Photo credit: SueAnn
when you kissed me
under the darkening shade
i forgot
how soft and tender the night can be
blurred of lines,
empty of violent shapes and crisp-
orange burns of sun and searing sky--
i imagine us
melting away in pit of darkness
but its only late afternoon
i have to catch my station train and bus,
cook dinner and - all the details -
the possibility of escape tempts me
underground, away from the city crowd
i look for the missing key
and find it dangling by the doorway
but i am a creature of habit and old ways,
so when i stammer to say goodbye --
i suddenly remember
how hard and brittle cold the floor tiles are
on my face --
Posted for: D'verse Poets Pub: Poetics - Through the Artist Lens - I don't know why this picture prompted me of domestic violence ~ Oh well, thanks for the visit ~
This is so sensual and beautiful to me that when it got to the last few lines I was shocked, it seemed to come to an abrupt end that brought home the cold and dark reality of domestic violence beneath the initial warmth and seeming beauty of the couple's relationship. So good how you've pulled this off Heaven, I adore it even though it's very sad.
ReplyDeleteThank you Matthew for the kind words and visit ~
DeleteThat may be when you never want to say goodbye, as I assume the cruelty awaits at home and your lover can't protect you..then it may be time to walk alone. Brilliant write to the stark lines and harsh lines of the artwork. Excellent Grace.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gay ~ The inspiration came from the dark colors of the picture prompt ~
DeleteWow.... how sad if she is leaving a man she loves to go home to a spouse who beats her. Sheesh Grace, this was so effective, was like being punched by that last line.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bren for the compliments and visit ~
DeleteAhh... Grace, this is so beautifully written. The ending really floored me (no pun intended, well, maybe).
ReplyDeleteThank you Laurie for the lovely words and visit ~
Deleteoy, some really interesting textures in this....the cold floor on the face at the end in particular...ugh...you got me there...forgetting the details may not be a bad thing sometimes....but how sad...
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian for the lovely prompt and inspiration ~
Deletefor some reason I thought of Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro....
ReplyDeletethat was a good movie Dezzy~
Deletenice ending; if you had written feet instead of face, it could be another story, I think
ReplyDeleteHow interesting, but yes, its another story ~ Thanks for the visit ~
Deletethis is painfully beautiful. great images to got along with 'the image' - i hope you will find a pillow and get warm... on the inside.
ReplyDeleteamazing poem.
Thank you for the compliments and visit ~
DeleteVery well described, Grace. Sad to think how many women might be going through something similar and living in fear for their lives.
ReplyDeleteWell done, all these details intertwined to slowly put up a scenario of violence that - in spite of the word "violence" itself - I wasn't expecting. The end is just like a slap in the face with a tile.
ReplyDeleteI like your different takes on black and darkness. It's kind side, but with a reminder of the stark contrast with light. The ending was superb. A taste of reality. You have great skill.
ReplyDeleteUgg such a fate none should bear but so many do. Quite descriptive too, very well depicted by you.
ReplyDelete"But I am a creature of habit and old ways"...yes, I felt the ugliness of routine there, the regularity of rage, or perhaps muted outrage. A great way to pull the rough edges, the piercing colors, from the art you chose.
ReplyDeleteGene
so lost in the kiss , I almost missed it....almost. definitely a striking piece.
ReplyDeleteYou are always sensual and beautiful. I missed dVerse because of you.
ReplyDeleteWhew, you took me by surprise too. It spoke of the shock and sudden onset of violence. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteGreat poem. Great take on the photo, too.
ReplyDeleteI too thought this was very sensual until the end when it took a scary turn. I feel for the poor soul...
ReplyDeleteWow - the ending is stunning - love the twist!
ReplyDeleteohh...wow, this hits hard...great piece Heaven.
ReplyDeleteThere seems to an urgency and it brought forth some carelessness. The consequences can be unwittingly painful! Nicely Heaven!
ReplyDeleteHank
i was very touched by the ending, Heaven. somehow it seems the perfect poem for the image.
ReplyDelete♥
are you going to be the 57th poet featured this year on my blog? if you didn't get the emails, please let me know at myheartlovesongs(at)gmail(dot)com.
Clever use of the image to play with the emotions of the reader
ReplyDeleteoh grace.
ReplyDeletei'm simply...
just head over heels in love with this piece. :)
Love the switch at the end. Reality bites for sure. Thank you for using one of my pics...what an honor.
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
Hmmm, the ending threw me off.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile , the sensuous beginning was interesting.
very sensuous and then the end a little shocking and very sad...enjoyed the textural images very much.
ReplyDeletewhoa, what an end...
ReplyDeleteI experience this in my own life (not the violence) but that life/circumstances can be completely turned upside down in an instant/blink of an eye/right before your eyes.
ReplyDeletebeautiful grace
The ending threw me for a loop. I did not expect it at all. This is extremely moving and really well connected to the painting with its dark shapes and sharp angles.
ReplyDeleteLoved this. She is returning to her violent spouse. Fear keeps so many women prisoners.
ReplyDeleteA line crossed so often even the trace of shock is blurred.
ReplyDeletePowerful write, Grace
Heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done and totally unexpected!
ReplyDeleteaah...so beautifully weaved! The concluding lines are the best~
ReplyDeleteI followed faithfully throughout this enjoyable poem, but must be having a senior moment now, for I cannot get the last lines. No doubt light will dawn any moment now. The quality of the rest gives me faith.
ReplyDeleteHeaven you draw us in with your expressive words giving the feeling the atmosphere and as happens with domestic violence the abrupt change-something not right. It takes a couple of seconds and the mind dawns on the reality...Thank you. Came by from dVerse poetics.
ReplyDeleteTook me a few reading to see--clearly--the domestic violence arising after all the beautiful language and sensuality that preceded it. But then I sq the pattern change—how the creature of habit arouse—all the details. So well done!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing to me how a photo can trigger the imagination so...you said it wasn't a personal experience..you drew inspiration from the photo..yet what you describe seems so real..how it must certainly feel to be in that situation....well done.
ReplyDeletewow!
ReplyDelete