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Writing a Poem AGAIN (grrrrrr!) Based on Rick’s Writing Prompt

Writing about a painting as writing prompt

Okay now, this is the third time I am writing based on Rick’s writing prompts. He is a generous soul who is contributing his paintings and creating a wonderful artist’s community around him. My anger is totally directed at myself: why am I bursting out in poems, when all I am trying to write is prose? I love poetry, don’t mistake me, even love writing about it, but  I simply don’t think writing poetry is doing any good to me at this juncture.

Well, since I have written it out, here it is. I dedicate it to Naomi, for whatever it is worth. (I apologize in advance, Naomi, in case you do not like it…:), and I hope the birth is easy)

I call it “Ripe with the Fullness of Waiting”

Ripe with the Fullness of Waiting

Our kiss was as lightning:
it joined the sun
and the earth,
in molten fire,
in blinding light.

Our love made poignant
by the slow mating
of our kindred souls,
fragile, numinous, bright,
has long settled in my womb,
taken a life of its own,
a beating heart.

I gather myself now,
wrung of thought and
drenched in longing
for those feet
that kick me from within,
I want to feel
that skin, so tender,
soft with loving,
on my cheek.

I am ripe
with the fullness of waiting,
ready for that stab of pain,
for that timeless moment
when our love will no longer
be a feeling,
ethereal, unbodied,
but a treasured face
our hands can touch.

Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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10 Comments

  • christine says:

    Your poem is wonderful, you describe the joy and pain of anticipating a birth so well. a fullsome poem.
    And you received a gift of a poem from the one you dedicated yours to. Nice to hear naomi’s poetic voice.

  • damyantig says:

    Dear Rick and Naomi,
    You are both so welcome!

    Naomi, all my good wishes and special prayers are now for you. May you be blessed with a healthy child, and have an easy labor. It is Rick we should all thank for creating such a wonderful web community, where sitting in Malaysia I can connect with you guys, across the world.

    Will be waiting for the good news, and anxiously checking your blog Rick, so keep us updated!

  • naomis says:

    Dear Damyanti — Wow! Thank you so much. What a wonderful gift. We are awaiting…and luxuriating in the anticipation…here’s an old poem I wrote for our son when he was still little…thanks so much for including me in the web community, I’ve been following and enjoying Rick’s blog and all his friends! Peace.

    BOY CHILD POEM

    Sleeping boy, heavy and sure.
    Your arms drape over my shoulders
    as we move through the dark room,
    laundry everywhere. You don’t care

    as long as I hold you. I put you down
    on the toilet seat and you sway, meditating,
    balancing on the potty. What funny words
    we use stepping up to grown. Usually

    you have something to say about a dream
    of dinosaurs or dragons or you ask
    “When can we play?” and then pull-ups
    back on one foot two feet and lift you

    back into my arms made stronger
    by your needs. Your room is cool, the bed
    holds your heft without effort, you belong
    there asleep covered with one sheet,

    your mobile turning slowly as dreams
    return. I close the door, night mama
    until the sun frames your shades awaking
    you ready for a whole new day. Come

    sit in my lap and type your favorite letter
    “B” in 24 point font. I surrender to you,
    sleep, words, rhythms, rhymes, tracing
    letters on your skin to spell this time.

  • rick mobbs says:

    It is beautiful. The baby should be coming today…

  • Kym says:

    That is a nice piece!

  • pieceofpie says:

    … our hands to touch… beautiful… it is just as you say… to see their face and not feel their feet in your belly…

  • Ovidia says:

    hey I like your poems…

    could you write about a poet? Some lovely poetry in Louise Penny’s mystery murder novels–cos she has a poet (not the main character) in them.

  • Lofter says:

    OK… I know your aggravated. But still… you’re brilliant. I’m just sayin’… 😀

  • Beautiful.

    Still think you should try writing a story in poem.