Editor’s note: Gerri is one of my favorite poets. She has a knack for poetry that is both thought-provoking and accessible—a hard balancing act. And Gerri plays with words and ideas in interesting ways. You’ll see. (Kate)
Rue for remembrance, she said
Silly girl, who taught her herb lore?
Rue is for keeping things out, not close
If you want that, reach for some rose
Some lavender and jasmine
Flowers young ladies wear to attract
Charming young men—or princes
I know she was a lady once
Beautiful and royal
But aren't they all, these girls who come
To me? Something other than what
They become once I'm through with them
For good or ill
Well, if I'm honest, some of mine
Have been downright cruel
Poisoning apples and enchanting rapunzel
Demanding hearts and babies as if that's normal
Payment for the work we healers do
They don't help our reputation
That's for certain
This one—I don't know how she'll fare
I found her wandering, covered in ashes
Feet torn apart by glass footwear
I stopped the bleeding with yarrow
And the tendon of a bunny I rescued
From a trap but had to remove the leg
She didn't make a peep as I stitched
I'm used to girls with vinegar in them
With fire and passion—girls drawn to
Damiana and angelica
To cinnamon and mint
But she's so still, her smile so sweet
Maybe someday she'll tell me why
She ran away from a life most would kill for
She's drawn to nettles, to foxglove
And mugwort, willow bark and
Rosemary, valerian and lady's slipper
Useful herbs certainly but also dangerous
In the wrong hands
Her hands are gentle, but so were the girls'
Who made the poison apple, who blinded a
Prince in love with her girl
I never can read them
Am never sure if what I'm raising
Will be therapeutic or deadly
If only people were like herbs
Prescriptive and reliable
Alone or in combination
But then, what would be the fun in that?
***
BIO: Gerri Leen is a Pushcart-nominated poet from Northern Virginia who's into horse racing, tea, and collecting encaustic art and raku pottery. She has poetry published in Strange Horizons, Dreams &
Nightmares, Polu Texni, NewMyths.com and others. Visit gerrileen.com to see what she's been up to.
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Altered image from Gardening Know How.
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6 comments:
Absolutely wonderful ❤️
Thank you! ❤️
Ooh, reading this made me all tingly! I wonder what the ash girl will do with those herbs... Love this poem.
Beautiful!
Love the herbal lore and yes, if only people were as reliable...:) Excellent poem.
Lynden, Debotah, and Sharmon
I'm so glad you enjoyed this! Thank you so much for the comments. ❤️ I have no idea what the ash girl will do with all those potentially scary herbs but I bet it will be interesting.
Gerri
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