Open Poetry #47 |
Siren Song |
Nicole Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835Florida |
what could i have said Aryan beauty... that your mouth speaking reminds me of the dead-child pond i played in, cast in the shadow of a saint. where i pulled out frog eggs; my mouth "Oh", like life marveling at it in my small hands. that i lived in your hair like corn-silk, and smelling like a child. i will never forget the hair brush; red, with a black handle- stiff bristles like teeth that would bite the backs of my thighs i know that the sounds of birds, of an airplane echoing far overhead reminds me of the summers in that house. but you were beautiful when you laughed... with your head back, your hands so delicate and white, fingers resting on your collarbone your laughter was a river, burbling and chuckling over stones. we were on the banks then as grass, reaching for you and oh how i cried, fat ugly tears throwing my heart like waves, to mix with the mud at your feet. we will never have the days, sharing secrets like treasures hiding behind our hands like children, giggling or the unspoken bond of maternity; the legacy is dead, there is no wisdom to bestow... only the night, and your incessant wailing a siren, dragging us to your cliffs. |
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© Copyright 2011 Nicole Williams - All Rights Reserved | |||
Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
This is very good. I am going to come back and read it again. I am stuck by the imagry and, I swear that I can feel that hairbrush on the back of my thighs. Thank you for sharing. Alison |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Nicole, there are so many levels of poem in this, that I look forward to a longer, deeper read this evening... I'll be back. |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
This is quite powerful, Nicole. The pain is evident, but so is the love. Sometimes it seems we, as children, no matter how old we get, are never out of the shadow of our parents... or have the power to stop them from pulling us over their cliffs. But therein lies the key... they are their cliffs, not ours. I have faith in you, dear. Turn around, there's a much better future waiting for you. Michael |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Extremely captivating, in its intriguing secretive complexity, dear Nicole! Love, Margherita |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
"we will never have the days, sharing secrets like treasures hiding behind our hands like children, giggling or the unspoken bond of maternity" Very complex in its entirety. As I was reading I felt an urgency to read faster and faster, afraid I might miss something. Love this verse. JL Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
Intriguing, calls for another read. Ida |
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ebonygirl Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000California U.S.A |
I hear your words clearly when I read them out loud. This one is so sublime yet piercing my memory. Ms. E |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
'your laughter was a river, burbling and chuckling over stones' What a poet you are. Stunning. |
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Nocturnal Pulse Member
since 2010-08-12
Posts 84Australia |
A very forceful poem . . . forceful in that it grasps your full attention, even if you just wanted a quick-read, and leaves you with a surreal haunting that only true poets can incite. Marvellous imagery. |
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Nicole Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835Florida |
Alison and Sunshine, thank you for taking the time to read. I always appreciate your comments. Michael - You are absolutely right, in every single way. "they are their cliffs, not ours." Margherita, Thank you dear JL, thank you...there's definitely a mixture of love and disdain/hurt. I think my balance may have been a bit off in this, but I thank you for reading. Ida, thank you for commenting MsE, To be heard clearly is truly a gift, indeed. And (hugs) if it pierces a memory. K - Thank you... NP, If what I wrote elicited any lingering emotions, then that is high praise indeed. Thank you for the reply |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
I had to read this again. So facinating. Ida |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
This exquisite and magnificently-written poem in all its simplicity and complexity aches the intensely happy and intensely sad tears that are pouring down my cheeks. Hugs Owl |
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Nicole Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835Florida |
Ida, you honor me with your re-visit. Thank you Owl, such a high compliment, hugs to you dear and thank you. |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Loved the final stanza which could almost stand entirely by itself ... such truth, almost regret and finality. j. |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
Nicole, Love-hurt-disdain, life. Your balance is all that and more. In balance there is always a struggle not to tip one way or another. (There is never an answer to "why?") I truly enjoy your expressive writing. JL Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. |
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Nicole Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835Florida |
J - it is the crux of it... that resignation that just settles over you after time. JL - Thank you I do struggle with the balance sometimes, in all things, and you're so right to say that there is no answer to the question 'why'. I see some people who can live, with their scales tipped one way or another, but that's not me I'm afraid... |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
and oh how i cried, fat ugly tears throwing my heart like waves, to mix with the mud at your feet. This doesn't just tug my heartstrings... it turns on all the screens at the multiplex cinema playing memories. We love, even when the love isn't deserved... and we hurt, even when we did no wrong. And maintaining enough balance to not fall over that cliff??? That's SUCCESS, dear lady. Painful perfection here. *S* |
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Nicole Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835Florida |
c'mere girlie (hugs) You are so sweet, and so spot on, all the time. Thank you, hon |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Nicole, You've always been one of my favourites..... This is superb writing as usual... you always make me wish that I had written it, smiles. are you published? I want a copy or two!! m :-) |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Hey m, don't think you can just drop in here and run out unseen like. You've always been one of my favorites... give us a line or two. Please forgive me Nicole for abusing your thread like this. Michael |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Dang Nicole, you are a good poet. Never dissapointed when I read you. I love poetry, I love this poem. |
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Nicole Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835Florida |
EM! Hugs... oh you. I miss you. You've inspired me countless times; you should be the published one. I'm with Michael on this...post something? ice - Thank you very much, you're always so kind in your replies. They make me smile |
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tracie66 Member Elite
since 2000-01-18
Posts 4713Australia |
WOW! such a deep & intense poem, the imagery it produced powerful. ~hugs~ TM. Love is the life of the soul... |
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