Visiting Frida's Garden, by Lois Perch Villemaire

Me and My Parrots, by Frida Kahlo (Mexico) 1941​

Visiting Frida’s Garden

I stand at the entrance to your garden
framed by a welcoming doorway--
wishing to know more about you
and Diego, love of your life,
source of deep despair.

Poster images stitched together 
like a quilted sunburst of bold colors, 
celebrated artwork, poor health, 
and burdens of sadness. 

Your work table enclosed in plexiglass 
displays a palette of artistic tools
that armed you, protected you, 
expressed your talent. Paints, brushes, pastels, 
globe to perhaps reveal desires to travel, 

paperback of Walt Whitman, sketchbook 
exposing blue pages. Personal items 
preserved, surrounded by tropical plants 
and flowers of Mexico— your native land, 
kindling of inspiration.

I study your self-portrait, 
stern face, ruby lips, signature eyebrows, 
delicate neck, bronze skin, brown eyes,
hot as the cigarette burning 
between your fingers.
Flowers and wool woven in your hair
like a birds nest.

Two rainbow parrots roost 
on your shoulders, 
two more hugged to your heart 
like babies you were denied.

Lois Perch Villemaire

Lois Perch Villemaire resides in Annapolis, MD, where she is inspired by the charm of a colonial town and the glorious Chesapeake Bay. After retirement from a career in local government, she concentrated on her love of writing. Researching family history led to memoir and creative nonfiction. Her prose and poetry have appeared in a number of journals and have been included in several anthologies. She enjoys yoga practice, fun photography, watercolour, and raising African violets.