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Ruth Eleanor Feggestad Stokstad, Poet

People Are

People are
black
white
yellow
red
we paint the colors
with the brushes
of our tongues
and some colors are harsh
and pictures empty.

(Published in Lyrical Iowa 1984)

A Dead Violin

A dead violin
is rotting
into ashes of yesterday
tomorrow
a far flung child
who once listened
to the pure tones
of a life
will pluck a string
and hear the sound.

(Published in Lyrical Iowa)

Soft, Sad, Leaves

A soft leaf is
shades
slow and little
a leaf falls
still
and alone
Yet,
there are many to rake up.

The Winter Snow

The winter snow
fell reverently
as it talked
in hushed silence
and whispered loud.

A Soldier's Return

Weary
worn
face of an unknown expression
unspent years
burning in his eyes
at my
door he stood
and I bade him enter.
Slowly and with much emotion
he made known his quest.
He was searching
he said
for those who realized
he had fought in the war and died
that he loved himself
and it saddened him greatly to know
man was still full of scorn
and hate for one another.
"It was not for this I died that day"
after that, he faded away,
and, next day
marks from
his wooden leg
were not visible
on my porch.

(Published in Lyrical Iowa)

On A Fall Day

On a fall day
I saw some elm leaves
some maple, poplar
and elders
huddled together
on the ground.
They found no fault
with each other.

Pa's Brown Suit

Pa's
brown suit
was worn mostly
when
he took us to church.
When we sat with the other children
we could see
the top of his suit.
Coming back from church
there would be his suit again.
He was married and buried
in that same brown suit.

Man and the Universe

Man stands
alone
still
and afraid
but looking about
finds his shadow.

Word Came Today

Word came today
that you had passed on
so silently
I did not know of it 'til now
and I could not help
remembering
the time you said
"Ruth, you are getting better
you remembered my name"
and the time you danced
with me.
When I needed a partner.
Yes, word came today
and I could not help
remembering.

(for Dr. Max Selo)

A Flower

Oh! where is a flower
and elegant flower
of either yellow or white
for a young girl to wear
in her hair
at the wedding
of her teacher
(her colors
being yellow and white)
She needs
a white flower
for the wedding
the lovely wedding
of her teacher.

Sheila

I like wind
in my hair
and to know
when wind blows rain
and Sheila is cold.

The Third Season

Fall in its beauty
we see
trees shedding their leaves
of red and gold and brown
gardeners reluctant to gather
the last of the chrysanthemums.
We try to hold the season
in our hands
before winters' icy fingers
cover this autumn blaze
with its cold pendulum.
So young and old reach out
for it cannot be imitated.

Epitaph

A pinecone fell
to earth one day
and lay unnoticed by the throng.
Later on
as I walked by,
I saw
with branches pointing
to the sky,
a little pine tree
growing.

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