lilies of the valley #poem #prose poem #short prose #poetry collection

author, book, fiction, Gabriela Marie Milton, poetry, poetry collection 1 Minute

I can see the woman who assumes things. Every night she picks the flowers that I throw on the road: withered lilies of the valley. She wants to be me. She wants my blood. She does not know I rearranged the bell-shaped whites so no one else can breathe their sweet scents. No one else can be me. No one else can make you, you.

The woman puts the withered flowers in her bag.

A new moon rises over her left shoulder. Bad luck.

I shiver.

I rush to protect her.

I stumble.

Before he died my father said:

If you try to do justice to the wicked, you will forget to do justice to the virtuous. And if you forget to do justice to the virtuous you only work for yourself. That is the biggest sin of all.

I have to think again.

 

My poetry collection Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings is available on Amazon here .
Passions featured in San Francisco Book Review
Passions featured in Manhattan Book Review.
image: Sandratsky Dmitriy; Shutterstock; [link]

@Gabriela Marie Milton

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Published by Gabriela Marie Milton

Gabriela Marie Milton #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author, 2019 Author of the Year at Spillwords Press NYC; internationally published poet; poetry collections Woman: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis Pres, July 27, 2021); Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis Press, April, 2020)

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172 thoughts on “lilies of the valley #poem #prose poem #short prose #poetry collection”

    1. Thank you so much David. I am so humbled by your words. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
      Gabriela 🙂

      Reply

    1. My Dearest Rene, good morning and thank you very much for your beautiful comment. You are an angel. Sending plenty of love and hugs your way.
      xoxoxo…

      Reply

  5. Absolutely magnificent and very emotional poem, touched my heart so much! ♥️♥️♥️
    I love your sublime poems!!! 😍
    I send you a very big hug full of affection and have a wonderful weekend!🤗😘🌹🌹🌹

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much my beautiful Ely. Your support and your love mean so much to me. Fresh flowers and huge hugs for you.
      Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
      xoxoxo

      Reply

  6. This is a most enigmatic and intriguing poem, Gabriela. I see the woman as being another part of you. I am not certain of this, as there are so many ways in which one could interpret this poem of yours. Kevin

    Reply

    1. My Dearest Kevin, Thank you so much for reading and for your wonderful comment. That is one of the possible interpretations: an interpretation that I love. Thank you for bringing it up. I hope everything is well with you. Stay safe. Say hello to Tiger! I hope he is doing great.

      Reply

    1. Good morning Timothy. Thank you for your words. They mean the world to me. Have a wonderful Saturday. Hugs to everyone.

      Reply

      2. I am glad to hear it’s good. It’s chilly here too, but good 🙂

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  11. Gorgeous beautiful Button. I feel this poem deeply. We all make assumptions about others and many envy things they have no true idea about. Watching, assuming, wishing to have what another cherishes. Your imagery of the moon and her overwhelming compassion is lovely, I can see it my friend. The ending a remembrance is a treasured share of blessings offered in the way of advice and love. Such a special piece Gabriela. Sending love and prayers your way. Love, Honeybun 💖🤗💕❤️😘

    Reply

    1. Good morning my dearest honeybun. Thank you so much for your beautiful comment. Your words humble me beyond. You bring so much joy in my life.
      Sending you blessings and love. During the night my sage bloomed again! Sending its sent your way. I hope you like it.
      G (Button)

      Reply

      1. I have received the lovely gift my friend. Thank you so much. Your writing is so magnificent my friend. Your uniqueness makes your words so special. Hard not to hang onto them. Love to you sweet Button. 😘💖🤗💕❤️

  12. Stark. One of the more enigmatic and fascinating pieces of yours. It’s almost chilling, yet very heartfelt. I feel the dilemma and the little details that add to the mystical sense it has.
    The fact that you see a new moon gives me the creeps. Almost as haunting as it is, the very last lines conceal innocence and that is all the beauty of this poem/prose paraphrased. I do not know what it is, but as I read it again, I feel it deeper within. Odd. Yet so satisfying.
    Hugs.

    Reply

    1. Hello, my wonderful friend. What can I say? You analysis is heavenly. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every word. I am basking in your beautiful words. I am so glad that you liked the piece, Shanyu.

      “The fact that you see a new moon gives me the creeps” I am curious. Why would that be? The new moon in text is indented to give creeps but any particular reason? Any symbol that hides behind the new moon?

      “last lines conceal innocence” Special thanks for those words. They mean a lot.

      I hope you are well my dearest friend. Exploring a new cuisine? The writings of a new poet? Let me know when you get a chance.
      Sending you LOTS OF LOVE.
      xoxoxo

      Reply

      1. Hola my friend. Is it heavenly? I thought nothing after this piece was!
        No particular reason friend. I guess I was carried away by the chill. It gave the creeps indeed, just that “seeing” a new moon( isn’t a new moon basically pitch dark against the night?) That was the thing. Not sure if I’m clear still .

        You are absolutely welcome friend. I’m currently looking into Slovakian food, but am gathering poetry inspiration. I am planning on having a horror fest. Let’s see.
        (Halloweeeeeeen!)

        Sending you love and a pre-Halloween scare.

        Love.

      2. “I thought nothing after this piece was!” As I said. You are such a charmer.
        I think you are supposed to make a wish during a new moon and the wish will become true. It’s a good sign. However, it’s something about a new moon rising over your left shoulder… some legends of bad luck coming from the British Isles.
        “I’m currently looking into Slovakian food,” Great!!!!
        “I am planning on having a horror fest. Let’s see.
        (Halloweeeeeeen!)” Aw…. I can’t wait!!!!! You made me curious. Looking forward to it!!!!!
        xoxoxo.

    1. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Eric. Still thinking? 🙂
      I hope you had/ still having a marvelous Sunday.
      Yours
      G.

      Reply

    1. Good morning Diana. My most sincere thanks for your wonderful comment. I hope you are celebrating and you are happy. You deserve plenty of accolades and love. You are great.
      xoxoxo

      Reply

  19. I second all the people who wrote that this post “made them think” – me too!

    especially this:

    If you try to do justice to the wicked, you will forget to do justice to the virtuous. And if you forget to do justice to the virtuous you only work for yourself. That is the biggest sin of all.

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much ben. You are such a good friend. I am humbled that paragraph made you think.
      May the rest of your weekend be peaceful and inspiring.

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much Punam. It means a lot to me you think so.
      I am watching your marathon this month (reading your work). You are great. Bravo!!!!!
      xoxoxo

      Reply

  24. Wickedly Beautiful and love when he rushed to protect her but died.. oh so sad but your father’s words came through for the punch line: If you try to do justice to the wicked, you will forget to do justice to the virtuous. And if you forget to do justice to the virtuous you only work for yourself. That is the biggest sin of all.
    I have to think again. ❤️🤗🤗🤗❤️❤️❤️ Cindy

    Reply

    1. Cindy, thank you so much for supporting me and for your beautiful words. I am thrilled you liked this piece even if it’s sad.
      I hope your Sunday is marvelous and you guys are enjoying every minute.
      Sending you plenty of love.
      Gabriela

      Reply

      1. You are so welcome Gabriella! It is always my pleasure. Sadness is part of life and we are only richer by it’s presence as long as we don’t let iot dominate us. Thank you so much and you as well. We are going to meet Casian. I’m now a Catma lol. You have a wonderful day as well. Big hugs and I feel the love thank you. ❤️🤗🤗❤️

      4. Congratulations! I am a cat lover so I understand your daughter. You will be a wonderful and loving Grand Catma.
        Sending love.
        xoxo

      6. My pleasure. Only one left: Maya. Monsieur Bonbon passed away a while ago.
        xoxo

  25. Your beautiful poems never cease to mesmerize me. They are always so profound and wonderfully written. Enjoyed this very much, Gabriela! 🤍✨

    Reply

    1. Sweetheart, you made me blush. Thank you for your beautiful words and for your support 🌹🌹🌹

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much Cheryl. I am humbled and grateful for your words. Enjoy the rest of your Saturday 💕 Stay safe.

      Reply

  27. Magnificent….emotional….painful….sorrow….lilies….the reflection of you in that woman…the father….justice….being true to oneself….love….deeper meaning….simply beautiful lines, dearest Gabriela 🌹 ❤️

    Reply

    1. My dearest and wonderful Navin
      You sent me an entire bouquet of compliments. Every word is a beautiful scented flower.
      Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Sending you love wrapped in silk.
      xoxoxo
      Yours
      G.

      Reply

  29. This is a beautifully written story of self-discovery. Through metaphor and nuanced phrase you open a whole world of transcendental thought. So very well written, my friend! 💕

    Reply

    1. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Brad.
      “you open a whole world of transcendental thought.” Do you care to travel with me in that world? 🙂
      Sending you hugs and love. May you be loved. May you be love.
      G.

      Reply

  30. A beautifully terrifying piece of work; cool and vivid and touching some deep dark corner…. And yes indeed; to not support and appreciate a virtuous person is as good as supporting the devil itself.

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much for your comment dear. Your words mean the world to me. Sending love.
      Gabriela

      Reply

  33. I have usually been fond of your poetry format, this one is different it’s more like your beautiful message in mixed forms like all elements of nature the air the earth and fire have been integrated. Your poetry always has a touch of poetry and you convey love and hope in the most beautiful and surrealistic way. I love the story, the form and a wonderful saying from your father. It’s an unique piece. Great work G 🙌👌🙏😊

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Ivor. That’s so sweet of you to say. I hope you are doing well and spring is beautiful.

      Reply

      1. I’m well thanks Gabriela… a lovely spring day, 24’C, here…. I’ve been extra busy, I’ve decide to a manuscript/book of my poems… Haha… here I am nearly 70, and writing my first book !!

      2. Ivor, I am glad the weather is nice and thrilled you are writing your first book of poems. Bravo, I can’t wait to read it. So what if you are 70? More power to you. I believe Louise Glück is 77 and she was just awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Now you know what are my expectations when it comes to you.
        Sending huge hugs.
        xoxo

      3. Thank you for generous and kind comments. I’ve just finished my first editing of the draft manuscript… and now I’ve a PDF copy… I would love for you to have a read, and hear what you think of my presentation…

      4. That is great!!! I will me more than happy to do it. You can contact me via my blog contact form and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
        xoxoxo

    1. Sweetheart I do not know why. It may be a glitch in the system. Your comments seems to get to me today.

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much Helene. That’s so sweet. You touched my heart.
      Sending love
      Gabriela

      Reply

      2. Aw… Katy, thank you so much sweetheart.
        Have a beautiful day.
        LOVE
        G.

  53. I love the word pictures on this poem
    The woman picking up flowers you threw in the road. The moon over her shoulder. I also loved the wisdom of your father.

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much for reading and for the love. I am deeply grateful for your beautiful words.
      xoxoxo
      Gabriela

      Reply
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