Somehow, I’d forgotten
all my memories,
or was pretending to
like a zombie
milling about
in search
of sustenance.
So, after the funeral,
I ran.
After all the history sharing,
and others’ merry making,
I ran.
I tried to be nonchalant,
missing a few steps
on the way
down the stairs
and out the door.
It was this weird, clean
break inside me.
And how could I say it—
it was one I was happy for.
Since all my memories
weren’t roses and candy,
since more than a person had died
and my own heart
was still being stitched up
in fresh bandages,
I just wanted solace,
to turn up the stereo
in my car,
to drive through the mountains,
clouds breaking—
tossing my rings
out the window
unmarried
to the Me Too
I left behind.
For Shay’s Word Garden Word List—Save Yourself
NPM Day 17
8 comments:
Jennifer, this is absolutely brilliant. I love how you used the words to craft this poetic story. I would never have guessed your poem was written using a word list. It flowed SO well.
Powerful poetry. It's a journey through painful to a sense of freedom.
Oh my. The best poems are always the ones that come from both head and heart, and this one displays your considerable talents at both. Wow, that wind-up. We pass through the fire and never come out the other side unchanged, but it's difficult and brave to describe any of that in lines. I don't think I will forget this one any time soon, if ever. What a poem. What a poet.
I agree with Shay. This poem will stay with me..........brave and real, and so well done. Wow.
Having lived as long as I have, there is no way I could have escaped what you so beautifully describe in this poem. Brava, Brava.
"since more than a person had died" -- You express how so beautifully and succinctly, and the desire for a freedom to mourn, freedom from a stultifying funerary moment.
I’m always blown away with your poetry and this one doesn’t disappoint. You are truly an amazing poet and this is one of my favorites.
tossing my rings /out the window / unmarried / to the Me Too / I left behind."
Great ending.
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