By Linda Conroy
In rough gravel
beneath a maple drape
beside a chance thistle
between the fallen
cones of pine
an orange poppy
its stem so fragile
barely wider
than a thread
drowses, sways.
Light wind licks
its four translucent petals,
splendor
in a muslin dress.
This glow of beauty
may quickly
turn its back
as one petal falls
is swept off
separated
by an errant breeze.
Others tremble, sensing
that the color splash
may vanish
any moment
in these days
of doubt
of raw uncertainty.
Copyright 2024 Conroy
Linda Conroy , SHARK Reef Poetry Co-editor, retired from a long career as a Child Protective Services worker, manager, meeting facilitator and advocate for people with unique needs; she knew she needed to write about the complicated and gratifying human behaviors she had been privileged to witness, as well as the impact of the natural world and the changing times. Initially, she wrote fiction and creative non-fiction, but poetry quickly became her favorite genre.
She continues to host and facilitate writing groups at Village Books in Bellingham, WA, and enjoys spending time with writer friends. She is a four–time Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest winner and has received nominations for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net. Her poetry has recently appeared in many journals and anthologies and at local community events. She is the author of two poetry collections, Ordinary Signs, and Familiar Sky.
All work by Linda Conroy