girls didn’t leave home until the wedding in those days,
still, Esther was bound for the city
watching the darkness gather outside the window,
her body relaxing as the train sped along,
the droning of the wheels lulling her,
she grasped the last bit of light ringing the horizon,
plucking an invisible flow of memories
streaming across her awareness, one by one,
she made a list – a gutsy plan,
not at all her usual routine.
she saw it as her only way out,
wondering, would her father see it her way ?
****
when she entered the hospital
walking under the old fashioned door frame,
Esther felt safe,
courting bravery until it became second nature,
her only wages were the tricks she gleaned
and the support she sought while she learned her art,
never mind failure, she threw all-night parties cramming
chemistry, anatomy, physiology, biology, psychology
and all those other ‘ologies into her mind
and her heart, bitten by this virus,
and smitten by a strange desire to comfort.
much later, she wrapped herself in white
and fell in with a band of Nightingales.
****
©Wabi Sabi 2014
More Esther poems here and here
Sunday Whirl – # 147, #148
Poets United – Pantry
I’m guessing her father will not see it her way! All those “ologies” can maybe be put to use at a later chapter in her life.
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nice narration
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What a strong woman she is..i am sure she will fly with those nightingales..beautifully written
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i understand her desire to comfort
i feel it…it is why my calling is what it is
and its much more fulfilling
than chasing the money
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Wow! How powerfully you tell this story as she takes a career in heeling and lives to sing about it! At least that is how I read the nightingales. A story of courage and hope. Thank you!
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Healing! Oh my!
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Oh, so lovely…that last line was wonderful!
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Esther sounds brave to me. She’ll put all those ‘ologies’ to good use.
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A wonderful poem. The last line is beautiful.
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“she grasped the last bit of light ringing the horizon,
plucking an invisible flow of memories
streaming across her awareness, one by one,”… we drawn on the courage and strength we need… beautiful poem.
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Yes, that last line is completely wonderful.
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Sometimes, to comfort also allows us to find comfort for ourselves–really a lovely write!
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What a wonderful story.. enchating — and those nighingales really nails it.
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Great story about Esther, wabi. She is quite a gal.
Pamela
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Love the story and especially the conclusion. A band of Nightingales was quite a final choice!!
Eileen
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very nice….good for Esther
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This is beautiful writing and I wasn’t even disappointed to have the question of whether it was good or bad to be with a band of nightingales in the end.
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I think Florence would be pleased and happy with your description of the kind of women it took to create her first band and all the others that have grown from them. She herself might have been the main subject of all of your word weaving.
Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2014/02/15/courting-disaster/
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a beautiful story of hope, courage and inspiration…..
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I love that gorgeous close! Enjoyed your storytelling WS!
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Wonderful. I can imagine her courage and excitement as the train heads towards her future.
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Likening desire to a virus made a masterful comparison.
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