she hears it
thud
within her heart
darkening that softly whispered thing
he’d wept at her feet
squeezing his chest
begging her
to come back
where he could have her, love her
but, snow white
and glistening,
she congeals in
the rush of blood—
cheeks heated, flushed
and damp
spent where he
could never bring her back,
hold her into it long enough
to let it sink
into her skin,
her fluids,
her flesh and bones
holding her, hard
and pushing love into
that bruised place
she cries
every time he touches
forged with passion
sought with tears
a groove never deep enough
to reach the watercourse
and dangles
not siphoned,
a conduit,
clamped
as she turns away
too close
to feel it anymore
Copyright 2013 Jennifer Wagner
Posting to The Poetry Pantry at Poets United
You paint this relationship so skilfully. This is a very moving poem.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much ND.
Deletewow lots of emotion in this one...its hard..the way i read it (which may be wrong) is she was abused, maybe not by him...but it affects their relationship...which is really hard for both parties...
ReplyDeleteHard for both in this relationship, not wrong at all...
DeleteTough love? Maybe but a high self-protection element.
ReplyDeleteTrue both.
DeleteCompelling wordplay and charged with emotions. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteThanks ES...really appreciate your kind words.
DeleteOh, wow....I agree with ND Mitchell. Those last two stanzas are stunning. "Too close to feel it anymore" takes my breath away.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Mary.
DeleteWow, wow, wow.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to say otherwise.
♥♥
Thanks for saying it :-)
Deleteshe seems lie a trauma survivor who can get back to normal life owing to some misplaced sense of guilt and shame.very moving poem.wonderfully crafted.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Abin.
DeleteVery emotional and vivid write ~ This part gave me the chills:
ReplyDeleteholding her, hard
and pushing love into
that bruised place
she cries
every time he touches
Thanks for commenting Grace.
DeleteThis is painful to read - some things can never be healed over. I like the fact that you did not give a back story, because it takes your reader further into the moment.
ReplyDeleteGlad you think that works Kerry, thank you.
DeleteThis is epic and left me speechless and emotional. Wow. So emotional. Tragic.
ReplyDeleteGreat work as always.
I'm honored by your compliments Keith, thanks much.
DeleteMoving and emotional. Skilled writing
ReplyDeleteThank you Kiana.
DeleteA beautiful poem! Wonderfully crafted in its rawness. So well done.
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate your kind words Lisa.
Deleteso much damage done
ReplyDeletecan it ever be right anymore?
such powerful words
I think it can...but will it? Thanks for coming by Rene.
DeleteWow.. everytime i read your poems, you leave me thinking.. and your expression is so real... Awesome..
ReplyDeleteDeepak, thanks so much. Your words are encouraging.
DeleteThis poem really resonates - trauma, the tears, the withdrawal for self protection.........fantastic write!
ReplyDeleteSherry, thank you, it means so much that you think so.
DeleteI agree with Kerry. A backstory would limit this, and right now, it seems limitless.
ReplyDeleteKaren, thank you very much.
Deleteholding her, hard
ReplyDeleteand pushing love into
that bruised place
she cries
every time he touches
So much you have packed into this write--Just fabulous
I'm honored Audrey, thank you.
DeleteWhoa... you give us a glimpse at the consequences, results of abuse. The damage FEELS deep and real. Saddening.
ReplyDeleteKim, thanks for feeling it, as always I appreciate your thoughts.
DeleteHeartwrenching and powerful.... With a glimmer of hope at the end. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you saw the hope! Thanks mrs :-)
DeleteWow, so powerful and I see metaphors in this poem, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Judy, glad to see you here.
Deleteyour poem resonates with my soul as i can relate..
ReplyDeletevery true and written from the heart.
'as she turns away
too close
to feel it anymore' - i can feel hope and release in these lines. thank you so much for sharing, Jennifer, this poem just made my a bit darkened day.
Yelena, I'm so honored to have been able to make your day a little bit brighter. A comment like yours means so much.
Delete