FINDING HER HERE, by Jane Relaford Brown – A Poem on Aging
A ran across this poem – Finding Her Here – the other day and wanted to share it with you. It sums up so beautifully what so many of us are experiencing as we accumulate years. I hope you enjoy it! DS
FINDING HER HERE by Jayne Relaford Brown
I am becoming the woman I’ve wanted,
grey at the temples,
soft body, delighted,
cracked up by life
with a laugh that’s known bitter,
but, past it, got better,
knows she’s a survivor—
that whatever comes,
she can outlast it.
I am becoming a deep
weathered basket.
I am becoming the woman I’ve longed for,
the motherly lover
with arms strong and tender,
the growing-up daughter
who blushes surprises.
I am becoming full moons
and sunrises.
I find her becoming,
this woman I’ve wanted,
who knows she’ll encompass,
who knows she’s sufficient,
knows where she’s going
and travels with passion.
Who remembers she’s precious,
yet not at all scarce—
who knows she is plenty,
plenty to share.
This poem is from the author’s book of poems:
My First Real Tree – a 68 page paperback, hand-sewn, with flat spine – $14.00 available for purchase on the publisher’s website, FootHillsPublishing.com.
Jayne Relaford Brown received an MFA in Creative Writing from San Diego
State University and teaches writing at Penn State Berks-Lehigh Valley
College. She lives near Kutztown, Pennsylvania with her partner of fifteen
years.
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6 Comments
Marian Beaman
Very soon I will be featuring a post about a cracked pot. A line from the first poem would fit just perfectly. I may borrow it, or better yet provide a link to your post here.
Thank you for Brown’s poem and the fantastic art.
Dorothy Sander
Great! Keep me posted!
Kim
Beautiful and inspiring!
dgkaye
I loved this Dorothy! 🙂
Mary Matthews
Years ago I had a framed picture with the poem “Finding Her here”. Mine was stolen from a storage unit and I’d like to replace it. Can you tell me where I can purchase art on this poem? Thank you,
Mary Matthews
Mary Matthews
The photo which goes with “Finding her Here” https://growingyoungereachday.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/i-am-becoming-the-woman.jpg?w=529
I used to have this and it hung in my bedroom to show myself each and everyday that I am enough.
Unfortunately, during one of my moves it was lost/stolen, not really sure, but I’ve looked for years to where I might purchase this again. Mine had the above image with the poem kind of as a watermark and mounted on a beautiful wooded plaque.
Does anyone know a website where I can purchase this?