Ali, congratulations on your first publication on Tinywords. And what an excellent, complex poem to debut here with. This deceptively simple observation has opened a deep seam of recollections, reflections, and lived emotions.
The parent in me recalls many years ago, my own daughter in her childish exuberance, smiling mouth stained from eating strawberries. But "spring desire" – ah, that phrase. This verse has now turned into a "coming of age" poem. And the powerful verb at the end of the second line has strong Biblical allusions – of "knowing" in a physical union. I am left with a wabi sense of melancholy as I reflect on the loss of innocence. Now strawberry staining can infer much more, and not just pleasure.
Reflecting too, Ali, on your Tunisian background, I see veiled girls and women and another interpretation of "all she knows" becomes possible.
Such a moving poem. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I hope we will be exploring more of your poetry here in future.
It reminds me of my own childhood, and collecting wild strawberries, sitting among the tall grasses and woods for hours and just feeling happy and good.
Congrats Ali. I am so happy to seeing you with such an astounding erotic piece. Had to read it over and over again my creative friend
–Adjei Agyei-Baah
March 29th, 2016 at 11:50 am
Lovely and tasty!
March 29th, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Ali, congratulations on your first publication on Tinywords. And what an excellent, complex poem to debut here with. This deceptively simple observation has opened a deep seam of recollections, reflections, and lived emotions.
The parent in me recalls many years ago, my own daughter in her childish exuberance, smiling mouth stained from eating strawberries. But "spring desire" – ah, that phrase. This verse has now turned into a "coming of age" poem. And the powerful verb at the end of the second line has strong Biblical allusions – of "knowing" in a physical union. I am left with a wabi sense of melancholy as I reflect on the loss of innocence. Now strawberry staining can infer much more, and not just pleasure.
Reflecting too, Ali, on your Tunisian background, I see veiled girls and women and another interpretation of "all she knows" becomes possible.
Such a moving poem. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I hope we will be exploring more of your poetry here in future.
Strider
March 29th, 2016 at 3:40 pm
Lovely!
March 29th, 2016 at 4:52 pm
It reminds me of my own childhood, and collecting wild strawberries, sitting among the tall grasses and woods for hours and just feeling happy and good.
Lovely haiku.
March 29th, 2016 at 7:54 pm
Congrats Ali. I am so happy to seeing you with such an astounding erotic piece. Had to read it over and over again my creative friend
–Adjei Agyei-Baah
March 30th, 2016 at 2:35 pm
Wrote it in book of favs. Love it.
April 9th, 2016 at 4:59 pm
I enjoyed it and wish for some…
a patch of strawberries old rashes
May 28th, 2016 at 10:42 am
Strawberries, cherries and an angel's kiss in spring…