[Critique Group 2] hot-off-the-presses, new poem for October 29 critique session

[Alice Massa]

Dear Group 2 writer friends,

Should I keep or delete the stanza which follows the three 
asterisks--the final stanza--or should I end the poem just before the 
three asterisks?

Alice

# # #

*A Palette of Patience*

poem by Alice Jane-Marie Massa

With an autumn leaf as a palette

and a paintbrush crafted of

purple chrysanthemums and lavender,

the angel-in-waiting,

using a technique of pointillism,

paints dots of patience

onto the wings of each butterfly.

When a group of angels-in-waiting

are ready to celebrate their graduation,

they release a flutter of butterflies

to migrate to Earth.

Waiting in line, ...

Waiting for a bus, ...

Waiting for a cab, ...

Waiting for an arrival, ...

Waiting for paint to dry, ...

Waiting at a doctor's office, ...

Waiting for the dough to rise, ...

Waiting for a job offer, ...

Waiting for the light to turn green, ...

Waiting for the rain to stop, ...

Waiting for a call, ...

Waiting for the repair person, ...

Waiting for spring, ...

Did you plant some butterfly bushes?

When the butterfly took a flight path

around you,

did you not catch a little patience

as it floated off the delicate wings

of the heavenly butterfly?

No catcher's mitt,

no butterfly net required:

just open your hands,

and the patience will absorb into

a waiting heart.

* * *

One day, I remembered this story

when my Leader Dog and I were walking east toward the lake.

A lady stopped me and had to tell me:

"I have been watching you and your guide dog.

Four butterflies have been flying around her.

I think one even landed on her,

but she kept concentrating on her work."

I just smiled and thanked the pedestrian.

Then, I knew why I have

a British Black Lab--

Leader Dog Willow--

who is blessed

with a heavenly patience.

Number of words:276

Number of poetic lines:35 plus 10

Talk with you on the 29th!

Alice

October 21, 2019, Monday

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