Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Mariposa

I want to search your depths
and find veils
and smoke,
that will vanish at last in flame.
           --from Eve's Discourse, by Carilda Oliver Labra


Dormant
after first frost,
gypsy lips,
            volcanic
to your molten touch, erupt--

ignite the slumbering zest,
exotic scent,
hidden in white ginger flame,

burns us up
and leaves
            to ash
the petal nest
of our broken names.


We'll sleep like murderers
who've saved themselves
by bonding together in incomparable blossoming.
            --from Eve's Discourse, by Carilda Oliver Labra


© 2015 Jennifer Wagner

For the Sunday Mini-challenge at Imaginary Garden with Real Toads. Grace offered us the work of Cuban poet Carilda Oliver Labra for inspiration.

Mariposa is the national flower of Cuba (white ginger lily, “butterfly”).

21 comments:

Brian Miller said...

those last 2 lines....

the petal nest
of our broken names.

dang.

brudberg said...

Ah exactly those lines that Brain says for sure made me gasp... Better than the inspired poem IMHO

Grace said...

Gypsy lips, volcanic and that ending the petal nest of our broken names -
Wow!

Thanks for participating Jennifer and wishing you happy weekend ~

colleen said...

That is hot!

Gillena Cox said...

interesting use of collaborative verses; Thanks for dropping in to read mine

much love

Wolfsrosebud said...

i'm torn between sadness and hope

Outlawyer said...

The petal nest of our broken names is a lovely combination of beginnings and disruptions--very cool. Thanks! K. (Manicddaily)

Anonymous said...

This poem takes the torch from Labra and runs with it in a way that is both faithful to the heart while wholly unique in the expression. A conflagration within a small, tidy space that is angelic in its smoke. A "white ginger flame" is both hot and aromatic -- touch of Eros, indeed. Very fine work.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, Jennifer.

hedgewitch said...

I love the senses you write to hear, the smells and delicate orderings that are the light we read each other by, and the passions that both burn and give light in turn. Your quotes from Labra bookend the poem perfectly.

hedgewitch said...

'here' not hear--sorry.

Ella said...

You had me at gypsy lips and the ending-ka-pow~

Love yours
@>----------------

Kerry O'Connor said...

Wow! This is exquisite. The final stanza blew me away!

Margaret said...

bookend quotes with a poem that is powerful! Love it.

Kerridwen said...

Wooooh, I love this poem, it just sounds so great!

Laura said...

"burns us up
and leaves
to ash
the petal nest
of our broken names."…. gorgeous!

Susie Clevenger said...

I seem to be in agreement with the others about my favorite lines. This is simply beautiful!

janetld said...

I agree as well about the favorite lines. Wow, a lot of zing in your poem.

Wendy Bourke said...

Wonderful writing! You've captured the passionate contrasts of the original piece in this, Jennifer.

Audrey Howitt aka Divalounger said...

Just gorgeous Jennifer!

grapeling said...

every match leaves ashes, doesn't it? stellar ~