Thursday, April 15, 2021

Cross

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Well, if ever a name came in handy! ... "Today, I’d like to challenge you to write a poem that delves into the meaning of your first or last name.

Let's hope so. It's 2345 so I have fifteen minutes to get this together!




Cross

When I married late in life
I traded one patriarchal name 
that appeared over six pages 
in the Vancouver phone book
for another that would require constant correcting 
when it came to spelling it with its single s.

Can't find you says the vet,
the optometrist, the florist,
am I sure I've been here before,
made that appointment, 
reserved that table.

It's a small cross to bear
as crosses go, the rest of it
easy as a walk across the field
in the back yard with its aspen grove
and ancient apple trees
that still produce a flounce of flowers in spring,
autumn bounty for pies.

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2 comments:

Caroline Woodward said...

Such delightful word play and with lingering resonance because you never fail to plumb the depths somehow...your gift, that poetic alchemy. Thank you!

Linda Crosfield said...

Thank YOU for reading, Caro!