I miss you. I really do.
You were always there
ready to make merry,
happy as a shitfaced clown
on Saturday afternoon.
But back to niceties,
you played the fiddle
and I danced
to your tormented tune
like a
jilted wife
waiting for another truth.
Is that dancing?
Hell, yes.
You should see my shoes,
all tapped out, so to speak.
I love you. Come back.
Though there’s nothing left here
for you except
a .22.
© 2014 Jennifer Wagner
My more sensitive readers may not
appreciate my strong language in this one, and I hope I haven’t lost you, but
sometimes, you have to get ugly when you’re fighting monsters…there’s beauty in it...
Wow, Jennifer -- that is one strong poem. Sometimes strong language IS necessary. And sometimes mixed feelings DO reigh.
ReplyDeleteAn intense articulation of the cycle of physical and/or mental abuse (tension building, acting out, reconciliation/honeymoon, calm … tension building …) that exists in a controlling patriarchal based relationship. Dancing to a tormented tune - an effort to do everything possible to avoid the onset of the tension building. And the reconcilation/honeymoon phase would, I imagine, generate feelings that there really is love in the relationship. Well penned, Jennifer.
ReplyDeletepowerful, Jen. there are different ways of putting the hammer down... ~
ReplyDeleteA .22! And the misery as a circus clown. Well, it is very lucid image. Hard to forget. May you never have to dance that dance ever.
ReplyDeleteI love the strong words...sometimes it is needed to give a powerful message ~ Well done Jennifer ~
ReplyDeleteRejoicing that misery is gone..........yay!
ReplyDeleteJesus was a pretty strong character when he told the devil off, too.
:-)
Strong poem, Jennifer. I'm not sure what your story is behind it but I found much of my struggle with depression in this poem. Thank God for overcoming difficult obstacles!
ReplyDeleteAlso, thanks for mentioning Janet/Twigs & Stones. I'm looking forward to reading her tanka poems. I'm new to the form but I love it so far.
ReplyDeleteIt's not at all ugly. Rather I find it a powerful portrayal. No doubt one might find psychic streaks here and there. Still I say I like it. :)
ReplyDeleteNicely done Jennifer
ReplyDeleteShit faced clowns can really spoil a Saturday:)
ReplyDeleteThis is a powerful piece. I really liked how you presented it! :)
ReplyDelete