Come Late Afternoon

By Karen Sophia Kelley

Karen Kelley's second poetry book delves into the nuanced relationship of a mother and child, using the allegory to illustrate the beauty, warmth, and love the Blessed Mother invites us all to share.

Dive into the pages of Karen Kelley's poignant poetry collection, which explores humans' profound connection with Mary, the Mother of God, an

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: Feb 6, 2024
• ISBN: 9798822921986

Karen Sophia Kelley

Karen Kelley has been an artist and writer her whole life, writing poetry and exploring many artistic media. Karen's previous publication, Under A Pink Sunrise, combines her love of biology and study of herbology into flowing poems of everyday life's beauty.Karen Kelley continues to write because she is a fountain to Jesus. His patterns, stitched connections from before time, and gifts give her good reason. Her joy is Him!

Book preview

Come Late Afternoon

Come late afternoon, the heart sets with the sun.

Many thoughts pass through each day as it gets spent.

Thoughts that brought action changed the world.

Mother waits and wonders where every loved one went.

That heart of mother, such a hardy deep bucket.

A natural nest for the precious of tomorrow.

Within her arms, so hungry for life, she drew one

Her tender touch, expanding love that dispelled sorrow.

We needed that glow of her smiling face.

Her kindness toward Dad, as she taught true grace.

Sharing Dad, feeding our lives, setting the table well.

When I needed change, she stood by at her place.

Today, my wide, echoing heart looks out the window,

following a sinking sun on a giant bank of memory.

Looking back at misunderstood moments, despite them,

my mind is so sure of gratitude for delivery.

Precious, the father who provided her seed.

And that she could make me out of days and belly hugs.

Unearned reward; fed and carried, that she loved.

No matter how heavy I was, she lugged.

Though fortunate to have received it all,

her example taught me well, so life-success.

Come late afternoon, yearning for the warmth,

immersed in glowing recollection is only second best.

First is her, the source of me, the child dreamed.

Her efforts and bravery, undervalued, misunderstood.

I understand well and thank God for sunsets.

Late afternoon became twilight’s gold after childhood.

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; Before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)

The Gold Standard

I arrived inside a golden light.

Her body gave, I took and grew.

Soul expands by God’s dimension.

His plan, my very essence knew.

This body, soft, yet solid life.

A spirit glowed and soon discovered,

aspiration grew each spark.

Some are lost, some recovered.

Souls connect as golden light

wanes, tinted by aging cost.

But gain is realized very well.

True gain cannot be lost.

The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which He planted. (Psalm 104:16)

The Cave of Space

Mother earth was first to womb.

Within birthed crystal and gold from sod.

After gems came plants and flowers,

created step by step, a parent’s royal job.

Then flower wombs gave birth to sugar.

Come beasts to spread the treasure.

God filled the land and every cave

with life, infant hopes without measure.

His children born to serve His heart

within the cage given, defining,

the home of free will, personality.

Every aspect of life, His timing.

His goal, to fill caves with