Saturday, March 2, 2013

Ford's Theater

The prompt for Sunday Scribblings is MOMENT



MARY LINCOLN AT FORD'S THEATER

She sat there, loving, petulant, unwise,
by him whose giant shadow through the age
would cast its knobby shape on history's page.
She smoothed her gown, her modish beaded prize
and leaned against him, but demurred aloud,
"What will they think?"  "Why nothing," he replied.
Sad prisoner of herself, her boundaries set
at margins of her days, yet her command
could compass his great heart, whose unreined power
had freed the burdened slave; he brooded yet
over the bleeding rift that cleft his land.
Her plump ringed hand held his a final hour.
                                                   Phyllis Sterling Smith

15 comments:

Annie Jeffries said...

Darkly romantic. Somber. Historic.

George S Batty said...

beautiful words from a beautiful lady...you will love him for all eternity.

Old Egg said...

It is a tragically beautiful moment to be with and hold a person at their dying, comfort for both of you.

alan1704 said...

lovely words, well crafted and full of emotion. it was darkly romatic

Jae Rose said...

The worst prison is the one inside your head..gentle and at the same time powerful verse..

Altonian said...

Beautifully crafted romantic poem.

Keith's Ramblings said...

So tender. What beautiful words.

Berowne said...

Well done, and quite moving...

LLM Calling said...

moving, tender and passionate

Voices of NLD said...

Sad prisoner of herself, her boundaries set
at margins of her days, yet her command
could compass his great heart,

Perfect description. And perfect portrayal of a woman spending her last moments with her man yet not knowing it

Nothing cloying or sweet in this yet oh so romantic

Of course I picture Sally Field...

I know the endless loop we play in our heads after losing somebody to sudden violent death. I can't imagine it being a spouse

Voices of NLD said...

Sad prisoner of herself, her boundaries set
at margins of her days, yet her command
could compass his great heart,

Perfect description. And perfect portrayal of a woman spending her last moments with her man yet not knowing it

Nothing cloying or sweet in this yet oh so romantic

Of course I picture Sally Field...

I know the endless loop we play in our heads after losing somebody to sudden violent death. I can't imagine it being a spouse

totomai said...

eternal flame of love will continue to burn.

tragically romantic

Belva Rae Staples said...

This is so well done. Mary Lincoln was a sad, demented creature, but the love those two shared shines through this piece.

Madeleine Begun Kane said...

So poignant and well done.
Madeleine Begun Kane

Josie Two Shoes said...

A most excellent poem with a wonderful perspective! History recorded the rest of the tale.