Fragile

This morning,
I cradled empty eggshells
in the palm of my hand
where they rested:
smooth
fragile
broken.

I touched one of the points
of their jagged edges
and then
lay them gently
on a soft
white
kitchen
towel.

Midwinter sun
filtered through clouds—
through windowpanes streaked by rain—
shed muted light
on silent mourning.

* * * * *

Image and poem by Ann Kroeker

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  • Comments

    1. Eggshells — a graphic reminder of how fragile we all are.

    2. Mourning with you, Ann.

    3. Linda Bannister says:

      Simply beautiful Ann. So evocative of our complex feelings today.

    4. A poem, Ann! And a good one.

      P.S. You crack eggs like I do.

    5. I love this poem. Its empty places, structurally, echo the emptiness of the stark language, which echoes the the meaning of the words themselves.

      Write more poetry, Ann? Please? :)

      • annkroeker says:

        I’m a bit shy, you know. I need people like you to model and inspire it, and to point out what works (like you just did).

    6. Beautiful, Ann. Very poignant.

      Janis

    7. Beautiful, Ann. Finding myself empty of words and grateful for yours.

    8. Our lives are but a vapor – so fragil!

      Loved this one!

    9. I think I like this poem in present tense better:

      This morning,
      I cradle empty eggshells
      in the palm of my hand
      where they rest:
      smooth
      fragile
      broken.

      I touch one of the points
      of their jagged edges
      and then
      lay them gently
      on a soft
      white
      kitchen
      towel.

      Midwinter sun
      filtered through clouds—
      through windowpanes streaked by rain—
      sheds muted light
      on silent mourning.

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