A Woman and A Dove in A Dream
On my friend’s farm, I walk in hay. Stop at the sight of a dove with a broken wing. Its feathers are stained red with blood and eyes sink in their blue sockets fighting to remain open. The sun pierces gray clouds. My fingertips stroke its oat-colored silk beak, throat parched by yellow rays. I sit by the dove in the corner of my world reciting Hafiz’s verse, your separation from God is the hardest work in this world. Just rest. Life sustaining force vanishes. And in the mauve nook of its wings, blood dries becoming darker, the red color of cherries’ flesh in June. My fingertips stroke the plumage of its crown. Both wings collapse in the hay absorbing essence of fluid from veins, arteries and dark chambers. I’m mourning a morning dove. Peace has been stained and the two of us wait for rain to cleanse our souls. My arms open to the drizzle, face in mist. Nature gives a little reprieve then it showers us with grace. My bare legs, and arms spread apart and back rest in the softest nest. A five-pointed star surrender to the universe. How did the dove know to rest its body in hay to take its last breath? In this our home we gather our strength, then hand over the heaviness onto earth’s bed.
Jerrice J Baptiste is a visual artist, poet, author of nine books. Her watercolor drawings on paper have been accepted or forthcoming in Synchronized Chaos, Las Laguna Art Gallery exhibit in California, MER, Spirit Fire Review, Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine. She’s presented her art work at The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY in 2025. She’s been featured as a solo artist at The Mountain Top Library in Tannersville, NY in 2025 & 2026. Her most recent poetry book called Coral in the Diaspora is published by Abode Press in 2024. Her poetry has been published in numerous magazines and journals, Artemis Journal, The Yale Review, Mantis, Kosmos Journal and hundreds of others.
What a journey leading to that brilliant last line. Well done!
Thanks so much Carolyn for reading my prose poem! Glad you love the journey leading to the last line!
Best wishes
Jerrice
This is definitely among my favorite of your pieces. Lines from Hafiz are a particularly wonderful addition adding layers to what is being said. Your use of color is at its best here as well. Most of all, the sense of peace that this poem evokes makes it a treasure
Thanks so much Fran for read so attentively! So thrilled you love Hafiz’s words and also the calmness of this poem!
I’m also grateful that you love my drawings here and feel they’re are at their best! Thank you so much again with so much meaningful said in a few lines.
Best wishes
Jerrice
I love “how did the dove know to rest its body in the hay for its last breath??”
I also found this was a great format for communicating a dream. A lot of times nobody wants to be sucked into someone else’s dream because it isn’t made legible to an outsider. But here, The short sentences and strong imagery worked!
The colorful child-like images were so nice, too!
Thanks so much Priscilla for reading and commenting on this poem and drawings! I agree with you that it’s hard to communicate what.we dream of but you felt the imagery here was very strong and made it tangible! Thanks for such a thoughtful & unique comment! Glad you love the colorful drawings!
Best wishes
Jerrice
Awareness is?
Thanks for asking that question BA. It’s very interesting! Thanks for visiting Synchronized Chaos Magazine!
Have a beautiful day!
Best wishes!
Jerrice
Your words paint such vivid pictures I don’t even need to close my eyes to see what you’re describing. I love the way you describe the gentle passing of the dove. I knew it was time to rest
Thanks so much Nicole for your meaningful words! I’m glad that the imagery allowed you to picture the scene clearly! Wonderful thank you!
Best wishes
Jerrice