She woke before me,
straining her brush through aurora strands,
smiling at the pale gown
reflected in the blue-green mirror.
When she stretches,
pink melon breasts exposed at the nipple
collect prism dew, drowning
in the throb of rehydrated crystal needles.
The vapors of her perfume are scentless,
senselessly caressing the rivers of her eyes
like butterfly winds—fluttering out
from east to west; an oriental song.
But the lantern burns—
by night she is radiantly departed:
she lays her head in my lap
and the mascara runs in shadows down my leg.
*Out of season by the title, I know, but I hope you’ve all enjoyed the cool touch of this one all the same…my contribution to what may well be the last, or one of the last One Shot Wednesdays at One Stop Poetry. It has been an honor and a pleasure, everyone. I look forward to visiting you all outside of the linkies though, and to continue basking in your poetry as time rolls on.
The Waking Den 
Chris, I have to say that this is poem is one of my favorites that you wrote. Beautiful!
I’m touched – thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
you end this on a emotionally intense image…love it. travel light bro…enjoy colorado…and keep writing
A lot of vivid imagery here. Love where the last stanza goes.
Great job delving into deep emotion with this one, it does set quite the vivid images fluttering about in the readers mind. Very nice write.
♥ your poems at osw will be missed!
Nice imagery…last line is wonderful. // Peter.
Sad it’s over, too. But, this is a perfect note to go out on. “fluttering out from east to west; an oriental song” lovely 🙂
This is just gorgeous–no other word for the painting you’ve done–in language and image, the third stanza especially, and the ending takes the breath away. And if this poem must take you away, it’s a high note to go off on. Thanks for everything you’ve done at one stop Chris, to challenge my writing, educate me about photography, and show me poems like this.
wow, really enjoyed this…. creates a vivid picture I could see perfectly. great stuff!!
Stunning imagery throughout, the third stanza I fell into particularly hard. Just beautiful poetry Chris ~ Rose
I’m going to let you in on a secret…it’s my favorite stanza too. Thank you for your continued support, Rose! Your words have ever meant a great deal to this young writer’s often weary soul.
Actually this seems “in season”– PARDON the poem– a terrific job. xxxj
I wrote someone today that this is a heat-filled dark hole of a summer. I can relate it to winter when the sun is so hot that everything is overexposed and white is as white as a platinum print. Summer cold and the lantern burns at night. Wistful, evocative, sad. We’ll see each other around, our Chris. Best of luck in your new ventures! G.
Chris, this had a mature sensitivity and depth of feeling that gripped me from the first lines and carried me through to it’s fine ending. Lovely.
Thank you for all your efforts over the past year. You’ve been an inspiration to this fallen old news guy who you helped become a poet. Keep this blog rocking, okay?
I’ll do my best, Joe. It’s made easier by the support of so many wonderful people like yourself, though. All of you have been so supportive and helpful over the past year – and I’m glad you enjoyed this One Stop ending note! Not my usual style, I think…but I’m glad it turned out well.
Gorgeously sensual!
sensual, evocative, in places such delicate imagery ~ this may not be your usual style, Chris, but it is breathtaking! a lovely oasis in the midst of summer. ♥
This is very beautiful, as the personification of Winter or as a lover’s thoughts one Winter’s morning.
Really lovely, I enjoy it when you post a more expansive offering!
Some great metaphors here. Well done.
straining her brush through aurora strands
I could feel these lines, very evocative.
To this reader this poem speaks of that moment when cold – nature and human – begins to wake from slumber.
Your muses seem to have had an enchanting effect on you, Chris…
Your words flowed so beautiful… like a stream trickling through woods… it was simply lovely!!
Sad to see you move away from OSW… but that won’t stop me from reading your works anyway! 🙂 See you around, my awesome poetic pal!
oh oh oh – i like this a lot chris – love how you capture the sensuality of a winter morning and i felt this with all my senses..this is awesome and maybe my new fav by you…
Exquisite imagery, as if from another century and yet fresh and sensual in the here and now. Gentle love.
Awesome. 😉
The vapors of her perfume are scentless…
That line just drew me in and took my breath away! Loved it 🙂
Thank you for a lot of support over time through One Stop. I heard it is coming to a close in the near future, but I hope not permanently 🙂
My One Shot ~ A Poetic World
Wow Chris, this has such a poignant sensuality to it. Very visual, I could see ‘her’ in the mirror. That last line really delivers. Took my breath away this one.
Dear Chris…
I liked your words.. and reading you after a long time as I was busy travelling to europe, it was a pleasure…
Sad to see that you are leaving this wonderful group… and I don’t know why all this… so many great people leaving..
Anyways.. lets keep in touch…
Shashi
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com/2011/07/whispers-cuckoos-song-and-smell-of-love.html
That was beautiful, the feeling of not wanting to depart and the pain is so well depicted.
I so like your poetic talent, the way you play colors and nature to your advantage is highly alluring.
her beauty (true beauty) creates her…she does not create her beauty…and she doesn’t even know how beautiful she is…this is such an evocative piece, on many levels, my senses stir…thank you
the last line…fantastic!
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Chris – sorry didnt get to read this last week ( no computer)
colorful allure …
excellent