Brush my mind
with ticklings of innocence;
I’ve since passed them
sinking in the quicksand
of want;
disclosing destroyed
and heaving parts,
the remnants of ugliness
from connubial war.
Disgusted,
our most real selves
are painfully owning all of it, even
the gaps so richly fabled when it suited.
Cleverly cloaked
in our reckless game of moth-eaten promise;
the bearers of bad news
always held their tongue.
They all knew their fate,
when veracity
was so uncomely.
Solemn workers of the gallows have finally come
to set the masqueraders free.
It’s a ghastly job to examine the photo
pulled from the frame
when the lies were just so pretty.
Copyright © 2013 Jennifer Wagner
Apparently I am indefinite article deficient. I'm sorry if you read this post before I made the fix on the third to last line. I'm going to blame it on the flu. I'll be linking up at dVerse Poets Pub for OpenLinkNight tomorrow!
Apparently I am indefinite article deficient. I'm sorry if you read this post before I made the fix on the third to last line. I'm going to blame it on the flu. I'll be linking up at dVerse Poets Pub for OpenLinkNight tomorrow!
Wow. So much to ponder here. This feels like a painful experience for the speaker of the poem. Your words cause me to think deeply about this-it's a very thought-provoking piece of writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading David. Appreciate it, as always!
DeleteThis is a truly remarkable poem, Jennifer, brought tears to my eyes, especially "when the lies were just so pretty."
ReplyDeleteYes, I have seen a lot of this in life. Promises and lies are often a pretty fairy tale masquerade - the facade that we are expected (or expect ourselves) to keep up. But living a lie, is failing oneself - and there is real heartache in staying on that path. An excellent capture.
ReplyDeleteSo true Wendy...thank you!
DeleteThe ending of one fairy tale is the beginning of another...
ReplyDeleteYes, it can be...
DeleteI loved this Jennifer--fabulous--everything about it
ReplyDeleteThanks for saying so Audrey!
Deleteheavy emotions in this..a ghastly job for sure..ugh...the reckless game of moth-eaten promise...inense images...
ReplyDelete'ugh' is right...thanks for reading Claudia!
Deletewow this is like layer upon layer...the releasing in the end...moth eaten promises....and it seems at times in our darkest hours that is when new life comes....smiles...
ReplyDeleteAt times that is so true...smiles back...
DeleteHeavy emptions, intense and good write.
ReplyDeleteour most real selves
ReplyDeleteare painfully owning all of it,
powerfully spoken. I appreciate your voice.
Thank you very much jane!
DeleteSo deep and excellently penned.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the compliment anthony, I appreciate it!
DeleteAmazing & with felt emotions.
ReplyDeleteA moth-eaten promise is perfect and I love the idea of looking at a picture pulled away from the frame.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that colleen, thank you.
DeleteI can sense the speaker's disappointment, pain and anger coming through in this well-penned poem. The closure is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteKind words Tony, thank you. And thank you for hosting the pub as well!
Deletesometimes those promises do seem moth eaten... lovely interpretation of emotions
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's as if they are...thank you!
DeleteLies are a sad ending to the beginnings of innocence. ~
ReplyDeleteLies are destructive things indeed. Thanks Grace.
DeleteOh yikes, the lies...in a pretty frame! Excellent presentation here, Jennifer! A real life fairy tale, I fear.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Mary!
DeleteI'm perceiving some regret, sadness, loss, bitterness, and even a vague sense of detachment in this piece. There are too many quotable passages in this, so I will just say that, in its entirety, you led us down an extemely intense and visceral path in this poem. Such power in your voice, the words you choose, and how you arrange them. It's almost like the room goes quiet when you speak. I am, once again, blown away at your gifts, Jennifer. Excellent. :)
ReplyDeleteOh you humble me Heather...really I am quite touched by your words. You've made my day.
DeleteVery deep!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Alieux, and for following too.
DeleteThis is very rich and interesting work, Jennifer - so I'm glad I visted your page and will be back again... Particularly enjoyed: "the photo pulled from the frame
ReplyDeletewhen the lies were just so pretty." Excellent finish!
Reagrds
Scott www.scotthastie.com
I'm glad to hear you will be back Scott...a very nice compliment!
DeleteOof, that is such a powerful ending.... Reality comes creeping in sometimes, when it is least welcome, doesn't it? Great job with this!
ReplyDeleteooh reality is 'ouch' sometimes...thank you Kelly!
DeleteWhen I finished reading this all I could say was "woah." Those last few lines are stunning.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Alex.
DeleteI totally love this. Some people prefer the lies in the frame don't they? Gorgeous work.
ReplyDeleteOh yes they do...thank you very much for your kind words.
DeleteNicely done!
ReplyDeleteVery powerful ending and wow the lies very nicely done
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann.
DeleteIt’s a ghastly job to examine the photo
ReplyDeletepulled from the frame
when the lies were just so pretty.
Great ending to a strong poem.
Thanks very much Heidi.
DeleteFlattery for the purpose of deception... do people do that...? ;)
ReplyDeleteNever ;)
Deleteit can be hard to let go of the fairytale—to see it as it truly was—no longer blonde by the lies..
ReplyDeletethe ending definitely struck a chord. beautifully done!
Those last five lines are just scary good.
ReplyDeleteThank you Shay.
DeleteBeautiful powerful and evocative. Not to mention familiar and visceral (a word someone else used) and is a most excellent description of this most excellent offering...thank you!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading--and for your kind comment!
DeleteThat last line is a zinger! although, I did enjoy myself the whole way through.
ReplyDeleteGlad you did Margaret, thanks!
DeleteHaving lived some of this (every married couple has) you've captured the connubial war, artfully and sympathetically.
ReplyDelete