Henna Summer
From the summer bower, watch flame burn into the canvas of horizon. The painter hastens ahead of the blaze, turning orange to red and blue to purple. He imagines the roiling belly of the ocean and the navel of the earth as, fed green wood, the fire smolders, smears smoke over the sun and pierces clouds with broken pottery shards. Then shines through midnight.
Poised on the lips of the world, midnight dances, her smoky darkness filling the cracks left by moisture and scratches. Where she loves and bleeds, so bloom the roses. And someone somewhere fills water in a clay basin and that water rises to the lips of the world and overflows and rinses the canvas clean and so lies the painter in his bed of blackened roses.
Photo by Dave
Mike U.
Your poetic deftness is on display here (as always). This is transcendent poetry, Layla. Imagery and flow, perfectly executed, dream-like and ethereal. Seriously, it’s such a pleasure to read your work. 😊
Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.com
The words that came to mind when reading was “so much flow in these lines” and then I noticed that the other commenters made the same comment. How lovely to flow like that! Beautiful sensual world of yours…
Layla Todd
Thank you for this amazing comment, Ka! ❤️
Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.com
I’m happy to hear that this comment was amazing! Speaking my truth 🙂
Annabel
I am in awe of your mastery of poetic descriptions, Layla! These lines you shared are tangible, tasteful, captivating, and vibrant. You are born a poetess indeed.💖
Layla Todd
Thank you for this sweet comment, Annabel! It is a delight to read your thoughts again. 🌹
Annabel
Most welcome, Layla! Thanks for your stunning sharing, too. 💖
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
A very peculiar view on a summer that from your words enters directly in my lungs.
GRAZIE Layla!
Belladonna
Wow!!!! Layla this is so well written. Great work.
D. Wallace Peach
So beautiful, Layla. This flows wonderfully, almost without pause in its movement and drama. For me, it captured passion on the verge of madness. Loved it.
Layla Todd
Thank you for this sweet comment, Diana!
Gabriela Marie Milton
I love this piece Layla.
xoxo
Smelly Socks and Garden Peas
Absolutely lovely stuff x
Ingrid
Delightfully painted, Layla!
Baydreamer - Lauren Scott
Amazing writing, as always, Layla. Love your imagery! 🩷
Layla Todd
Thank you so much, Lauren! 🩷
Eugi
An amazing piece, Layla! Such meaningful and flowing lines. 💖
Layla Todd
Thank you, Eugi! 🩷
Pooja G
Wow, loved the imagery. So well written.
Layla Todd
Thank you for reading, Pooja! 🩷
Jacqui Murray
Wonderful! You are an expert at connecting opposites–“loves and bleeds”–these each evoke a completely different image yet together, it’s amazing.
Layla Todd
Thank you for this lovely comment, Jacqui! 🩷