The road ran past
yet we just walked
keeping pace

And where the river ran
we took the curves
hand in hand

When blood ran cold
through all your veins
I froze 

Only my paints still run
portraits of you
abstraction

31 thoughts on “Still running”

1. Ooh! I froze when I read the third stanza and that last stanza….uff!
   Laura, so much said in a few words! I love this.

   1. thank you – this poem wrote itself so it took me by surprise too other than it is an anniversary month

      1. Yes, I know this is the anniversary month, which makes it more special and poignant. When our heart leads the way, it oft leaves us surprised. You are welcome, Laura.

         1. thank you for your empathetic perception x

2. Oh my heart this is so poignant, Laura! I am especially moved by “And where the river ran we took the curves hand in hand.” 💜💜

   1. I set out to write something that matched the idyllic quote but… thank you for it anyway

3. I Love where Edna St Vincent Millay’s road took you, Laura, to a deeply touching memory, and these lines, which made me tear up:

   ‘Only my paints still run
   portraits of you
   abstraction’.

   1. many thanks Kim – with time we forget the looks and voice

      1. My pleasure, Laura. I’m finding that too.

4. The river, the blood, the paints, delicately superimposed one on another makes this poem an exquisite read.

   1. what an encouraging comment Dora as I was not overly pleased with this poem as it wrote itself against my wishes

5. The movement from the pastoral to the chilling to the running paints metaphor–so poignant, Laura. The reader feels the grief and memories. 💙

   1. a feeling is so much part of poetry even in this little one so thank you Merril

      1. You’re very welcome, Laura.

6. You never know what will trigger a spasm of grief – thanks for sharing it Laura…

   1. so insightful – thank you

7. Stunning in its simplicity and yet gorgeously textured, that opening stanza is just wonderful, and down with a mere handful of the barest of words

   Lovely poem, but then…that last stanza, again, leading off the one before, amazing writing Laura

   1. it seemed too simple a poem to publish so your feedback is most uplifting – thank you Ain

8. So sad, Laura.

   1. it ran that way in the end 😦

9. I fear no words I have will add to the conversation. I appreciate reading you, Laura.❤️

   1. and I appreciate you visiting to read x

10. Love this form with the close rhymes. And the last word, every day, is my passion.

    1. thank you Maria – that first stanza emerged spontaneously and dictated the form and content

11. Stunningly succinct like a brushstroke.

    1. I especially appreciate your seeing the brushstrokes as I’ve just begun learning to paint abstracts as a complete novice

       1. 🙂

12. This is so very poignant, and that loss will catch up with you….. sometimes unexpectingly

    1. caught me out with this one Bjorn 😉

13. abstract– existing in thought. very moving. i hope the painting helps color your world. sincere condolences during this anniversary month of your love’s passing. ❤

    1. thank you for such kind thoughts

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