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Islands
by Genevieve Sturrocki have a mark on my right arm
given to me at birth
it runs from fingertip to elbow bend
and is sprinkled with angel kisses
(or so my mom defined my freckles)
it's uneven lines create the coastline
of a chain of exotic islands
i spent many an afternoon
dreaming of those islands on my skin
wondering where i must go to find them
and the marvels that await me there
once, when i was still young enough
to be frightened by that which i now take in stride
mom and i were caught driving in a storm
the day turned dark as night and water fell from the sky in sheets
forcing mom to cling with whitened knuckles to the steering wheel
frozen in place by the fury outside i was desparate for reassurance
mom was tight lipped with concentration staring straight ahead
so i spoke to the One who always listened to my fears
and the storm just stopped
looking up at the sky i saw
a single bright golden sunbeam
breaking through the clouds
as if someone from above were peeking through the blinds
and the light of heaven spilled through unchecked
the angry black masses broke apart
and that wonderful painfully bright light
limned each cloud in a halo of rose-gold
i was fascinated by these shifting shapes
pulling apart and creating cliffs and valleys and
a chain of exotic islands
so like the one on my arm
i still dream of those islands
where i must go to find them
and the marvels that await me there 11/21/2006 Author's Note: poorly expressed but a true event in my life.
Posted on 11/21/2006
Copyright © 2025 Genevieve Sturrock
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 02/04/07 at 03:54 AM I enjoyed reading about you when you were young, your unique arm markings "sprinkled with angels kisses" and how this became islands on your arm. The story with your mom is quite marvelous and your answered prayer very special. You appear to be a seeker and that should serve you well. |
| Posted by David Hill on 02/25/07 at 12:07 AM I like the arm markings described as islands, and the way they return and appear as a real place later in the piece. It is an idea that works well and you include many details, which is something that gives the piece life.
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| Posted by Alisa Js on 02/25/07 at 09:00 AM this one was sweet and touching... reading through it, I was reminded of what is written in the Old Testament... how God named the stars everyone and calls them by name...which somehow in my mind seemed the logical jump from the islands depicted by the freckles on your arm....;-) |
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