The Nymph Will Not Wilt, Poem 4: A Found Path

The final poem in this fantasy poetry project

This is the final poem in a fantastical poetry series called ‘The Nymph Will Not Wilt’. It features a mythical nymph-like figure who embodies all the beautiful aspects of nature. Her charm is something that’s admired for its youthfulness and vitality, but as all things touched by time, she, too, will have to face the idea of mortality.

If you have followed this project so far, I really hope you’ve enjoyed it. Below, you’ll also find my thoughts about it. If you haven’t read it yet:

Start with the first poem here:

The Nymph Will Not Wilt, Poem 1: Youth

---

Landscape with Rainbow, Robert S. Duncanson (1859)

The Nymph Will Not Wilt, Poem 4: A Found Path / Zeta Ferrer

Disrobing the first sunrise
and touching the bones of the earth –
taking in a new calling to walk

along the paths of the dried creek,
observing stubborn tendrils growing,
vines woven up firmly-rooted trees.

She knows their names now,
and overhead, the names of the birds too.
She can call upon the rain
not with her beauty, but with words

echoing lightly, reverberating
as they caress all hearts and souls.
She can cry with the earth;
gentle trickling of water drops.

From her palm springs a rainbow
of all the colours she could be.
So much more, boundless,
a free soul on the verge

of finality, but also rebirth.
A new magic of purpose –
passion more beautiful
than the brief veil of youth.

---

My final thoughts:

Phew, that has been quite a journey, hasn’t it?

I’ve been initially inspired to write this poem series because of a prevalent trend I’ve noticed in young people, especially young women obsessing over the concept of aging and worrying about losing their attractiveness. I’ve seen very young girls having a 10-step skin care routine, people barely entering their twenties calling themselves ‘old’, and women lamenting an age after which they supposedly become less attractive.

All of those made me want to put my feelings into words. Why do we define beauty through the lens of youthfulness? In fact, when we’re young, we can be so foolish, and as we learn to know ourselves better, we grow to be so much more attractive. Our presence becomes so much more noticeable and vibrant, not to mention that our looks don’t change that drastically, even. We just look, well, “normal”.

The more time passes, the more opportunities we have to grow and learn, too. There is a “finish line”, sure – there is no way to stop the clock – but the longer we are on our life path, the more we get to grow into who we are.

Our bodies are just the part that allows us to be here and experience life, and it pains me to see it being such a focal point for some people.

I tried to express various emotions and states through these poems and talk about these things to the best of my ability. I don’t think that even the most beautiful creature really has a ‘wilting’ time. It’s like nature with its seasons; all beautiful. Our paths are too complex to define through the lens of youth.

Beauty is not just in the eye of the beholder, it’s not just in the control that comes with desire, it’s not fleeting – it’s our whole person. I hope I was able to express that with these four poems.

---

Thank you so much for reading and following along 💛

Ink Marks & Paper Clumps is only possible through the generosity and excitement of others. Consider supporting by liking, subscribing or leaving a comment if you enjoyed my work.

You can also support my efforts directly through a Ko-fi subscription or a one-time donation.