Shelled but not shelfed

A virgin defiled is like a palmed rose
Stripped of her fragrance–a sillage remains
Sustaining a grey life with dim accuracy
Until spiritual songs dance their way deep inside her painted mirth
Nulling marrows consuming her inside out

dversepoets.com. The charms of Samuel Greenberg, a romantic poet, unpublished and taken young by tuberculosis. Out of 21 charms below in his poem “The Pale Impromptu” the challenge is to pick 5 and weave a poem. I used 6 of them.

Dim Accuracy; Candle salve; Consumed moon;
Eyes jealousy; Fouls deviation; Grey life;
Hearts brow; Lucid farrows; Nulling marrows;
Painted mirth; Pale heat; Palmed rose;
Pearls from tissue; Pellucid quest; Royal flesh;
Skulls of saints; Slime pigments; Spiritual songs;
Solitudes wish; Times chant; Yellow dreams;

About Mary (tqhousecat)

I am married, and a mother of two grown children. I love Jesus and sharing my faith through written words. My poetry is on my blog and you can find some previous stories on Medium and linked-in. My focus is hope in Christ. My desire is that whoever reads this will be blessed, inspired, occasionally amused, kind, and patient to my growth in Christ as He conforms me to His image.
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9 Responses to Shelled but not shelfed

  1. Lucy says:

    Love how you used Greenberg’s phrases in this piece, they are quite riveting! Very well written. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  2. rothpoetry says:

    Very nice work…. I love the transition from sadness to joy in you poem.

    Like

  3. lynn__ says:

    Excellent piece, Mary!

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  4. msjadeli says:

    Your compassion and encouragement shine here, Mary.

    Like

  5. Very well constructed!

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  6. Great opening line Mary – sets the tone for the whole poem. Thank you for joining the prompt and being inspired by Greenberg

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  7. Frome your first lines this poem made me think of Blake’s sick rose… but I hope that she will find light and recovery in the end.

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  8. sanaarizvi says:

    It’s no doubt a life altering experience. Love how beautifully you have incorporated the charms here, Mary 💝

    Like

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