Grafted to my oak stem,
your pink camellia
fingers twined
so sweetly
that we formed
new growth.
More mother
than wife,
more you
than me,
more scented of
your flower-breath
than of my own
bitter leaves.
I was me plus you,
a new color,
a new species,
yet common,
on this green
earth.
Like one cornflower
in a field of flowers.
Copyright 2021 Brenda Davis Harsham
Notes: Thanks to Margaret Simon for inspiring another poem. Her photo made me remember holding my daughter, a new being who had been part of me, yet was entirely her own person. Motherhood changed me forever, and I don’t regret a day of it.
Writing Tip: Emily Dickinson’s poem, Tell all the truth but tell it slant, gives away a writer’s tradecraft. When I tell something slant, I may take a close personal perspective and make it broad, or visa versa. Perhaps I turn the object of my writing into something else through metaphor, symbolism, or themes. Tell it slant.
Tell all the truth but tell it slant — (1263)
— Emily Dickinson
Tell all the truth but tell it slant —
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind —
13 thoughts on “On camellias abloom in oak trees”
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Friendly Fairy Tales 
🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
WONDERFULLY DONE…ABOUT AN EPIPHYTE.
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🙂
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YOWZA!
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A lovely and tender poem, Brenda, and Margaret Simon’s photo is equally as tender and moving.
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Yes, she has a great eye for poetic opportunities.
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Beautiful poem, Brenda. Hope all is well.
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All is well. I accepted a job offer, and I start March 1. Super excited. 🙂 Hope all is well there, despite the polar vortex slamming the country.
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what a beautiful expression of new life that sprang from us
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Thanks, Beth. Is grand-motherhood a similar feeling of forever-change?
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it absolutely is, but in a gentle, joyful way with no fear
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No fear. That sounds good. 🙂
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Lovely
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