© Lisa Fox, Felt Mansion
Early
mornings I look
from my bedroom window,
the pond’s still surface a mirror
that waits.
I walk
along the edge.
My fingers remember
being dirty, planting the urns,
again.
Aster
and marigold,
bright in the summer sun,
when the world was full of colored
perfume.
In green
brocade, I blend
into arbor vitae;
if you look just right, you’ll see me.
Hear me
in breeze,
distant laughter
from happy yesterdays;
swallows skim along rippling glass
alive.
Early
along the edge
bright in the summer sun
if you look just right, you’ll see me
alive.
This is my first attempt at a Garland Cinquain. Garland cinquain are a titled series of six cinquains in which the last is formed of lines from the preceding five, typically line one from stanza one, line two from stanza two, and so on.
Felt Mansion was built by Mr. Dorr Felt for his wife Agnes and it took three years to complete. Sadly, Agnes passed away only six weeks after they moved into the home. Her second floor bedroom window looks over the pond.
Colleen Chesebro is the host of Tanka Tuesday. Colleen says:
Lisa said she took this image at the Felt Mansion (western Michigan) in 2020. With Halloween just around the corner, the stark imagery in this photo sets a mood. Let’s see if you can capture the mood in your syllabic poetry. Use the photo as your inspiration!
Tao Talk 
A very interesting cinquain form. A very pretty look back on memories. I love the idea of looking and seeing oneself.
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Lisa, thank you very much.
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wonderful flow and soothing poem Lisa!
❤️
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Cindy, thank you very much. The sad story of Mrs. Felt passing on so soon after moving in to that beautiful house has stayed with me since first learning it. They say her ghost remains there, at the mansion.
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You’re so welcome Lisa.. That is sad and alright but maybe her ghost is a gift worth befriending?
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Sad story. Your reflection captures that melancholy well. (K)
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Kerfe, thank you.
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Utterly magnificent, Lisa. Hard to believe it’s your first attempt at writing this form. ❤️
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Dora, thank you, I didn’t know it existed before today and do like the way it is laid out with that last stanza. It really helps compose the rest.
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This is absolutely gorgeous. more than enjoyed it.
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Jude, thank you. Having walked those grounds several times, looked up at Agnes’ window as it looks out over the pond, and knowing her story makes this poem very personal for me.
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🤩✨
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A moving poem Li.
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Thank you, Sadje ❤
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You’re welcome
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Lisa, your garland cinquain was splendid! You captured the melancholy mood in this photo perfectly. How sad Agnes passed so quickly after moving in. I wonder if her spirit lingers there?
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Thank you, Colleen. They say she does, and I’ve looked for her each time but so far no sensing of her presence. There is a small stone structure at the bottom of the hill behind the house that did give off a vibe of some kind though. It’s a neat place, and I don’t think Saugatuck is that far from Lansing :::hint hint:: 😉
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I know… my hubby is a 100% disable veteran and getting around is hard for him. There are so many places I would love to see. I’m hoping next summer will be better for us. 💜
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Colleen, didn’t know that about your husband. Hoping you two get a chance to see it next summer ❤
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Our periferal vison can sometimes see more than we think… You brought color to the image with your verse.
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Jules, thank you very much!
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🙂
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I like swallows skim along rippling glass….really good line.
Oh lordy…I’m way behind!
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Thanks much, Max. No worries, you’re under no mandate to read everything I write 🙂
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I like reading them…I even read the ones I just like. I cut down the people I follow to just the people I want to read.
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Very much appreciated, Max. I understand about having had to cut down also. Only so many hours in a day. You’re one I always follow also 🙂
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