Waiting
She shows herself only to me
when I visit her garden; poses
pretty ruffled dress and gloves;
it matters not, and may enhance,
her filigree bones beneath them.
Lanky locks, lavish green bow,
I wait for her turn. What color
are her eyes? How wide is her
smile? Will her teeth be small?
Although I visit Miss Haversham
every day, every day I’m lost with-
out her surprising graceful turn.
Tao Talk 
I just rewatched Great Expectations- so this would be the perfect poetry for Pip to have penned were Pip of a mind to pen poetry- say that 10 times fast! hehehehe
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Wonderful imagining for it, V :)
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Love the mystery here….the image is wonderful. And espcially like the inclusion of Miss Haversham. Eons ago, when I was a junior in college, our sorority built (actually built) a room of Miss Haversham’s decaying mansion for an event the college called Friendship Fair. Proceeds supported the school’s foreign exchange program. People actually entered the room…and you can imagine the cob webs and old furniture etc in it. I’ve never forgotten it. Thanks for poking my memory!
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What a wonderful memory to have. Bringing fiction to life in a fun way.
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Oh, this is wonderful Lisa. I love how you emphasized the “not knowing.” That’s such an interesting part of the woman in the window.
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Thanks so much for the feedback, Colleen.
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She does appear to be there/not there–otherworldly. You’ve caught that in your poem. (K)
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Thank you, K <3
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This poem is incredible, and the ending is pure magic.
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Charlie, thanks so much.
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You have woven art into art here Lisa.
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Thanks for sharing that, Randy :)
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A nice living in the moment moment here, Lisa. You let your imagination take over the scene you saw…and yes, a person can fall in love with a ghost…especially at this time of year!
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Thanks, Bruce. I loved spying her there.
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The image of Mrs. Haversham has never left me since middle school. She was haunting then and still, I see.
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Colleen, I’m glad you connect with the poem.
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I do love the Mrs Havisham aspect… and to see a sweeter side of the sinister one I remember from reading Great Expactations.
I do love the rage of Carol Ann Duffy in her poem Havisham
https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/havisham/
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Bjorn, it has been so long now since reading the book I don’t remember much about any of the characters, the name just popped into my head. Maybe Mrs Havisham is trying to redeem herself?
That poem, oh my, how poisonous! This part “Puce curses that are sounds not words.” Been there done that. When she looks at herself in the mirror is potent, as is the rest of the poem. I imagine her with a big wart on her chin and skin that glows with puce, like her curse.
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I love the way you captured the surreal fleeting glimpse of a ghost, Lisa – as you know, I love ghost stories, anything supernatural, and the way you wonder about her eyes, smile and teeth, it’s definitely a strange love story. She’s the opposite to Dickens’ Miss Havisham though; the one he portrayed was not pretty. I am drawn to ‘filigree bones’ and the ‘surprising graceful turn’ – so eerie!
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Kim, like I just commented to Bjorn, it’s been over 50 years since we read the book in school and I remember very few details about the characters and the plot. It was the name that popped into my head.
That said, while imagining her it was a yearning, but also a dread as to what would be seen if she did turn.
Thank you very much, Kim, I do appreciate your thoughts on the poem. A good one for Halloween season, I think.
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Definitely, Lisa!
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I love it, Lisa. Very misterious and fun.
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Thanks, Dwight. The more I look at that pic and the poem it inspired, the creepier it gets. Good Halloween post.
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:>)
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I loved your poem Li. it made me want to learn more about her too. Beautifully written ☺️❤️
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Christine, thank you so much. She is mysterious for sure.
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Mysterious, supernatural–a hint at a larger story perhaps. Have you been back to that place since? The more I look at the photo and think about it, the creepier it becomes!
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I was back at the garden about a month ago, but I didn’t think to look for the mannequin (sp?) Yes, it does, with the cracked paint on the window framing it.
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Perhaps it’s better to remain (and grow) in your memory. 😉
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Love this! The way you include the image of Miss Haversham especially :D it reminded me of Great Expectations.
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Thanks very much, Sanaa. Nice to see you and hear you read your poem today :)
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What a beautiful rendering, and completion, of the photo!
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So happy you enjoyed it, Kymm. Hope to see you at dVerse again.
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A haunting poem, Li, and mysterious. What a memorable encounter indeed! Speaking of which, it was lovely to see you at OLN today.
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Dora, I loved seeing you today and hearing you read your 3 owls poem <3
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❤️🙂
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I think we all have ghosts in our hearts and minds that we wish would turn round so that we might, answer, speak, connect…Great write Li!
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Andrew, I like your view on the poem. I think so also. Thank you. Good to see you at the LIVE meetup yesterday.
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And you too Li…
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Sorry I couldn’t make the OLN LIVE, but glad I found you here. Awesome work. Thanks.
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Maybe next time. Thanks so much, Ron.
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Don’t know if you ever were single and went to what we boys called stag dances. Singles often didn’t sit at a table but rather sat around the the room on benches. There they would expect to be asked by someone to dance, of course they could decline. Your poem reminded me of a very popular lady who was always chosen before the fellow had a chance.
Jim
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Jim, I’ve see those stag dances in movies. I can see the lady in the window being one like her. Thanks for reading and sharing your experience.
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intriguing
much♡love
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Thanks, Gillena. Good to see you at dVerse on Saturday. Happy you were OK after the earthquake!
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Great twist!
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Thanks, J!
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Intriguing and mysterious! Some situations attract us and revolt us at the same time, you evoked that feeling in this verse.
It was good to see you, Li, the other day. ❤️
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Well said, Punam, and I’m glad it came through. I wish I could have seen you!
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❤️
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I love this window lady and the rhythm of your poem, Li. Yes, I think a person can fall in love with a ghost.
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Melissa so happy you enjoyed the poem. I agree.
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