The Poppy of Georgia O'Keeffe by Janine Pommy Vega

The Poppy of Georgia O'Keeffe
 
In the carmine extravagance
the skirts of a Spanish dancer swirl
flamenco rhythms, castanets
exuberant dancer
drumming her heels on a wooden floor
staccato barks, deep intricate guitars
the energy pulsing from the dark
surrounds and enters


The poppy is wide open
her petals curve
like the skirts of a mountain
filled with the morning sun
we climb
and reaching the pinnacle shout
like the flower
in strict discipline, in eloquent satori
in the wild grace of black and red.

by Janine Pommy Vega, from The Green Piano, David R. Godine Publishing, 2005


by Janine Pommy Vega