To Claude Monet Regarding the Water Lilies, by Mary Padgen Michna

Water Lilies and the Japanese Bridge, by Claude Monet (France) 1899

To Claude Monet Regarding the Water Lilies

I am grateful.

For me, the water lilies and your story
unleashed an energy that washed over me, 
pushing me forward to leave behind fear and doubt.

For you, 30 years and 250 paintings:
water lilies in every season, every light,
smear of mauve brings twilight shadow,
blush of pink captures sunset,
sunrise - a stroke of yellow 
fresh as cream in the morning,
afternoon sun casts its web of light,
green lily pads frame gypsy clouds
traveling both sky and water,
ferns bow to the beauty,
willows weep,
bamboo reaches to sky
whispering alleluia.

I stood in museums and in Giverny
before the altar of the bridge,
the sacrament of lily pads.
You believed, planted, tended,
painted, shared their beauty for all time.
So who am I to not believe?
Words are strokes on paper,
to be dreamed and humbly offered.
From you I learned creating is love.

Mary Padgen Michna

Mary Padgen Michna is retired after 15 years as a journalist, 15 years as a copywriter, and a very satisfying nine years as development director and fundraiser for a free clinic.  After retirement, she and a writing friend started a group for sharing, writing, and reading.  Her poetry has  received an honourable mention from The Franciscan Spirituality Center in LaCrosse, Wis.  Another received an honourable mention from the 2022 Passager contest.