For Day, I’ve written two poems for Paul Brookes’ Special January Ekphrastic Challenge.
I liked all three pieces of art, but I responding to Kerfe Roig’s “Clarity” and Christine O’Connor’s (CO13).
Kerfe Roig “Clarity” 
Christine O’Connor (CO13)
Clarity
Coming home from the ER, I felt
a sense of clarity amidst the exhaustion,
and in the over-awakened midnight hour, an owl hooted
over and over again
calling for love, not warning,
I decided. And for love, we returned to the hospital
as the sun rose over the bridge to light the shadowed city streets.
Unfinished
There are ghosts in the secret garden
drifting through the flowers’ birdwing-flutters,
she senses them, but they are masked, invisible
against the bright blooms, unfinished with this world,
outside of time, inside the walls, they wait.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Unfinished, in particular, is hauntingly mesmeric
Thank you very much, Derrick.
I thought so as well. I’ve been drawn to the notion of secret gardens since childhood.
Great minds…… Liz 🙂
😀
Thank you very much. It’s funny, but when I re-read it after your comments and Derrick’s, I saw the garden poem as being about my mom, even though that was not my intent when I wrote it.
You’re welcome, Merril. A companion piece to the first one?
Yes, I think so. I guess the subconscious knows. 😀
That’s how my subconscious works!
😀
Beautiful, Merril.
Thank you, Jill.
Two wonderful poems that fit the images. Love the Clarity image. Well done, Merril.
Thank you very much, Frank.
Those ghosts seem very near these days. (K)
So much going on! We move into the new house tomorrow. Fingers crossed everything goes well. I loved your poem, Merril. ❤
Oh! I don’t know which one I love more…
That second one, though… these ghosts feel so friendly… maybe because of the first poem, being so full of love.
Beautiful, Merril! ‘Unfinished’ gives me goosebumps … eerie and wonderfully penned!
Oh yes, my heart responds to both of these poems. In the first one I also much prefer thinking of an owl hooting in love not in warning. In love we watch those who we care about gasp for life but sink into death in peace. The second one sees the same ghosts in the garden that I do. 🙏
Thank you very much for that heart-felt comment, Pam!
That moment of clarity gave me a sharp little pain in my chest as I saw the Boston skyline at twilight when we left the hospital.
Thank you, Liz. Yes, it was Philadelphia here, but same idea.
You’re welcome, Merril.