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Open Poetry #49
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Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity

0 posted 2015-12-20 12:20 PM






Mother worried when she heard
the church clock chiming at noon,
as the man she loved,
her second husband,
had not yet come home
from gathering wood.

As she was busy in the kitchen
she sent me to go look for him.
She gave me instructions
as to the path I should take.
She doubted not my pleasure
and courage in doing so.
I was her brave girl.

The walk was all uphill.
Out of breath I entered
the mysterious forest.
Unnatural silence reigned.
Why are the birds mute I thought
while cautiously moving closer
to the spot where he was meant to be.

Then I heard a cracking noise
and saw him breaking a dry branch.
“Father” I shouted from a distance
forcing myself to pronounce that name.
“Why do you act like a timid fawn?
Come here” he yelled, smiling.
“I'll go tell Mother
that you are fine, she is worried”.
Without waiting for a reply,
I turned around and ran
like a fleeing prey.

Mother was grateful.
She had more reasons for that
than she would ever guess.
I felt it was my duty
to protect her
from committing a crime.
I remained as silent
as the forest and learned
to run faster.


*

© Copyright 2015 Margherita Rueger - All Rights Reserved
ice
Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404
Pennsylvania
1 posted 2015-12-20 12:36 PM


Trying to solve the mystery in this one, M...will read again later.


"Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance."
Carl Sandburg

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
2 posted 2015-12-20 03:09 PM


No mystery to me, of course I could be wrong, and then it would indeed be a mystery.

~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~

DaysofView
Member
since 2014-04-01
Posts 433
Just A Slice Of The Pie
3 posted 2015-12-20 07:43 PM


Very pretty picture! I like the story about you going to see your dad at work. I don't know about the crime though, but if you stopped here form doing one, it must have been a beaut! Maybe she wanted to kill herself and in some places that's a crime. But how do you get punished for that?

It was just a thought which made them run. It was just an act that killed them.

Pete_W
Member
Posts 185
Scotland (UK)
4 posted 2015-12-20 11:11 PM


The "crime" might be misdirection but at the moment I'm thinking stepfather, a daughter who doesn't get on with him and a mother who may see her daughter more as an impediment to marital bliss. Not sure though. Enjoyed reading this.
Thanks
Pete

rainyday
Member
Posts 304
Heartland USA
5 posted 2015-12-21 12:15 PM


M, I believe I understand what is meant here, ominous indeed.

Good to read you..

rainy

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
6 posted 2015-12-21 04:29 AM


Dear Ford, thank you for reading and trying to solve the mystery. As the write is quite obviously about a delicate theme, I did not want to say too much, but still I thought the truth came across clearly. I was ten when my Mom married for the second time, she was a widow and so was he. My Mom was a wonderful Mom, she loved me and my brother with all of her heart and dedicated her life to provide for us and protect us from whatever harm and pain... and she trusted that man, who was not trustworthy. The problems that this relationship caused have signed my life. As I say at the end of my write, I learned to run faster to avoid ominous situations. .... and I have long since forgiven, but not forgotten.

Dear Jerry, thank you for your comment, I am positive you understood what I tried to convey. It was sort of cathartic. Reading somewhere of the woods I felt like "going back" in time.

Dear Stacy Lynn, thank you for your kind comment here. I agree that the picture looks peaceful, but then as I say the forest can also be insidious! It depends on the encounters you make there ... The risk of a crime refers to what my mother would have done had she known about the "inclinations" of my stepfather. She loved me so much, that whoever tried to harm me, would have been at risk of coping with her rage and vengeance.

Dear Pete, thank you for reading and commenting on this somewhat mysterious write. From what I have already clarified above you will see that you centered the basic problem no doubt. But my beloved Mom's priority was her children's wellbeing and that's why she would not have tolerated who affected our lives negatively. I remained silent to avoid her the pain.

Dear Jan, thank you so much, your feminine intuition and sensitivity allowed you to get the story I am sure. Sadly, such situations are less rare than one might suspect! In my case I learned quickly to avoid the danger, but still the experience was heavy on me. I had a wonderful relationship with my Mother and I shared everything with her, except this one thing, because I feared the consequences, first of all her terrible pain ...

Thank you all for the patience to read this.
Love and peace.
Margherita


ice
Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404
Pennsylvania
7 posted 2015-12-21 08:09 PM


OK, M, it can remin a mystery.....:-)
My poetry mentor told me that there was much more to a poem than its theme, or explainable content...She said that I should look for form, and flow..how the poem falls from the human lips as lyrical..even though you hide some in this poem, you have met her requirements.

"Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance."
Carl Sandburg

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
8 posted 2015-12-21 08:38 PM


Margerita,I just happened in this evening.I have not been here in a while.I also realized your plight.Way back in the archives there is a whole page or two written(a small volume) and should one day be printed into a book about this very problem.You are not alone. I was very taken by the number of women in PIP who were at last able to tell their story. I was so fortunate never to have even heard of such problems and was woken up to life as others had to face it. much love to you. I hope this story has helped you. Getting such out into the open is a great release. Best to you ,Jo
Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
9 posted 2015-12-22 06:13 AM


Dear Ford, I agree with your poetry mentor. For me too the "tune" is extremely important, I have to hear it to be content, though one is never totally satisfied with one's work I think. Anyway, thank you for coming back and for your kind observations.

Dear Martyjo, thank you so much for your kind understanding and comment. Yes, me too, I remember that thread, it was started by our dear Karen/Serenity and that was the first time I ever wrote about this experience, encouraged by her. My goodness, that initiative was indeed very cathartic, as we opened up and were somehow comforted in exchanging our stories, in poetic form. Too many women have to cope with such traumas, as you say!! Thank you again! Hugs.

Love and peace.
Margherita

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
10 posted 2015-12-25 08:35 PM


a most interesting 'write' and grand-lovely photo-image as well !
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
11 posted 2015-12-26 03:11 AM


Oh Margherita, this is such a common theme in so many lives. you must be very strong and forgiving to be the person you are. My mother had a similar experience.
                              Love, Ida

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
12 posted 2015-12-26 05:35 AM


Thank you, dear Bruce, for reading here and for your kind comment.

Dear Ida, I just yesterday thought that it was quite some time since I last "met" you on the blue pages and here you are now and it pleases me. Thank you so much for your compassionate words. The consequences of having this disturbing (and disturbed) person in my life were felt for a long time, until I was able to forgive. I broke up many love stories, because I didn't tolerate to be touched, not even tenderly. It's a sad situation for far too many girls. And most of them probably due to a feeling of shame do not talk about it.

Peace and joy.
Margherita

"Love is the One who masters all things;
I am mastered totally by Love."
(Rumi)

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
13 posted 2015-12-28 07:51 PM


Nice writing...if writing of this helps you you have done a kind act for yourself...james
Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
14 posted 2016-01-03 12:51 PM


Thank you, dear James, for your kind comment. There are those moments when we feel it's ok to write about memories which we never succeed in letting go totally.

Margherita

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