39 Comments
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Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thank you @Buzz Kantwrite !

Antonio Castellaneta's avatar

Your imagery is beautifully restrained. The gradual movement from the body into the mind and finally the heart creates such a quiet yet powerful sense of paralysis. “Freeze words in marble” and the closing image stayed with me long after reading. Thank you for sharing this.

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Antonio! I appreciate that so much.

T.S. Morgan's avatar

When I was in the military, I was on special assignment in the honor guard. Posting the colors. Ceremonies. Funerals. The last test was to stand at attention for an hour. They left us for two. We could blink or wiggle our toes.

You might not have meant to, but you took me right back there.

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

That sounds like a really tough gig! I would fail miserably. I was thinking about the process of aging, how abilities start to shut down. Then I thought about the myth of Galatea, and decided to reverse it.

Thanks so much for reading and commenting, T.S.! I appreciate it!

Geraldine A. V. Hughes's avatar

Good morning Lady Nora, I feel this deeply “eyes carved blind” as I live with macular degeneration in both of my beautiful green eyes, my hope is that I drop my body before I go blind. We all have physical challenges and I feel lucky at 73. Sorry to dump on you✌️&💖Lady G

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Ahhh, I’m so sorry to hear that, Lady G. May you continue seeing so perfectly with your heart. Blessings and love to you, my lady.

Geraldine A. V. Hughes's avatar

Thank you, honey!

Joe's avatar

Bravo! A spare, intelligent little ode.

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thanks so much, Joe!

Petra's avatar

Such striking metaphors, beautifully crafted. Every image feels heavy with emotion. <3

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thank you so much, Petra!

Petra's avatar

<3

School of Blue's avatar

Wow, Nora. What ideas, what emotions. I will look at statues differently from now on.

Miner Poet's avatar

When form aligns with subject, you get something as indelible as stone. Wonderful

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thank you so much, Miner! And I appreciate your restacking.

pen n. bolsillo's avatar

ahh, i’m melting into this...

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

thanks so kindly, pen!

Seajade's avatar

Cool like the caress of a marble hand against a hot fevered cheek thanks 🙏😘Nora

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

thanks, my dear sea!

Seajade's avatar

Thank you! Nora…😊

Ray Sweatman's avatar

Haunting imagery like slowly being buried alive! Well done!

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thank you, Ray!!!

Rolando Andrade's avatar

I really liked this one. Powerful use of imagery. Congratulations

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Ah, that’s so kind, Rolando! I appreciate it so very much!

Rolando Andrade's avatar

Your use of imagery is amazing

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

that means a lot

Charlotte Balladine's avatar

Beautiful Nora! Gorgeous form 👏👏

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Bless you and thank you, Charlotte!

Libertarian's avatar

I really liked it!

Frozen still to toes,

Icicle tears stuck to nose,

Eyes gaze in lost sight.

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

thank you, Libertarian!

John Sheils's avatar

That’s such a gem of a poem, Nora. That’s real craft

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Ahh, thanks, John! Your opinion means a lot to me.

Nora O’Dowd's avatar

Thanks so much @Earl Nobdy !