For the penultimate day of the challenge:
Inspired by AWD, “Oxygen”
Oxygen
From the dark, soupy universe
light emerged, the afterglow of explosion
blue-shifted here
to our primeval oceans
where microbes gobbled oxygen
and cyanobacteria sent some into the air
through photosynthesis,
generating life.
And from there, flowers bloomed,
and then came fruit,
and us, and love, and art—
microscopic particles recycled, torn apart
in the process of (re)creating space and hearts.
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.
You touched my creation heart with this one!
Thank you, Frank. 😊
This is so like my feelings for Anjum’s painting. Like an explosion. I like your soft settling of the particles into flowers and beauty. The best way to let it end, a note of hope.
Thank you. 💙 Yes, it was like an explosion, but beautiful, too–and that cosmic journey is incredible. 😊
They are paintings that take us a long way.
Yes, I agree.
It’s an amazing process, life. (K)
So it is.
I love this! I’ve never seen the miracle of life expressed in quite this way before. In particular, I love the shift from stanza two into stanza three.
Thank you so very much, Liz! 💙
You’re most welcome, Merril!
I love the mix of science and art. There is such poetry in the big bang.
Thank you very much. I agree.
Beautiful, Merril: a full turn of the circle!
Thank you so much, Ingrid!
Science in your art, Merril
Yes, thank you, Derrick.
So amazingly beautiful!
Thank you very much, Rene!
You’re welcome 🦋
You have a way with words, and your words have recreated the beginning of our universe, and the creation of love and art.
Thank you!
Thank you very much, Resa!