A Cool Jade Wind Will Blow

 The Sunday Muse #139

photo prompt:

 “I always sang, from the time I could make a noise. And I always wrote. I wrote little poems and at about 8 or 9, I started writing little songs.” 1970

Laura Nyro, 1947- 1997.  Surprisingly, this is the first I've heard of this song writer/recording artist, although I am familiar with some of the songs she wrote.  After an afternoon learning more about her I wrote two responses to the prompt.  I incorporated lines from her songs, which are italicized. Some poetic license was taken; don't take my words as biographical.

I Know

I know

my days are numbered

as my mother’s were.

Mourn for me, yes,

miss me when I’m gone.

Then,

scatter me beneath

the maple

where I saw leafy green springs

and red autumns.

For the trees have eyes,

to see the stars.

 

A Cool Jade Wind Will Blow

Searching for a miracle,

pearl in an oyster.

I’m so tired.

But the oyster’s just an oyster

and there ain’t no miracles.

I’m not scared of dyin’.

There’ll be music…

my lovely song.

Mama, cradle me again.

 

We go together

Through the changing seasons

Hearts afire 

 🍁    🍁    🍁    🍁    🍁    🍁    🍁    🍁    🍁    🍁    🍁    🍁

One thing that is staying with me is the tragedy of her death.  Perhaps an avoidable tragedy, in that ovarian cancer, as with breast cancer, is hereditary.  A family history of either may be a good reason to think long and hard (although not too long) and talk to a doctor about preventative surgery.  It's why Angelina Jolie had a mastectomy and removal of her ovaries and Fallopian tubes. She watched her mother die painfully from breast cancer, which also killed her grandmother and an aunt.  Laura Nyro's only child, a son, was only 19 when his mother died. 

 ©2020 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved