Monday, September 18, 2006

Cleveland's Emerald Necklace
By Don Iannone

Emerald necklace--
green chain of forest being,
draped like Christmas garland
around Cleveland's shoulders.
Rich, deep, magical,
yet at times captivatingly introspective,
like a dark green Freudian slip,
worn loose and hanging below
the city's gray and blue silk dress.
As fall approaches,
and the air chills,
the jeweled necklace transforms
from just emeralds
to rubies, garnets, and golden sapphires.
And in winter,
the forest is aglow in diamonds,
sparkling bright as stars
on a clear winter night.
Every city has its gems--
Cleveland has its priceless emerald necklace.

20 comments:

Dan said...

Lucky you!

Margie said...

A beautiful poem!
A beautiful place!

Bob said...

...and gems have healing qualities.

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

Thanks Dan, Margie, and Rob.

Dan, you know from experience of what I speak. Eh?

serenity said...

I feel envious this time of year. The transition of the season with its full and vivid display is something so magical and so beautiful.

Lovely words, and I echo Dan's. Lucky you!

Blessings back to you, Don.

Kai said...

good...i like it

& thanks

Anonymous said...

a favorite. i love the personification...and:

like a dark green Freudian slip,
worn loose and hanging below
the city's gray and blue silk dress.

perfect.

Kathleen said...

Beautiful tribute to Cleveland in it's Fall and Winter colors... seen through Love's eyes...

Thanks Don...

ufukhati said...

don,

...so pure...

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

Thanks Ufukhati, Baxter, Kathleen, Serenity, and Kai.

We are blessed in Cleveland with a wonderful forest and park system that wraps around the city and the surrounding region. It is a remarkable place to find both nature and spirit.

Pat Paulk said...

Beautifully described!!

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

Thanks Pat.

QUASAR9 said...

Love Emeralds,
metaphorical emeralds,
and real ones from Colombia too.

QUASAR9 said...

Hi Don, re: "Atlantis"

I think the geological consensus is that the landmass on Earth was possibly ONE mega Continent, until wrenched assunder, and altered by Tectonic plate movements, volcanic eruptions, and the surrounding water 'parting' and becoming the Oceans we know and love

polona said...

wonderful, don!
and i, too, am lucky enough to live in a city with an emerald necklace, too.

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

Thanks Quasar and Polona.

Q...I appreciate your thoughts on Atlantis since I was about to book a flight there.

Polona...Glad your city also is draped in nature's gems.

anonymous julie said...

I do miss that part of Cleveland. Last time I visited, we went wading and skipping stones in the Rocky River... sigh...

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

Julie...ah yes, skipping stones. What a wonderful metaphor for life. Thanks Julie.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous imagery!
"Like a dark green Fredian slip"
"blue and green silk dress"
liked this personification "around Cleveland's shoulders"

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

Thanks Silvermoon. Sometimes the forest feels just like that.

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