navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #35 » secrets in the night
Open Poetry #35
Post A Reply Post New Topic secrets in the night Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738


0 posted 2005-05-06 08:28 AM


I am hanging leaves inside
and shells on strings to clank a breeze
the voo doo dolls are grimacing
as if protesting lack of pins
the ones that I removed for fear
she malpracticed surgery
wondering
which one was me--
this one? With a big hat pin
stuck into the buttocks rude
surrounded by some crude cross stitch
implying scars
and then was this-
a delicate chain stitch of crotch
with a button, way too big
with lengths of white silk purity
calling corners in the thread
in the proper order sewn
left to right to bottom then
across
(to close the labia)
with the red embroidery
composing seal of solar cross
in the box of binding fours
blessed
frantic
in the need
She bled her insecurity
her dread of possibility
and power that was not her own.

Careful work
she did it well
I admired stitches true
she had the art of a seamstress
tiny perfect dashes sewn
wondering
"who taught you this?"
And why, my sister,
would you think
that you had the need
to do
bindings on my feet
and this?
A ruby bead was cut in half
stabbed into the center chest
I nodded, smiled, and understood
the heart is not located left
but in the middle of the earth
she'd jabbed a half heart dangling
from a chain
with four links cheap
of teardrops linked
with stitches fleet
twining black that laced like hair
mocking of the pubes
she'd placed
the angels
guardians of gate
out of Eden cast, she blew
as though they were an afterthought:
Michael, Raphael, she drew
the trumpets summoning the two
Uriel and Gabriel
brandishing the flaming sword
as if to compensate the hate
that made her take that wide bootlace
and wrap me like a mummy tight
shimmering in silk as if
there should have been sarcophagus.
As if she knew the balances
of wishing too much good was just
another method of a curse
prayers can cripple like a bruise
On Achille's heel,were two
wounds of pure ferocity.

"Woman? Who would teach you this?"

Very gently, I removed
all the pins of willfullness
and dropped them to the flame as I
prayed the prayer of alchemy.

I knew there was a mate for it -
this doll that represented me--
it wasn't hard to find him
he
was bound but much more loosely kept
and the pin was in his head
and bits of cloth were sewn in stead
of acts of such impulsiveness
loving bits of him and her
and a cross protected him
with a tiny little dove
chainstitched Holy spirit peace
in the center of his chest
camouflaging surgery
that hid the other half of bead
cushioned in the doll of straw
I noted just how carefully
she'd sewn the stitches closed
regret
and that thorn, compulsive need
she'd bleed
in those dark hours.

*  *  *

so he brought the dolls to me.

"They were hidden well," he'd said.
Asking, "Did you teach her this?"
I had to laugh at that, I said--
"You think I am the only witch?"

(But yet, I thought I was.)
I guess
I was wrong again...

So I am hanging ivy leaves
and things that sparkle in the sun
I bought a wheel with eight gold jewels;
I write my shadows with a pen
that requires me to think
a fountain of my words in ink
as I remove the stitchery
careful of the dolls
I see
I need another way to be
and dolls should all be happy things
for children who need hugs and sing
telling stories, whispering,
secrets in the night
and green
leaves are hanging over me
bobbing in the breeze, agreed--

they are restless in the "yes"
nodding in the fickering
of candles I will not let die
as the sun comes risening
prisming the promises
of hope
in every box

I think

that fire is a gift of spring
as ashes are the offering
reminding us perhaps we should
forget the harsh realities
of things we were not meant to see
and let the gods be Gods and breathe
the language of the laughing leaves
hanging overhead, they grieve

the winters...just like us.


© Copyright 2005 serenity blaze - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
1 posted 2005-05-06 08:57 AM


Coming back to this...soon!
Nightshade
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962
just out of reach
2 posted 2005-05-06 09:10 AM


Keepin this amazing mix of mood and emotion.
If there is not a book on the horizon....I will ask the moon to not ever be full again.
   You are incredible if not bewitching! luv ya!

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

wandering glider
Senior Member
since 2001-04-04
Posts 501
aloft
3 posted 2005-05-06 09:35 AM


the blaze,

all dolls once held
are given life
imagined and bewitched
though stitches may not
be sown till wounds
so soon
be rent


by slight, my imitation
glider

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
4 posted 2005-05-06 09:53 AM


serenity,
You have galloped an army of symbols into the fray. A battle with no quarters asked.
Wonderful write.

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
5 posted 2005-05-06 11:08 AM


serenity, "Woman? Who would teach you this?"
AND  who hath taught you to write like this? You and your sisters must have been a special breed. Do write that book! You will not see me post to your writing often because quite frankly, I am in awe of you.
I bow to your talent. best marty

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

6 posted 2005-05-06 11:19 AM


agreeing here with all the above, I'll be the first in line to buy that book, amazing talent...you!
kayjay
Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015
Oregon
7 posted 2005-05-06 11:46 AM


What images gather in harmony,
their song of chordal angst
wrapping notes around hearts
Squeezing 'til pain fills.

Ken

Through rubble and trouble and dark of night
The yawn of a dawn will hasten the light

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

8 posted 2005-05-06 11:56 AM


oh....loving this. Printing it to read, and keep in my Serenity binder....over and over again.  Well done sweetie.
Ericc
Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178

9 posted 2005-05-06 02:52 PM


Yes...this is a keeper.

Eric

Cpat Hair
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793

10 posted 2005-05-06 03:47 PM


that fire is a gift of spring
as ashes are the offering
reminding us perhaps we should
forget the harsh realities
of things we were not meant to see
and let the gods be Gods and breathe
the language of the laughing leaves
hanging overhead, they grieve

the winters...just like us.

damn K....

just damn...


Paul Wilson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
11 posted 2005-05-06 09:55 PM


Karen...Enjoyed.
I'd love too pick your brain, but afraid of what I might find. The door to the unknown is such a temptation to open...Paul

~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
12 posted 2005-05-06 10:00 PM


Love ya lady~

Life is one great big canvas;
throw all the paint on it you can.
                    -Danny Kaye

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

13 posted 2005-05-06 10:46 PM


A bit of wooliness inspired by an unexpected inheritance from my sis.

(Who knew? I sure didn't.)



It kinda makes me look around my room and wonder what stories MY things will tell about me.

Thanks for reading, all.

littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
14 posted 2005-05-07 09:59 PM


Good God woman you are just bleeding
perfection on these boards . . .

adagio
Member
since 2005-03-19
Posts 449
Marrero, La.
15 posted 2005-05-09 04:20 PM


Yet another masterpiece from the master!
adagio

timothysangel1973
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Senior Member
since 2001-12-03
Posts 1725
Never close enough
16 posted 2005-05-09 04:57 PM


Another masterpeice... how do you do this?  If I grow as a writer to be half as good as you, I still won't beleive it.

Wonderful write my friend, gone to the library!!



I may hate myself in the morning - but I'm gonna love you tonight
-Lee Ann Womack

Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

17 posted 2005-05-09 05:28 PM


I think

that fire is a gift of spring
as ashes are the offering
reminding us perhaps we should
forget the harsh realities
of things we were not meant to see
and let the gods be Gods and breathe
the language of the laughing leaves
hanging overhead, they grieve

the winters...just like us.



Sighhh, you m'lady are incredible.



Mxx

"we all have wings, but some of us don't know why"

Michael Hutchence (INXS)

scorpio
Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178
right...there
18 posted 2005-05-09 07:56 PM


And an inspiring inheritance at that, Karen.

believe in what your heart feels...

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #35 » secrets in the night

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary