A Life Weathered
I wove the entire "impromptu" speech around a poem I wrote the evening before while riding home from work on the bus. The poem describes the birth of three main characters of my life.
The first stanza expresses the day of my birth. You'll, discover, if you check the almanac for October of 1957 that the details are accurate. After a week of temperatures never rising above the 50s in Portland, Oregon, the temperature on the day of my birth (the 9th) soared to 66.9!
The second stanza describes the birth of my daughter on Easter weekend, 1978 when winter took a curtain call and surprised the city of Chicago.
The third stanza relates to the birth of my second daughter, in the middle of August of 1979 when temperature and humidity in Indianapolis frequently rose into the 90s.
I hope you enjoy!
Life Weathered
As Autumn broke free of the Summer
Shedding canopies that shadow the earth
When sunshine clung tight to the moment
So began the Indian Summer of my birth.
Wintry squalls and March winds blew
Where springtime had been a day ago
She arrived in my sleep, near unnoticed
As unseen crocus part the drifted snow.
She entered as sultry as the summer air
In stillness and silence of a hot afternoon
Trailing breezes upon a summer's eve
My nymph awoke 'neath an August Moon.
Published by Sharon Cohen
Having dabbled in multiple careers and innumerable hobbies, I have finally realized that my greatest earthly endeavor is that of being a wife. I am an helpmeet - from the Hebrew work "ezer" - meaning to sur... View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentOh, forgive me, I forgot to mention that your poem is beautiful!
OMG! I was a Toastmaster, too. In fact, the karaoke story I put on here was my first contest winning speech! I quite a couple years ago over their judging policies as I was royally cheated out of a win in a contest, but how nice to see a fellow AC person is also a member!
Very enjoyable! Thanks for sharing!!!
Beautiful poem.
sharon, your poem is elegant. you are so gifted.
Captain Dallas - Your wit never ceases to amuse me!
Great poem, however you may be the cause of climate change. ;)
really nice job.
I write poetry myself and enjoyed reading this. Keep your creative juices flowing.
Wonderful poem. I was born that month and year too!