Ekphrasis of a Vase of Carnations

Vase of Carnations, oils on canvas by A. Chida

You carnations in foster care
Sit splendid in a dwelling where
Your newfound sibling baby breaths
Come forth to decorate your hair;

Like golden pheasants flocking free
Beneath a mercy cherry tree,
Whose fruit descend the leafy steps
In schools of seahorse company.

But for the pheasants fallen dead,
I'd call these creatures heaven-bred,
For how these walls of glass reflect
The heads of children tucked in bed.

In Loss - Part 2

You took away my wealth and home,
My car, my work, my every gain,
You said you care about me, but
I doubt you even feel my pain.

Ordaining with your know-it-all
Demeanor to enrich my brain,
I trusted all my friends but you
Divided us till none remains.

Remember, at the school that day
Could you not stop the stranger who
Took everything away from me?
Was that the best that you could do?

And as I live your complex plan
You sit upon your throne so high
And watch me make my many slips
Until the very day I die.

I think about the wealth I lost,
My pleasures that you took away,
Your knowledge and your power that
Shall hold me to each word I say.

But when my day on earth is done,
With time and all its children dead,
Will I be in your loving arms
And sorry for the things I said?

I'll never think those things again;
I feel so little when I see
How you bestow your love upon
An undeserving soul like me.

In Loss - Part 1

You took away my m-and-m's,
My snickers, and my candy cane,
You said you care about me, but
I doubt you even feel my pain.

You came in with your know-it-all
Demeanor to enrich my brain,
To turn the television off
While on it all my friends remain.

Remember, at the hospital,
You showed you had no feelings when
You chose to simply stand aside
And watch a stranger prick my skin.

And then you hatched a complex plot
And sat back just to watch the show
Enjoying my mistakes and slips,
All just to say you told me so.

I hated you for all I lost,
My pleasures that you took away,
Your know-it-all demeanor, and
Correcting every word I say.

But when I cuddle up in bed
With Goodnight Moon upon your chest,
I'm cozy in your loving arms
And sorry for the things I said.

I'll never think those things again;
I feel so little when I see
How you bestow your love upon
An undeserving soul like me.