The Young Widow Reflects
Forgiveness comes hard
for the blue-bearded man.
I remember the love and joy
I offered for his charm.
But the bodies in the closet,
their reek of decay
and the dried blood
have made indelible stains
that won’t leave his hands.
Hands that felt so tender.
Strong, long-fingered, elegant hands.
Hands once filled with roses
or with jewels. Hands
that turned the key in the lock
on that little room.
I can still see the staring
decapitated heads.
He would have killed me too.
I had to do what I did.
Written 2005; recently rediscovered. I think I would rewrite the tale rather differently now – and perhaps I shall – but I think this version has its own validity.
Shared with Poets and Storytellers United's Writers' Pantry #28.
Written 2005; recently rediscovered. I think I would rewrite the tale rather differently now – and perhaps I shall – but I think this version has its own validity.
Shared with Poets and Storytellers United's Writers' Pantry #28.
My goodness this is skillfully portrayed, Rosemary!💘 Is this based on Bluebeard by Charles Perrault? If yes, then this is a richly woven poem, one that touches upon the emotional aspects of the story-- love, attraction, lies and realization which lead up to the difficult task the maiden is faced with. This image is specially strong; "the dried blood have made indelible stains that won’t leave his hands." Yes.
ReplyDeleteYes it is based on that story.
DeleteI really like the tone. Of all the Bluebeard retellings I've ever read, the ones where the prospective victim does what she must to survive is always my favorite. We need more souls that take the status quo and kick it until it fits better.
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes survival takes qualities we didn't know we had.
DeleteI like that you say you would rewrite this differently now - you're right this version is valid and the one you write will be equally so... I like how our perspectives change over time.. and the poems with them!
ReplyDeleteThe strange thing about being a writer is what the brain offers you you when you are thinking of something to write! She is taking a risk though pacifying him for the moment but if he has killed once (OK three times) he still may have that itch!
ReplyDeleteAre you sure she was pacifying him? Take another look at the implications of my title.
Deleteow wow this is a chilling well-crafted poem
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteA powerful re-telling of the Bluebeard story from the young widow’s point of view, Rosemary. The juxtaposition of ‘love and joy’, ‘charm’, ‘elegant hands’ that ‘felt so tender’ with the horror in the lines:
ReplyDelete‘…the bodies in the closet,
their reek of decay
and the dried blood’
and the ‘staring decapitated heads’ is made even more horrific when coupled with the repetition of the word ‘hands’ and the ‘indelible stains’ that won’t leave them. ‘I had to do what I did’ sounds like a confession. I wonder what it would be like to write from Bluebeard’s point of view.
Now there's an interesting possibility!
DeleteThat first line. I keep going back to it, reading it with slightly different inflections, wondering who was being asked for forgiveness and who was withholding it.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, well I think it's her unable to forgive him – but it's 15 years since this young woman spoke through me, so I can't be sure.
DeleteA skillful retelling! I'm waiting for today's version with much anticipation!
ReplyDeleteWell, there's a vague idea in my mind, but I don't know when it will take more shape.
DeleteI have nit read the inspiration novel, but the mystery in your poem is spine chilling enough to say bravo, well crafted
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday
Much💖love
Oh, thank you!
DeleteI really like that she's not denying any of the love she felt, while still being very matter of fact about what had to come next. It's interesting to me that this is framed as a reminiscence, not something she's trying to forget. I imagine she draws strength from knowing that when the time came, she did what needed doing.
ReplyDeleteYes, in a way. Sounds to me like she's trying to comfort and justify herself, which is perhaps much the same thing.
DeleteReally well crafted write Rosemary--the story is so clear and the images are striking. Kim's idea of a piece from Bluebeard's point of view would make a nice companion piece for this
ReplyDeleteHmmm, that might be more of a challenge, I think.
DeleteChilling! But I am glad that the young widow found courage and strength to put an end to the madness and cruelty of the blue-bearded killer.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I think that's a fair and accurate summing up!
DeleteGoodness this send chills up and down my spine. I'm singing.."he had it coming"
ReplyDeleteOh yes, in any version of the story!
Delete