written in response to this image
Dementia: The Flood of Time
Now in old age,
She had vague recollections of
Summering in the tropical paradise
That was her grandfather’s beachside estate,
Of sitting atop the first story
Of the long and winding concrete staircase
From the courtyard to the main house
After the summer typhoons would come,
Depositing a deluge of rain,
The resulting flood waters
Receding slowly,
And dipping her feet into the salty ocean water
Left behind by the monstrous storms,
Wondering at what secrets
Were swimming just below the surface –
Turtles, rays, eels,
Perhaps a hidden love affair
The romantic teen in her used to dream.
Over time, though, those memories ebbed,
Becoming watery and unclear,
Leaving her grasping desperately
At what little remained,
As though seeking refuge in her head,
Clinging to to her memories
Amidst the ongoing flood of time.
by Rose Menyon Heflin
Rose Menyon Heflin is an emerging poet from Wisconsin. She is also an avid artist and photographer who loves nature. Her camera is named Nessie after the Loch Ness Monster, and her machete is named Carmen after the opera protagonist. Among other venues, her work has recently been published or is forthcoming in Bramble, Eastern Structures, Haikuniverse, The Light Ekphrastic, Plum Tree Tavern, Red Alder Review, Three Line Poetry, Visual Verse, and The Writers Club.
On Writing Prompts
I enjoy writing from prompts for a number of reasons. First, the constraints imposed can be challenging, and I do so love a good challenge. Secondly, in a paralyzed world where we are all vulnerable, I value the sense of power I get from creating a piece of work from something so inorganic and external; it makes me feel as though I can manipulate and control the situation, unlike with more innate, naturally flowing poetry, which leaves an equally desirable, but wholly different, feeling of silky smoothness and satisfaction. Lastly, writing from prompts helps to get the creative juices flowing for the rest of the day.
This piece was sparked by the 2020 Writing Exercise Series #343: Ekphrastic Flood 18 which was to write a piece based on this image by Finland-based artist Heikala.
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