Please disregard my earlier inquisition about the oil painting, “Autumn,” entitled by the artist himself – Winslow Homer. I tried to convince myself on a couple spots of contrast to fit my firework message – but the painting is about glowing color, hello! My eyes were set on the crackling sparklers I saw in her collar and bows, and I had my own ideas of Samaria and America mixed up in the flow. The early story of the surprised Samaritan Woman I think I know, “I am a woman, and you are a Jew.” is the way her vocals go. In her willing, unknowing dialogue with the Messiah, he had a better hope, like letting his love for her show. Totally taken, she let go of her water jug and set her lamp aglow.

§amarican Woman

My mother showed not so long ago,
I wasn’t the only one who needed to grow
Though no secret she spoke of living in the throes,
like woman live with a man, or man live upon those

I am a woman, and you are a man,
a divided family, how shall we stand?
Come and see a man, he alone can,
never thirst again, he’s nearer than

I aroused to talk around noonish about,
but he was willing to give me a greater amount
ßuckets of water to drink at the fount I drew,
as he drew me in, to spirit and truth

Every secret he told of living in the know,
my humble spirit engaged in deepest well, hallow
A bubbling spring has sprung, but slow to come are halos
I let go of the rope and set my  lamp aglow

I feel the forest floor with fallen stems and buds,
I’m being seen in streams of kinship and love
Something new, something borrowed like a pair of gloves,
charge my heart to the Lord for a stronger hold on above

I am a woman, and you are a man,
holy matrimony, I understand
Come and see a man, he alone can,
every heart expand, he’s nearer than

~ §tacy §weeney