Moonflower ~ for Leslie


Moonflower,
pale trumpet
blooming in the night…

light from your window
begs the stars to send
the sandman to comfort you.

I watch,
praying the panes will go dark.
Sleep is your escape.


©Susie Clevenger 2012
The Wednesday Challenge

This is for my friend Leslie. We were neighbors in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and she grieved the death of her parents so much that it affected her mental and physical health. She was plagued with insomnia. Leslie died in 2004 from complications after gastric by-pass surgery. She wanted to lose weight because she and her husband planned to go on a cruise with my husband and I. For so long I felt guilt for what happened; struggled with feeling that she would have been fine if I hadn’t moved, if I hadn’t told her about the cruise….too many “what ifs” plagued me for a long time.

Kerry at Real Toads introduced us to the poet, Ingrid Jonker, and challenged us to write a poem about a personal relationship as Ingrid did in her poetry.


Comments

Kerry O'Connor said…
Comparing a woman to a moonflower is quite brilliant. It says so much about her beauty, loneliness, and melancholy. This is a tender tribute to someone who meant a lot to you, and surely no one can be responsible for someone else's unfortunate death - that's just life.
November 29, 2012 at 9:30 AM
hedgewitch said…
This is a delicate and gentle poem, and the relationship aspect is fraught and yet also glowing with love. I understand how you could feel guilt, but that choice your friend made came from her own devils, not your love for her. This was a haunting poem Susie.
November 29, 2012 at 9:52 AM
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Susie, how sad and poignant. I can see you, her friend, looking across at her lighted windows, wishing her rest and peace. Now she is probably looking at yours, wishing the same for you. I love "Moonflower, pale trumpet blooming in the night....."
November 29, 2012 at 9:59 AM
Margaret said…
If she was having that surgery done, she was quite heavy. From afar, I see it in a different light. She wanted to live, change her life, this surgery could have (and often is) a life saving operation. Being that heavy, I'm sure she had many health issues. I'm sure your friendship, even from afar, leant her strength.
November 29, 2012 at 12:36 PM
Len Williams~ Carver said…
The emotion this invokes is so poignant and I am so sorry you felt guilt my friend.We are never responsible for what others do or how life events affect them. This is a beautiful beautiful tribute to your friend I believe the words a gentle touch from her letting you know how you felt and that it wasn't anything you said or did. Love and hugs ((xx))
November 29, 2012 at 12:59 PM
Janine Bollée said…
The saddest thing here is the 'for so long', which was too long.
November 29, 2012 at 4:55 PM
Manicddaily said…
Praying the panes will go dark - wonderful sound and layers here - a lovely poem. k.
November 30, 2012 at 6:49 AM
Rinkly Rimes said…
I hope that writing this poem and account has absolved you of guilt.
November 30, 2012 at 2:25 PM
Helen said…
This was hard to read knowing the story .. you have paid tribute to Susan with your poetry.
November 30, 2012 at 8:01 PM
Susan said…
Gosh! A poem of sad understanding, and how it speaks to me!
November 30, 2012 at 10:48 PM
Hannah said…
Oh!! Susie...this is heartbreaking and I your guilt is so much like what I carry...I'm always playing what-if...it's tiring.

She would have felt the love in this piece and I know that in her life you were a light...don't take to much of it on...you're such a kind compassionate soul so it's natural for you to. ♥'s to you, Susie.
December 1, 2012 at 11:18 AM
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