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favorite old poem

IT IS IMPORTANT

To have a vision
to sustain the effort
to see it all the way
through – –

Even when it seems
to leave you

It Is Important was published first in Time Of Singing. The poem has found many homes.

I included this poem in my first chapbook, And So My Soul (2001, out of print).

Ellen Grace Olinger

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tree branches

tree branches
and grey-white sky
a bowl of soup
and giving thanks

list of things to do
but not this moment

100_9584

Ellen Grace Olinger

 

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Poem for Georgia O’Keeffe

The ripples of a life:
Your black iris hangs
In my study–
(the walls are grey and
you would approve);
How could you know the beauty
You would bring into our lives
You, who painted flowers
big to make us see–
Intensity of color to
Mirror intensity of soul,
And, having found
Expression, tranquility of
Soul.

You couldn’t have known, not truly.
You were simply working hard,
Faithful to what you saw.

You painted your way
And your passing grieves me.

*

by Ellen Grace Olinger

Published in HARD ROW TO HOE, Reviews From Rural America (Winter 1994, Vol III).

The print referred to is from a showing of O’Keeffe’s work at The Madison Art Center: Paintings 1919 – 1977.  March 3 – April 29, 1984.