Near the Shore of Lake Saimaa, by Kathryn Schmeiser

Women Outside the Church at Ruokolahti, by Albert Edelfelt (Finland) 1884

Near the Shore of Lake Saimaa
Ruokolahti, Finland
 
Prayers whispered 
on wood pews, service 
over.  Now huddled 
near unhearing 
stones like silenced 
ears.  Old and young 
share rumours, stories 
saved, steeped 
seven days.  Bony 
hands, hair 
uncovered,
aprons tucked 
around waists.  
Time not 
wasted as 
they
listen to faults 
of husbands.
Vegetables
ripe for 
picking.
Sorrows.

Naisets.  Women. 
Givers of life 
rest
feet
on
green,
avoid
the long
walk
home

Kathryn Schmeiser
 
Kathryn Schmeiser is the author of two poetry and photography collections.  She has had poems published in Cadence 2024 (Florida State Poets Association Anthology), CSPS (California State Poetry Society) Poetry Letter, Message in a Bottle (Highland Park Poetry Publication), Of Poets & Poetry (Publication of the Florida State Poets Association), Poets for Peace Sunflowers Rising: Poems for Peace Anthology and The Reach of Song.  Her poems have received national and state awards.  She is a member of Poets for Peace (NFSPS) and was a submissions review reader for Sunflowers Rising: Peace Poems Anthology, 2025.