Submitted by Ronald E. Shields
Inspired by Mary Ann Willson
Patience drove the mule,
breaking furrows to sow
their lover’s dreams in stony ground.
Her hands molded to the
curves of wheel and plow,
molded to the sweep of Sarah’s waist.
Sarah saw the world clear.
Her eyes and artist’s brush
painted her vision
with the sweet-light of a setting sun
and the ash-soft glow of moonlit fog.
Born to walk awhile under a different sky,
these women crossed the earth like water.
Made no secret of what was between them.
Bound in the intimacy of winter light,
fragrance in summer shade
where mysterious sparks reveal themselves,
a rare benediction to the full flush of passion
within the tumult of sisterhood.
Photo credit: Woman at the Garden – Renoir
For the first time in nearly five years, Vita Brevis is closed for submission. Read the full story here.
Vita Brevis Press. 
Thank you for featuring my poem. I love the picture you have chosen, it’s perfect.
We put a great deal of thought into the paintings we choose–we’re glad you felt this one fit!
We look forward to working with you in the future–your style is excellent!
Likewise, I like your style too.
Beautiful poem!
Thank you.
I like the repetition of curves and sweeps in the first part of the poem; it gives the words movement, and there is a lovely cadence to these lines:
‘Born to walk awhile under a different sky,
these women crossed the earth like water.’
Thank you Jane.