World Poetry Day

Today is World Poetry Day! In honor of this, I am sharing a poem I wrote several years ago. It is a special poem to me as it paints a portrait of the relationship I have with my older sister whom I love very much. Unfortunately, our personalities just do not mix well so we do not have a close relationship. No matter our differences, she is my sister and I will do anything for her. It’s also fitting since today is her birthday. Happy Birthday, Pele!

 

Ice and Fire

 

Her skin shines with frost, blue and glistening.

Her hair, smooth and straight, streaming like fluid mercury.

Silently,  she walks among the fields,

creating a world, hushed and peaceful,

snow and frost spread from her feet

until she reaches the valley, black with soot.

A cold smile freezes on her lips,

knowing the story to unfold, a meeting,

a dance, an embrace that can never be.

Two sisters, born of the earth,

two sisters, one Fire and one Ice.

Two sisters, with a love so fierce,

two sisters, fragile bodies they cannot hold.

 

So they dance!

Fire trailing flames from her fingers,

Ice sending frost through the air.

Their shimmering bodies twirl about the other,

frost turning to water, glistening down like diamonds,

flame becoming smoke, twisting up like ribbons,

all within the glow of Ice and Fire.

 

A body wreathed in flame, her skin swirling gold.

Her hair, wild and untamed, shining like spun copper.

Rapidly, she runs across the mountains,

consuming all she meets with a mighty roar,

leaving a trail of destruction beneath her feet

until she reaches the valley, white with snow.

A heated smile blazes to her lips,

knowing the story to unfold, a meeting,

a dance, an embrace that can never be.

Two sisters, born of the earth,

two sisters, one Fire and one Ice.

Two sisters, with a love so fierce,

two sisters, fragile bodies they cannot hold.

 

So they dance!

Fire trailing flames from her fingers,

Ice sending frost through the air.

Their shimmering bodies twirling about the other,

frost turning to water, glistening down like diamonds,

flame becoming smoke, twisting up like ribbons,

all within the glow of Ice and Fire.

 

Joni Graham