after the ice storm
Our drive in the crystal world after the ice storm reminded me of a poem I wrote years ago.
~
It is a rebellious poem (for me), written when I was entering the workforce and unwilling to be viewed from any traditional point of view. Part of the poem uses the metaphor of ‘breaking the glass ceiling’ (Marilyn Davidson and Cary Cooper. Shattering the Glass Ceiling: The Woman Manager. Paul Chapman, Pub., 1992). The poem is about an experience in 1979 of walking in a forest after an ice storm, on one of my earliest dates with my husband. Apparently I didn’t want him to think of me in any traditional role!
~
Breaking the Glass Ceiling
we still see birch
bent in the forest
broken yet grown
fifteen years
since the ice storm
years translucent
as the curtain of fir
you held back for me
I ran ahead
wanted to walk with you
but hoped you knew
how alone I could be
above me branches
burdened
with ice
your hand on my arm
go softly ! (you said)
a touch
will shatter
twigs and tree-tops
chiselled from ice
breathe
and hear a million cymbals
tied to our wrists with ribbon
I wanted to listen with you
but hoped you knew
I would never be
coins in a wishing well
a ballerina bolted to a box of jewels
goblets clinking for a kiss
I will not let you
shelter me
I know only
shards of glass
from the ceiling
(some days I am fragile
only needing warmth
to keep from breaking)
~
~
~
Copyright 2016 Jane Tims
nichepoetryandprose 
Beautiful pictures– and I enjoyed the ice storm poem and the story behind it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sheryl
April 6, 2016 at 12:30 am
Hi Sheryl. Thanks! Jane
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jane tims
April 6, 2016 at 8:08 am