Lily watched them --him-- from behind her painting watched with dismay at the way he paused, longingly flushed with delight paused, just to watch her, but only when she wasn't looking heedless that he was being watched too why couldn't he do more? more than just watch? a learned man like him, quick with words-- what was he waiting for? yes, a man like him-- surely he could get her to smooth his hair and sit in silence like she does with the children but would she think it too pitiful for a man like him to want to do something like that? regardless, she is his wife; they have eight children... Lily saw him open a book; pretend to read but Lily could read him like a book knew what he was thinking of how her head was full-- every ounce of it--full, with thoughts for their children and that damn stocking she was knitting oh, how he longs for her hands to sit idle neatly wrapped on her lap, Lily thought but would he reach and claim her hands then? would he stare into her eyes then too, like they must have done before the children came? he must have imagined their life together, full of moments of contemplation. why then? why can't he talk to her about his disappointments? about the transitory events in the monotony of his workday? or to simply enjoy the pleasure of sitting in silence? and how? how does life come to be like this? *** © 2021 selmamartin.com
Photo: Image by StockSnap from Pixabay
A poem that asks questions is the optional prompt. Lovely. I like this.
I worked on questions that a fictional character in a book I like would
be contemplating. I bet you’ll know right away who this character is.
Please consider leaving me your thoughts on what I wrote. *wink*
Our prompt today (optional, as always), is to write a poem that poses a series of questions. The questions could be a mix of the serious (“What is the meaning of life?”) and humorous (“What’s the deal with cats knocking things off tables?”), the interruptive (“Could you repeat that?”) and the conversational (“Are those peanuts? Can I have some?”). You can choose to answer them – or just let the questions keep building up, creating a poem that asks the reader to come up with their own answer(s)
What fun this has been (hope you think so too) but, a promise is a promise– April
promises us 30 days every year. It has been fantastic for me (thank you, NaPoWriMo),
and I cannot wait to see what May has in store. Thanks for being here, and as always, I
wish you miracles. Always.
I’m a simple woman who dares to see the beauty in ordinary. I’d love to connect with you and like pen pals, I want something beautiful to blossom between us. Will you join me? Selma is my middle name. Its meaning—peaceful, complete, are euphoric affirmations I like to think of myself as having. They compliment the joy I feel when I write. I sincerely hope you decide to join me on my writing journey. I Wish You Miracles.
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This is such a heartwarming poem Selma. It could be part of a novel I’d love to read. Loved the narrative style.
It’s from a book that lingers in my mind: To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. A great read that grows on you. Took me a couple of tries to complete but after I did I started reading it once again. Brilliant!
Thanks for reading. I wish you miracles
Thank you Selma for letting me know. It sounds like a lovely book. I will definitely add it to my TBR. xxx
I don’t know which book this is from, but I like the idea that, as youngsters, we have an idea of what life has in store, and then it turns out to be so very different, with not a single moment to be idle, to spend with the ones we love. Unless that is, we make a conscious decision to spend that idle time with them. That’s been my experience, at least.
Thank you for the poetry!
Thanks for the comment, Dawn. Sweet of you to read.
As for the book, Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse — that’s where that came from. A wonderful read.
Thanks for the comment. I wish you miracles.
I need to read Virginia Woolf. I’ve known I need to for years. Why I still haven’t is still a mystery!
Miracles back to you!
Oh, indeed! It might be someone was influenced by Lily when choosing today’s prompt! 😉 Lovely imagery.
Glad you enjoyed the image I painted, Manja. I appreciate you coming to read about Lily — Virginia Woolf’s To The Lighthouse novel young character. Be well. I wish you miracles