Friday, November 4, 2016

Asphalt Petunia--By Michael Escoubas--United States

Asphalt Petunia

The simplest things
seem most amazing.
In my morning rush
I almost missed you
rising up and out
of your black tar
prison, drinking sun
defiant of limitations
fighting for life
rooting through poison
finding in cracked earth
just enough support
to live, to thrive, sending
a soft message in
a hard world to
a heart in need.

After retiring from a 48-year career in the printing industry in 2013, Michael Escoubas began writing poetry for publication. His study of and interest in poetry goes back some 30 years. During this time, he studied classical and modern poets learning from their works and from critics who comment about them. Michael writes poetry in part because his mother once said, “You have a gift for words; you should do something with that gift.”

17 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed this Michael, thanks for sharing it.

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  2. Dear Peggy,
    Couldn't be more pleased that you noticed and took time to comment.
    Blessings,
    Michael

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  3. Michael, you artistically put into words the 1/2 thought that brings a smile to so many every day! BRAVO! james marshall goff

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    1. Dear Cap'n "B"
      Appreciate so much your noticing and responding--I took a picture of this brave petunia which I observed on my morning walk last June. I thought: a lot of people resemble this flower seemingly flourishing against all odds. The poem fell out of me onto paper.
      Cheers!
      Michael

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  4. Thanks, Michael, for your light touch in putting your temptation to kindness into words: "...a soft message in a hard world..."

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    1. Dear Rick,
      Thank you, this poem is one of my favorites, and I think, captures something special about the world and life. Dare I say it, "poetry is everywhere!"
      Michael

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  5. These words offer thanksgiving for the simplest of nature growing, even thriving, within mankind's hard earth and non-caring covers. Yet, a person noticed and was the happier for it. There is hope.

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    1. Dear Barbara,
      I believe poetry can/does bring people together, and when that happens, there IS hope.
      Blessings,
      Michael

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    2. A lovely poem about how beauty can be found in surprising places if we will look as you did. Thanks

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    3. Dear J T,
      Yes, this fragile, yet tough plant truly was beautiful.
      Thank you.
      Michael

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  6. A beautiful poem, Michael. Beauty is all around us and we often miss it by rushing or having something else on our mind.
    When we do stop and see, there is something like job that rises within. Thank you.

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    1. Dear Jo
      So pleased for your comment.
      I agree
      this heroic flower met a need in a moment in time
      when I needed to turn my mind in a new direction.
      Blessings

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  7. Michael, this beautiful poem reveals your divine connection with nature. Once was when I was in Santa Rosa I saw a poppy growing out of a crack in the sidewalk and I had to take its picture too.
    It is lovely to meet a kindred spirit. I enjoyed your lovely poem. BLessings,Connie

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    1. Dear Connie,
      Perhaps God sent a message to you as I think He did in my life--how often are "caught unawares" by those things we might otherwise brush aside as trivial!?!?

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  8. I love your poem, Michael! I particularly liked the last two lines, so intense and meaningful. Thanks for sharing this.

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    1. Dear Claudia,
      I enjoyed your contribution to Whispers too. So the blessings are mutual!
      Cheers,
      Michael

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  9. Michael, your poem is amazing. It draws the reader in with its passion and deep imagery. A very nice selection. Thank you for sharing it and continued blessings!

    -MJ (www.tgbtgpublictions.com)

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