The Breath of Green, by Michal Perry

Like Waking Up From a Dream to a Dream, by Michal Perry (USA, b. Israel) 2021

 
The Breath of Green 
  
Misty gray veils the awakening morning. 
Hibiscus shrub flowers red, rest among its leaves.
Each leaf illuminates in a different shade.
 
A lone black bee hovers between the leaves, lingers
and stands in the center of the red petals, 
sips nectar and moves to the next flower.
 
From time to time sparks of fire 
scatter from the darkened skies.

The breath of green intensifies 
with the blowing wind.
The scent of death, 
closer than ever,
 
grips me,
never has it been so close.
  
It is the scent clinging to the garments;
I inhale it even though I placed
 
a bouquet of white lilies on the table.
​
Michal Perry

Michal Perry is a poet, painter, and multidisciplinary artist. She was born in Jerusalem and graduated from the Avni Art Institute in Tel Aviv.  She completed her master's studies at Bar-Ilan University in comparative literature. Her poems have appeared in leading journals and she has published three full-length poetry collections in Israel. Between 1990-2004, Michal Perry lived and worked in New York City as manager and curator of the Klarfeld Perry Gallery. In addition, she presented solo exhibitions and participated in international group exhibitions in the US and Europe. Michal lives and works in New York City and Tel Aviv. www.michalperry.com