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Amaryllis
Senior Member

since 2010-05-20

Posts 1306
Mi now

0 posted 2011-03-29 03:06 AM

It`s the soft lead weight of
an invite,
dropped heavy into the solar plexus-
or those moments by the produce,
reddened by surprise, and all
the small talk, then-
grinding like rusted cogs and
stuttered mutterings, those
square-wheeled sloth-gait
minutes that
just
won`t
end

.

and too, it`s also noontimes-
a home-packed turkey on rye,
savored in a quiet
SUV interior,
none but a jay and starling
pecking the asphalt
for company,
as the team jostles by
on their proper-clad
chattering path
to power lunch

.

It`s those who know
the Mona Lisa`s smile
was no big enigma-
who see it every week
in their own mirror,
not smug, nor secret dalliance
at all,
but simple shyness, social
inability
captured eternal, lauded,
misinterpreted.

.

Sometimes their eyes may meet,
those who understand-
who too inhabit places of
steel uncertainty,
of
choosing to sit with
the back to the crowd,
of deep allegeiance to the
gift of voice mail; caller i.d.,
of
ridiculous nerves before
the teacher`s conference,
sunglasses and magical bags
that always hold something hidden,
to be mined in earnest when
a pair of eyes
are threatening like jackals
that, when the lion eats his fill,
dart in to snap and steal,
and even a silly prarie hen
knows to hide and flatten,
letting her herringbone feathers
meld her with the earth.

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

1 posted 2011-03-29 03:40 AM

Wow, you really captured my full attention, with this psychologically refined piece of poetry, dear Amaryllis. Something to read and enjoy more than once!

So good to have you back sharing your talent.

Love,
Margherita

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

2 posted 2011-03-29 08:06 AM

Hey! Hey! Hey! What a wild, almost seems to be and LSD-influenced piece, although I am quite sure it isn't. Still, the "far-out" and "cool" is present and accounted for within the structure of this happy-to-read diverse poem. Very well-written and thought out.

~ OK, so what's the speed of dark? ~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius

since 2009-10-10

Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere

3 posted 2011-03-29 08:45 AM

Thank you for the insight! Quiet people make me nervous because I never know what they are thinking...till now. This is really wonderful. Thanks again for shareing.
Lori

Amaryllis
Senior Member

since 2010-05-20

Posts 1306
Mi now

4 posted 2011-03-29 02:21 PM

Thank you, Margherita...yes it`s good to throw out a few words once again! I`ve missed poetry; haven`t done much reading or writing of lately (busy, we moved to a new place, etc etc) yet it`s always waiting in the wings, thankfully!

.
Hi Jerry~ thanks for the comments and ha! Yes I can see how you`d get that feel from this one, for sure!

...though yes I was attempting to portray a crippling shyness/social phobia within metaphorical vehicle here & there. I suffer a mild form of it myself, and have been researching jobs suited to introverts...and so was inspired (fascinated, in a way) to write this one.

.
Thank you, Lori~ and I am in constant amazement at self-assured, confident, outgoing persons!

So it goes both ways

Thanks for your kind words for my ramblings.

~Am

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

5 posted 2011-03-29 02:29 PM

Amaryllis, yet another sensitive and beautiful masterpiece of yours! I feel as though I have tiptoed down the pathways of your mind, not as an intruder, but an invited guest. Thank you for the invitation. It was most gratefully received and greatly appreciated and with awe. I meandered slowly, stopping to admire the images and the detailed and wise observations I found on the way.

I found Lori’s reply particularly interesting too.

Owl

Amaryllis
Senior Member

since 2010-05-20

Posts 1306
Mi now

6 posted 2011-03-29 02:48 PM

Oh thank you, Owl~ you are always so perceptive, and it`s a pleasure to read your comments (and your poetry!)

I like the still waters that run deep, and forget that some may find it uncomfortable, so yes Lori`s comment was interesting indeed

Thanks agin for your kind words~

.
Amaryllis

Alison

Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-27

Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!

7 posted 2011-03-29 10:54 PM

Amary,

I am coming back to read again. I am reading such fine poetry tonight and this is one high on my list of keepers. I love the flow and the way you weave your words. I am coming back to read again.

A

Amaryllis
Senior Member

since 2010-05-20

Posts 1306
Mi now

8 posted 2011-03-29 11:52 PM

Thank you, Alison...that`s so uplifting!

Your friend~
A

Klassy Lassy
Member Elite

since 2005-06-28

Posts 2187
Oregon

9 posted 2011-03-30 12:06 PM

What wisdom winds it's quiet rite through your words, and marvelously so! It is the quiet ones who may seem unobtrusive that carry the Mona Lisa smile, because they do know that how she appears is not necessarily how she is.  Of course, there are always those who are shy, but then there are those people, too who are just amused at social frivolity, and sit back laughing to themselves. I get that feeling when I look at the Mona Lisa.

It's the last stanza, the one with the angst and trepidation of being put on the spot that makes me smile out the other side of my mouth.  One time I had to go see a teacher about one of my children who was not participating in her kindergarten class. The teacher said she thought the child would rather slip through cracks in the floor. She never raised her hand to answer questions nor wanted to participate in Show and Tell.  The teacher was concerned.  So I asked my little daughter, "Why don't you share?  Are you afraid, or maybe you don't know the right answers?"  She pulled her little frame up tall and jutted out her chin.  "I know all the answers," she said, defiantly. "It just ain't any fun!"

You made me remember.

Amaryllis
Senior Member

since 2010-05-20

Posts 1306
Mi now

10 posted 2011-03-30 12:29 PM

Thank you so much, Klassy, and oh yes, kindergartners know their own minds, to be sure! That`s an adorable memory, and I`d bet that`s one gal who is blessed with true grit to this day

Thanks for sharing it with us.

Best~
Amaryllis

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

11 posted 2011-03-30 12:46 PM

Came back to enjoy this again.

I love Karen's reply, both her exquisite and sensitive understanding of your poem and the absolutely delightful kindergarten story. What a wise little girl that was, and like you Amaryllis, as you said in your wise and understanding response, I believe that that little girl already knew exactly who she is, and always will.

Owl

Amaryllis
Senior Member

since 2010-05-20

Posts 1306
Mi now

12 posted 2011-03-30 01:35 AM

Thanks again Owl, and I completely agree

A

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

13 posted 2011-03-30 03:48 PM

Wow! Starting reading and had to look over my shoulder - thought sure you were looking at me as you wrote...

Very, very well expressed/written, my friend..

j.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

14 posted 2011-03-30 04:00 PM

I do believe you were in my mirror,
dear Amaryllis.

I could have written this one...
but since I didn't, I'm very glad
you did.

We introverts are very interesting people,
aren't we?

Amaryllis
Senior Member

since 2010-05-20

Posts 1306
Mi now

15 posted 2011-03-31 12:05 PM

Thank you, J, and Sunshine... yes I know those who `know` will get this seeming-random poem

Thank you both for your reply!

A

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

16 posted 2011-04-02 01:24 PM

Being a bit of an introvert myself, I completely understand the thought behind this unique and special poem.
Ida

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-29

Posts 7115
South Africa

17 posted 2011-04-02 04:14 PM

Well, I think you can stand up tall and be counted for having written such an in-depth poem. Wonderful write! I think a lot of the time introverts are just very private people not willing to share with - ok, let's say it - the "undeserving".

Helen

easy1
Senior Member

since 2010-05-22

Posts 1209
Southeastern USA

18 posted 2011-04-04 02:00 PM

Interesting, well-written... Your words remind me again of Athos's glance to d'Artagnan. But, be that as it may, I have lived some of what you so artfully describe, and can sympathize somewhat.

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