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Magritte’s Apple Explains It All, by Joan Leotta

1/9/2022

6 Comments

 
Picture
The Listening Room, by Rene Magritte (Belgium) 1952

Magritte’s Apple Explains It All

One glance at this canvas and I knew the answer
to the conundrum troubling my heart:
Why in the twenty years since she has left this earth,
has my mother not visited me in a dream?

Dreams, those moments when the conscious mind relaxes
when life’s everyday reality joins with matter deep inside
bridging that line between the known and mystery--
in that land of dreams I’ve often watched met, even talked with
my grandmother, father, aunts, and son. 
All of these beloved departeds have spoken to me, 
my son has directly addressed me more than once.
Only my mother has never appeared. Never even walked
across my mental stage as a cameo.

Occasionally, I admit, I worry that perhaps she doesn’t visit
because I did not love her enough in life for her to remain connected.
But how can that be, when I know I loved her then and still
love her very much?
In life, we laughed and argued, had much to say to one another.
I wear her jewelry, cook her recipes, , chuckle over her sayings,
and, regularly, even though its been twenty years,  when 
I open the drawers of her wooden vanity, the aroma of Youth Dew
wafts up to meet me. 

Now, Magritte has helped me understand.
My mother does not need to wait for night, for dreams to return.
She fills my days in many ways.
She does not come in dreams because she has never really left 
my waking moments.
She fills the room of my consciousness, my crisp green apple
of a mother, larger than life—even in death.

​Joan Leotta

​Joan Leotta plays with words on page and stage. She loves to write ekphrastic poetry.
6 Comments
Alarie Tennille link
1/9/2022 04:29:31 pm

Lovely poem that should resonate with a lot of readers.

Reply
Bethany R.
1/10/2022 09:24:23 pm

Thank you for writing and sharing this poem. I love your approach to this fabulous piece of art, and your realization, "She does not come in dreams because she has never really left/ my waking moments."

Reply
Robert Miner
1/13/2022 03:37:46 pm

This really struck home for me. I have rejoiced at the rare dream with my lost son and wondered at why and when those I are recalled in dreams. Really well done.

Reply
Sandi Stromberg
1/15/2022 05:57:26 pm

Thank you for this beautiful poem and its insight. My husband died in September and lost in the immensity of grief, I have waited and waited for him to appear in a dream. His absence has haunted me; he was a deep dreamer who paid close attention to his dreams. So why hasn't he appeared in mine? I live in a bungalow he totally restored for us, and your poem made me realize he "fills my days in many ways"...he "never really leaves my waking moments." Thank you. Thank you!

Reply
Lorette
1/16/2022 07:51:06 am

So heartbreaking Sandi but how beautiful that Joan's beautiful poem gave you something.

Reply
Moira Garland link
7/26/2022 09:28:56 am

Yes resonates with me, having grieved over the loss of my 2 brothers - one of whom appeared often in my dreams after his sudden death - and parents. And yes, my mother is always here with me, if not in my dreams. I like the way you've taken the artwork and gone in this direction - skilful and meaningful poetry. Thank you.

Reply

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