Poetry Friday posts are with Katie today at The Logonauts.
My Southern comrade, Keri Collins Lewis, sent me a gem of a poem this week. She knows where I live and how much I enjoy dancing with my husband. She captured this in a wonderful poem celebrating me. Keri, I cherish your words. Thank you, darlin’. (Say it with a Mississippi drawl.)
Last week I led a teachers writing institute. I invited our PF friend, Catherine Flynn, to present via Skype about visual literacy. She left us with a Marc Chagall painting to ponder. Since Keri wrote about “my love” and we are nearing our 35th wedding anniversary, I am inclined to share my response with you.
The Promenade
In a geometric village,
sculpted lawns, a steepled church,
houses on the hillside,
a man holds his bride’s hand.
His touch sends her floating
on the wind like a pink kite
dancing with the clouds.Your touch does this to me
even now, far from this village.
Over the landscape of life,
your soft gentle love
is enough to send
me flying, reaching
for the joy-sky.–Margaret Simon
Reflections on the Teche 
What a gorgeous response to the painting. I love it. I never used to “get” love poetry….but after 22 years of marriage…I think love is something it has taken me much longer to understand than I thought it would. There is love in the painting and there is love in your words.
And…..I LOVE the poetry swap poem. A work of art…..sigh
How lovely, that even after all these years, a simple touch can send your spirit soaring. 🙂
Keri sent you a gem! And what a lovely poem you wrote to celebrate your sweetheart–I love the line “Over the landscape of life…” That captures the essence of a long, loving marriage (we are nearing our 34th.)
Very special love poems, Margaret! I love how Keri included the dance in yours, and that painting from Catherine is its own love image, plus your “reaching for the joy-sky”.
Lovely poem, Margaret. Happy Anniversary!
What a lovely duo! And Happy Anniversary!!
Both of these poems are so full of love! And Keri is correct – You are a work of art!
Ooooh–romantic in a true, not-gooey way–especially “landscape of life.” I appreciate Keri’s line “Laughter floats on a lightning bug”–isn’t laughter a BIG part of long, loving relationships?
Your poem, Margaret, left me a bit teary, but in a good way! Lovely.
What a beautiful love poem, both of them actually, celebrating many ways we love.
Oh so beautiful. #love
Keri’s poem, your poem, the picture…perfection!
Lovely image and response poem, Margaret–airy and ethereal, and tender. Keri poem is a delight too, thanks for all!
Keri is exactly right: “Darling, you are a work of art.” And I love your poetic response to “The Promenade” with its “landscape of life” and “joy-cloud” of love. Happy Anniversary!
Margaret, how fabulous to read these poems tonight from you and Keri-and Catherine is in the mix too. Happy Anniversary. I am sure your husband must have been touched by your love poem, “over the landscape of life.”
I love Chagall. The woman he loved must have been part-helium, always laughing and lifting him up. Great poem.