For the (fictional) series, “Edges”.
Her Voice
The Escapee
Her Voice
The Escapee
I was not yet forty. So young!
I couldn't believe life would change so fast.
Now I can't claw my way back
to that impossible innocence.
to that impossible innocence.
Hordes of mosquitos infest the swamp. I stay
well away. But you, Spirit, invade my home.
well away. But you, Spirit, invade my home.
Should I board up windows, lock doors?
Is this a quick house call, or a conduit to nothing?
The four-lane highway I used to call Life
is distant now, over those many hills and trees.
Only this torn-out newspaper item (your face
gazing from it) I can’t discard.
gazing from it) I can’t discard.
You had the grace of a fawn,
the delicate ears of a faery.
You floored it, speeding away,
hot for the embrace of danger.
I retreated, found this port
in my storm, relaxed into it.…
How the camera has caught
Interesting how one moment can change us forever....those milestones that forever shake and shape us....and our choices. They define who we are. I am always fascinated by my choices, and the what ifs. Really a very insightful poem Rosemary! Got my brain clicking.
ReplyDeleteI love the way that you close this. Such an unexpected detail and so intimate.
ReplyDeleteSomehow such a touching write!
ReplyDeleteI love the grace of a fawn, the delicate ears of a faery! Wonderful writing, my friend!
ReplyDeleteI do think things change fast. When we look back, we notice just HOW fast things have changed. And we wonder how it was that we were once 'impossibly innocent.'
ReplyDeleteIs this a quick house call, or a conduit to nothing?... like that!! And the close is wonderful as well!
ReplyDeleteGreat story telling in this piece
ReplyDeleteA poignant write, wistful.
ReplyDeleteRosemary, you always convey the convictions of an individualist in a most appealing way.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautifully deep and introspective! 💜 Sometimes we don't even realize how much we have changed until we are faced with a difficult situation. It's almost like an out of body experience.. watching yourself deal with things you never thought you could before.💜
ReplyDeleteWhat is life but an adventure full of ups and downs, joys and sadness but it's best though to regret nothing...but I haven't managed that yet!
ReplyDeleteThere are some goodbyes that leave big holes in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteRead this several times over - a voyeuristic pleasure to read looking over your shoulder at the past - you certainly can tweak the ghosts
ReplyDeleteWe all have real ghosts of course, so it wasn't too hard to dream up some fictional ones. (Smile.)
DeleteAs we do in New Mexico, perhaps you might paint your windows and doors a lovely shade of blue. Keeps out evil spirits.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Annell, wish I'd known this before I finished this series of poems. I might have worked it in somewhere – such a lovely image.
Deleteloved this ... looking back can conjure up all kinds of ghosts who can change as time passes
ReplyDeleteOh, this is beautiful. Lovely writing that evoked many emotions for me!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how a photograph can jog so many details from memory and how we still lose so many in the speed of life changes. I love the lines:
ReplyDelete'Only this torn-out newspaper item (your face
gazing from it) I can’t discard'
and
'How the camera has caught
just that turn of your head!'
I read this over a few times. I saw the change time brings, the letting go of youth, the spirit invading the present.
ReplyDeleteThat last line is superb and intriguing. I am enjoying this series so much.
Another great "photograph" of life's intrigue.
ReplyDeleteZQ
Memories, as spirits, live with us.
ReplyDeleteHow difficult it is to forget some of time past...
Wistful write Rosemary, with an excellent close.
Anna :o]
Love the details in this and how they cascade to a layered and impactful line:
ReplyDelete'I retreated, found this port
in my storm, relaxed into it.…;
Awesome writing!
Things change that fast>? It co-relates with age. The older you are the faster it appears to be. Now that half a year is practically gone and it goes in a jiffy!
ReplyDeleteHank
Cameras (and poems) have a way of capturing things that the eye ordinarily can't see.
ReplyDeleteinteresting turn of the story.
ReplyDeletei am wondering if this is turning into a dystopian or apocalyptic world. :)
At this stage I didn't know myself where it was heading!
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