so fast
You get more in a lifetime that way, true
But then
Something or someone's always
Slipping out of sight
Slipping away.

Face the fadeout
Accept the change
It's good for you
Things have to change to grow
Just - listen
As the old things go.

a reply to: zosimov

Thanks for posting these, I enjoyed reading them both.

I've stood in front of the Pieta when I was 13, the perfect details in the sculpture took my breath away! I can understand why she felt inspired to use it in her poetry

a reply to: zosimov

All my prayers and hopes are with your aunt Jeanne and loved ones.

Those poems are beautiful and moving. I've seen La Pietà several times and you really get lost in the sculpture. Every time a new details manifests itself and it truly does convey a unique emotion. Your aunt really understands that emotion and conveyed it magnificently into words.

All my best and please convey my sincerest compliments for her poetry and that I wish her a speedy recovery... I feel her work is not yet finished. Her current malady will probably spark a new poem, that she must promise to write and share here!

Take care,
Enzo

a reply to: KindraLabelle2

You and my aunt were just about the same age when seeing that piece.
I'm sure it's quite the marvel to see, and now I might finally have a reason to visit the Vatican

I'm glad you enjoyed the poems. Thank you for reading.

a reply to: Encia22

Thank you dearly, Enzo. Your comment about yet-to-be-finished work is really touching and also gives me some cheer. I'll convey your words if I can.

a reply to: zosimov

Your very welcome.

I know the angst of great poets. My wife is a published poet, but none has rubbed off on me... I appreciate it, but can't write it.

My wife's best work has always been rooted in pain, hardships, treason and injustices. Very few of her poems are about happiness... even the one dedicated to me has a melancholic undertone; thank God it was at a time she was happy.

That's why I believe your aunt needs to keep writing. It's the only way to comunicate her innermost emotions, that stifle and are impossible for some people to explain verbally.

a reply to: Encia22

Poems speak to that shared human experience better than most other mediums, imo.
Very few of my favorite poems are happy ones, now that I think about it.

(that sentiment applies to most art forms too ) I guess I like to process that part through art.

a reply to: zosimov

Absolutely, my sentiment exactly.

Just a short post to say I enjoyed your Aunt's poetry.

I'm sending good vibes and prayers for your Aunt Jeanne.


Johnny

a reply to: JohnnyAnonymous

Thank you for the much appreciated post and sentiments.

Update for my friends here who sent out the prayers and good vibes: things are looking a bit better! Aunt Jeanne seems to be past the fighting for her life stage and is slowly recovering and ready to kill that cancer.

Thank you everyone. Your comments and good vibes meant more than you could know.

a reply to: zosimov

That's Great News!! Extra prayers still incoming.

Thanks for the update, zosimov.

Take care,
Enzo

a reply to: zosimov

That is really good to hear!
She's been in my thoughts

Please let her know how much me and others enjoyed her poetry, I hope it will put a smile on her face!

a reply to: zosimov

I am glad to read about recovering. Sending positive energy