Artwork by Chelsea Bednar, used by permission of artist
In the Forests of Time
In the forests of time
grows a tree of great stature
and mythical powers
A statue and a garden and
a haven for those who crave
a little time
The Key of Life stands guard
ensuring time is not wasted
but hasty exits are seldom
Linger in this forest with me
as we examine the footprints
of the mysteries of life
Take a branch, any branch
Hunker down a spell
Lost in the growth of time
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Chelsea Bednar is an up-and-coming artist; she lent us use of this image for Margaret’s “Artistic Interpretation” prompt at Imaginary Garden With Real Toads. I was inspired by the clocks and the small ankh on the left side, known as the “key of life.” For more poets’ interpretations, click HERE, and for Chelsea’s website, click HERE. Also for dverse Open Mic Night. Peace to all, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
Listening Daisy
This poem reminds me of the items in the “The Story of the Speaking Bird” from the Arabian knights. I really enjoyed the way you highlighted the different items in the forest.
Hannah Gosselin
Ooo…I’m grateful for the reminder of the meaning behind the ankh…I had forgotten that and this gives that portion a more rich meaning, thank you!
Cool ending as well, Amy!! I kind of like how one can read “spell,” in a couple of different ways. 🙂
vivinfrance
Deep thinking here. I hadn’t even noticed the clock and the ankh – I was thinking of a scene from the Lord of the Ring where the trees moved about menacingly
Jannie Funster
Holey freaking cow — Chelsea’s good. But look at who her wonderfully artistic mama is, the girl can’t help but be super-awesome. But seriously, wow! She was born with it.
AMY, I am SO under that tree with you this moment. And it feels so beautifully cool on a hot day.
Thank you!!!
xooxo
margaretbednar
Thank you Jannie! 🙂
Pamela
Que bonita, Amelita. Ojala todo estas bien contigo amiga.
Pamela
Sherry Blue Sky
Beautiful, kiddo. My favorite cathedral is under an old growth tree.
kaykuala
Linger in this forest with me
as we examine the footprints
of the mysteries of life
If only one can really spare the time to reflect, it may well solve lots of life’s problems. The great Chelsea painting is a such an inspiration. Wonderful take. Amelita!
Hank
P/S I like the sound of your Spanish name, just as much as Pamelita’s above!
margaretbednar
haven… the gazebo I believe symbolizes (for her) a town where we used to live (where she grew up). I’m glad you found her ankh! Now that I see the clock in the gazebo with the ankh on it… I wonder if this meant that Petoskey, MI will always be a part of who she is… It has a left a huge footprint upon her heart… Nicely done.
Susan
A very attractive invitation! Compared to your welcome, my poem on this picture is outright ominous.
peggygoetz
I really like where you went from this picture! Wow.
Kerry O'Connor
Take a branch, any branch…
Looking at this artwork, I wonder just what that branch might bring with it.. There’s plenty of darkness to make me think twice.
Michael (contemplativemoorings)
This has the makings of a great modern myth 🙂
McGuffy Ann
What a great write!
Truedessa
I found a lot I enjoyed in this piece but, this line really stick out at me. Interesting thought.
The Key of Life stands guard
Polly Robinson
A wonderful poem for a wonderful image 🙂
Akila
very poignant. gives a soothing feeling. It speaks of the pic!
http://randomlynovel.blogspot.in/2013/05/black-and-white-hues.html
hedgewitch
Good eye on the ankh, Amy–I noticed it as I was writing but couldn’t really work it in–as you do seamlessly here. I love the feeling of expansion and possibility you create out of the inexorable progress of time, that last stanza especially.
Mama Zen
Lovely! I didn’t even see the ankh!
Helen
Good that exits from the garden are seldom hasty … best to linger a while.
lolamouse
I love the way you’ve written a life affirming poem with the picture. Totally opposite of my take!
Kay, Alberta, Canada
Ah, don’t we all want “a haven for those who crave a little time”? I love the idea, Amy, as well as “the key of life” and “the forests of time”!
Space and time and a chance to think. Wonderful.
K
lawpoetry
Wonderful write!
kislayagopal
A profound piece with deep meaning, I loved the simplicity and the aura this piece has provided.
Audrey Howitt
Such a beautiful write Hannah–this feels wonderful to me
brian miller
its a very cool piece amy…nice pick up on the ahnk as well….a garden i def would not mind to linger in…and doesnt sound like anyone is leaving too fast either…smiles..o like the examining the footprints of this life…studying it so maybe we can attain just a bit you know…smiles.
enthusiasticallydawn
pulls me in and makes me certainly want to linger…inviting and with a touch of fantasy.
Heaven (@asweetlust)
I particularly like the invitation in this verse:
Linger in this forest with me
as we examine the footprints
of the mysteries of life
Mary
Amy, this feels mythical and important. We all look for the Key of Life!
Tony Maude
I’m hunkering, Amy. What are we looking for again? Seriously, this is a lovely poem which I enjoyed very much.
yelena
amazing poem Amy..this felt like a heavy heaven of magically unfolding words. so full of harmony and wisdom. just love it~
Polly Robinson
This is stunning, Amy. I love that the tree of life stands guard.
janehewey
i feel welcomed and intrigued.
Laura Hegfield
so beautiful Amy:-) you know how I feel about forests.
ayala
the footprints
of the mysteries of life…beautiful.
Samuel Peralta / Semaphore
Your words feel like a prelude, a premonition, an introduction, to a much larger piece that encompasses an even more mythical scope than that treated here in either the painting or the poem.
Kelvin S.M.
…i must commend the painting that is quite something…. prior to the poem, i had same feel as Sam about premonitions… ah, how we can get easily lost with the furtive whispers of the darkened forest… smiles…
henna ink
Mmm, I like the last stanza. There’s nothing in the world I’d rather do. By the by, the word “spell” always makes me think of casting. So I think that image is embedded here as well. A little concoction-stirring with those branches, perhaps.
Beth Winter
The key of time ensuring that life is not wasted… I believe that many could use the protection of the Ankh. Wonderful.
Sara v
Amy, love them trees and amazing art–I just bopped over to Chelsea’s site and was Blow A-Way!! That last stanza left my heart humming–I accept the invitation 🙂