the full moon mocks
their bed of black silk flowers
peach-split lips sigh,
thin patience in her reddish cheeks,
he had insisted his name
to be stitched in her coat sleeves,
even pillows in all the rooms,
their house looking more like his business card
one fine monday morning, goodbye kiss,
turns to be just that, as he leaves for work
she takes out small luggage, removing
gold wedding band, and place it atop their album
quilted memories of their years, laugher on edges
bring tears to her eyes; all lies now,
fabric of unworthiness heavy on
slender frame, she limps out the door
tired of his rosy promises,
her battered hands start the car, driving
unknown destination,
maybe back to her roots,
certain of only one thing:
her life back in her hands.
Author's Note: Posted for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Prompt is arrivals and departures and D'verse Poets Pub: Poetics, Fabric of our lives
Not my story but someone close to me.
Picture credit: here
an all too real story...i really like all the color that you worked in there as well...much like a quilt...but the lines that held the emotion for me...
ReplyDeletefabric of unworthiness heavy on
slender frame, she limps out the door
nice. glad it is not you.
Heaven, I loved all the rich detail you 'wove' into this poem. A very sad story though. Glad she took her life back in her hands.
ReplyDeleteSad because it's often so true too.
ReplyDeleteA lovely woven tale but... so sad.
Heavy but well-written. I echo what Brian said, glad it's not your story.
ReplyDeleteugh..good she leaves him... that's what i thought when i read that line...he had insisted his name
ReplyDeleteto be stitched in her coat sleeves... hope you can help your friend to get through this..
Too true, too often. Many never leave. Bless your friend for her departure.
ReplyDeleteKay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel
This is the first one I read on the prompt and it's wonderfully done, Heaven. It touched me for not only my own personal story of leaving a controlling man but for all women who need to be free...of something.
ReplyDeleteAnother poem that's given me the chills. This is so good, Heaven. May other women have the courage to walk out from under the quilt of abuse.
ReplyDeletethere is no great cause for celebration than the day a person (man/woman) regains their control to move down the road.. well done here Heaven!
ReplyDeleteThe moon mocks their bed of black silk flowers...great line...loved the progression that had her leaving and taking her life back in her hands.
ReplyDeleteNicely done. Sad but true story for too many.
ReplyDeleteSad tale for far too many, but always great when they realize they are worth so much more and finally take control. Great verse for dVerse.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad thing to go through (glad it's not you)... I especially like:
ReplyDeletefabric of unworthiness heavy on
slender frame, she limps out the door
A well done poem on a very sad story!
ReplyDeleteI too am very glad it's not you.
Some great lines in here Heaven--their house like his business card(!) and the fabric of unworthiness--fine handling of two prompts, and interestingly told in its own right.
ReplyDeleteA heavy poem. Loved the name in the coat sleeves and the quilted memories --- powerful imagery!
ReplyDeleteYou told this story so well - the stitched pillows looking like his business card - if anyone was unworthy in this scenario it was him! I LOVE the last line!!!!! (I am Woman. Hear me Roar!)
ReplyDeleteIt seems there is very often a sad beginning to declaring one's independence, as if a leap of faith were required before the good stuff can arrive. I liked this. Thanks for taking part!
ReplyDeleteSome very intense n strong lines
ReplyDelete"even pillows in all the rooms,
their house looking more like his business card "
can only say WOW
n glad Its not yours !!
Ooohh. The name on the coat sleeves a really chilling detail, even if metaphorical. K.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow. Great piece. Love the choppy syntax. Really gives it an intense edge, especially with that last line. Thanks for the read!
ReplyDeleteWell written tribute...thanks for sharing a difficult situation. Wonderful choice of words. Cut to the core.
ReplyDeletePeace
Siggi in Downeast Maine
The painful moment of breakup was set up very well with a glimpse into what the relationship was all about. This is a strong piece about breaking free from the ties that bind.
ReplyDeleteYour lines are fantastic! I esp like peach split lips
ReplyDeleteSuch a fine write, Heaven -- The tale of the undersides of love's quilt, or its reverse, or the brutal stitches it takes to find the real one beyond the quilt made of lies and hurts. The greater quilt is sewn with blood and tears yet comforts greater because it is one's own - Brendan
ReplyDeleteA story told with great economy yet rich detail. I am glad of the happy ending!
ReplyDeleteTeasing poem, good ending.
ReplyDeletewitty,
ReplyDeletelove it.
Great poem! What a terrific image -- his name stiched in so many items that their "house looking more like his business card" This is a common topic but you handled is so originally and created such a strong poem from start to finish!
ReplyDeletehappy it is not your story! wonderful poem!
ReplyDelete♥