Wisteria

©  Kim Nelson

She grows in the infertile ground of dysfunction,
a caged canary singing of freedom she doesn’t possess.

Her beauty blossoms among thorns of jealousy
scratching their bitter poison into listening ears.

Wisteria’s spirit is not pruned by discord.
It spirals upward from a kind heart in expressions of joy.

She is an optimist seeing beyond the bleak walls
of her environment into the blue skies of her escape.



©Susie Clevenger 2013
 At Real Toads Kim Nelson has generously offered
her beautiful paintings as inspiration for our writing.
If you would like to see more of her work, you can 
find it at her etsy shop, Kim Nelson Creations

The Sunday Challenge ~ Featuring Kim Nelson

 Also shared with dVerse Poets Pub's theme, "growing up."

 Poetics ~ 'Growing Up'

Comments

Mary said…
I like the way you gave Wisteria a story, how she rose from dysfunction to success with her optimistic outlook.
January 13, 2013 at 1:15 PM
Laurie Kolp said…
Wisteria... how very brilliant, Susie.
January 13, 2013 at 2:11 PM
hedgewitch said…
I love 'the blue skies of her escape.' Wisteria is a surprisingly tough plant under the delicate grape-cluster blooms, too.
January 13, 2013 at 2:51 PM
Brian Miller said…
i am glad she is able to make it out...or has that hope...reminds me a bit of the kids i used to counsel...growing up in a tough environment....its good to see when they do make it...smiels.
January 13, 2013 at 3:17 PM
Helen said…
Climbing wisteria (with good support) is so strong .. and beautiful. I foresee good things in her future. I enjoyed this.
January 13, 2013 at 3:42 PM
Ginny Brannan said…
To have beauty emerge out of infertility and dysfunction takes strong roots and determined vision indeed. Nice capture, Susie.
January 13, 2013 at 3:47 PM
Anonymous said…
very nice, i really like the sound in S2, the interplay of o,l and s.
January 13, 2013 at 4:01 PM
Anonymous said…
great poem Susie, and a sad one. Not a pleasant feeling for a child to be so trapped, so surrounded by dysfunction...but in this, (her optimism) there is always hope, and there IS, always hope.
January 13, 2013 at 4:59 PM
Ellecee said…
I like "Wisteria’s spirit is not pruned by discord." It would be wonderful if some of us were not "pruned" also. You've created a poignant image here.
January 13, 2013 at 5:30 PM
Semaphore said…
An amazing naturalistic poem, and also a subtle metaphor for growth amidst adversity, of the triumph over circumstance.
January 13, 2013 at 5:35 PM
Unknown said…
"Infertile ground of dysfunction" - Brilliant line there. Loved this poem. It's like a new spin on what I expect with personification :)
January 13, 2013 at 6:05 PM
ScottlB said…
Seeing beyond the bleak walls to a better life sounds good.
January 13, 2013 at 7:27 PM
Sherry Blue Sky said…
I love your unique take on the painting - the "infertile ground of dysfunction" - so accurate - love her buoyant spirit, which ignores all the naysayers and keeps pointed upwards.
January 13, 2013 at 7:29 PM
Unknown said…
Wisteria and I... and perhaps you, too... have a lot in common. Well wrought, Susie!
January 13, 2013 at 9:58 PM
Claudia said…
It spirals upward from a kind heart in expressions of joy....love the personification... i have one in my garden that joyfully grows and grows, covering our first floor balcony with her beauty..
January 13, 2013 at 11:08 PM
Jennifer Wagner said…
'a caged canary singing of freedom she doesn’t possess'...oh that one struck a note. A wonderful write...a perfect pairing. Beautifully done!
January 14, 2013 at 2:33 AM
James Rainsford said…
Evocative and deeply moving Susie. I love this line: "Wisteria’s spirit is not pruned by discord."
Simply magical.
January 14, 2013 at 5:06 AM
Tashtoo said…
Susie...you've penned a poem as expressive and compelling as the fantastic painting. Too many favorites in this one to mention without just copying and pasting the entire poem back to you...fantastic writing...loving the strength and voice of your work...go Poet!
January 14, 2013 at 7:53 AM
Ella said…
Wow, I love your poem and how you offered rooted hope ;D
Gorgeous~
January 14, 2013 at 7:54 AM
Kerry O'Connor said…
How wonderful to read of a positive spirit which thrives despite life's setbacks.
January 14, 2013 at 8:16 AM
Anonymous said…
This is the essence of poetry right here; seeing things differently. This is a really good response to the various prompts - but it's one that would have completely evaded me!
January 14, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Hannah said…
Poignant characterization of this work, Susie!!

I love this:

"Wisteria’s spirit is not pruned by discord.
It spirals upward from a kind heart in expressions of joy."

Gorgeous!
January 14, 2013 at 12:44 PM
Susie Swanson said…
I love this so much.. You are definitely a gifted poet in every way.. I love your poems.
January 14, 2013 at 6:40 PM
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