Inspired by all three works of art by artists Gaynor Kane, John Phandal Law, and Anjum Wasim Dar.
Butterflies and Crows
In the time of before
when color emerged from grey,
and butterflies swayed, seeing
blue, green, red, and yellow,
when storms erupted, and branches grew
and everything had a counterpart
in nature’s art of fractals, circles, and stars–
the sun and moon, the night and day
kept earth balanced, though
a small-winged tipped could cause a shift,
but mostly that was righted.
Now ice drips, and winds drift
in wayward tempest gales,
the trees are split, their roots cry out
and mycelium networks ache as they transmit
arboreal dying sounds.
You dream of the past, you dream of now
and in your dreams, you understand
that crows carry wisdom’s key—they warn
with caws–
even if nobody listens.
I am once again participating in Paul Brookes’ April Ekphrastic Challenge. Each day, I will post my poem(s) here. You can see the art and read the other responses by going to Paul’s site here.
The artists are Gaynor Kane, John Phandal Law, and Anjum Wasim Dar. Thank you for your wonderful and inspiring art!
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Reblogged this on The Wombwell Rainbow.
Thank you, Paul.
Once again an excellent blending of the art in your words. Crow is a powerful symbol, one which we ignore at our peril. (K)
Thank you so much. Crow really is.
I read this on Paul’s post and immediately recognised it as yours. The natural wisdom that we ignore holds the key. Probably why we’re heading straight down the pan…
I hope that’s a good thing about recognizing it. 😏 I recognize yours most of the time, too–of course.
Yes, sadly, I think you’re right.
It is a good thing. It means you have a hallmark 🙂
It’s a shame we’re not more like crows.
Beautiful, Merril! I especially love ‘mycelium networks ache’ – wow!
Thank you so much, Ingrid.
I’m so fascinated by mycelium networks. 😅
This poem reminds me of poor Cassandra. It should strike fear in the heart of everyone who reads it.
Thank you! I’m wowed that you felt all this.
And so weird, I’m reading a novel, Daughters of Sparta right now. Kasandra (it uses Greek spelling) is in it, but she hasn’t really made any predictions.
You’re welcome! That is a coincidence that you’re reading Daughters of Sparta currently.
Things like that seem to happen to me all the time. 😊
Oh yes. Of course you had to end with the crow – and the wisdom too oft ignored.
Thank you! Yes, you know how I love crows. 😀
I do! Only appropriate you end with one 🙂
😀
I went over and liked… the art is fab.
I see your inspiration.
Nonetheless, before I went I read this a couple of times.
It felt like an Aboriginal… First nations painting.
Thank you!
That’s interesting. I suppose because of the dreams and time, as well as the crows.
Yes, especially the crows.
I love crows. 😊
Me too!
💙
My word – this has such far seeing depth from before to will there be an after
Thank you so much, Derrick!