LesleyScoble.com

I wrote my poem Virginia, in response to Melissa Lemay’s prompt for the d’Verse Poetics: Reflection. “Choose one photo / couplet pairing and let it inspire you.” I chose the photo by Andrew Ridley of red leaves against a concrete wall. Paired with the couplet by E. E. Cummings from his poem, What if a much of a which of a wind.

—when skies are hanged and oceans drowned,
The single secret will still be man

Virginia

climbing    dreaming
wandering     red
vertical lies my rock-faced bed
scaling   growing 
when all is said,
reaching    higher
to fulfil my dreams
nothing is forever
or what it seems.

sanguine leaves  
bathe in dappling sunlight—
forming a scarlet waterfall,
dripping   slipping
sipping 
like  
late summer wine
on a wall, 
the creeper vine
wending on its winding way~
entwining  
clinging   tight
to slabs of concrete
of stark cold grey.


Lesley Scoble, November 2024

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CREDITS
My thanks to:
d’Verse Poets Pub
Hosted by Melissa Lemay
Photo by Andrew Ridley

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Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; mime artist; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.