“Even without wars, life is dangerous.”
~ Anne Sexton
My name no longer ends with yours
what was once whispered low
is now a bellow yet still a song
these words I give liberation
but for you they will echo
back and forth with a force that leaves a sting
I will no longer lay down in your dark pastures
hidden by your wheat and lost oaks
I shall rise like smoke
leaving a burn in your throat
you will never be able to swallow
like the hardest of pills
forgetting would be a luxury now
these aches are deeper than one sunburn out on the plow
the truest of regrets splinter in and root deep
the softness of my love
will settle into your heart that way
a piercing prick
pushing ever deeper
full with the ache you cannot forget
I gave you everything once
you stomped on it like a lit cigarette on the ground
I will take what light I still have with me
both heat and light rise and so shall I
my name no longer ends with yours
I suppose it never truly did.
This is incredibly poignant, sad and beautiful. Bravo, my talented friend.
ReplyDeleteWise and honest, Carrie, with truth at its end.
ReplyDelete“...my name no longer ends with yours
ReplyDeleteI suppose it never truly did.”
This is such a strong cry of liberation and freedom Carrie. Potent, poignant, and piercing. Love the refrain and deep truth of your closing couplet. Well written!
Wonderful! "I shall rise like smoke leaving a burn in your throat you will never be able to swallow." I love "I will take what light I still have with me"....and rise......awesome woman-power!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read a poem this full of anger and as Sherry said WOMAN POWER in many a day and LOVE it. Brava My Lady Brava.
ReplyDeletemy name no longer ends with yours
ReplyDeleteI suppose it never truly did.
A parting of ways will invariably reveal how deep was the feelings for each other. It can work out but it will take only a small fissure to end it all. Lovely take Carrie!
Hank
The opening line really sets the pace for this song of freedom from the past. Sometimes, one need to reach that higher decimal to reinforce ones convictions and arise in a new awakening.
ReplyDeleteOne cannot help but, feel the words.
"what was once whispered low / is now a bellow yet still a song" - fantastic. And this: "hidden by your wheat and lost oaks"
ReplyDeleteA spell-like cadence, and strong lyric message delivered without compromise. Too many excellent lines to count, but I especially liked "...these aches are deeper than one sunburn out on the plow/ the truest of regrets splinter in and root deep.." I have definitely been there. You really work the picture into your images seamlessly, and cause both to shine with truth and sincerity. My pleasure to read., and to learn from.
ReplyDeleteTelling it like it is, Carrie. One must do this to ever feel free, tell of the waning love on your part. I remember mine, I felt it bombed but the purpose was met for me. She took it like, "Well he really wasn't perfect like my mother said." But she kept my name until the first next husband came. When they parted she took my name again. It helped with the kids.
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Carrie, I appreciate your struggle to have a name that no longer ends with yours. Keep your light.
ReplyDeleteOh my--this is fierce and gorgeous. I absolutely love it.
ReplyDeleteBeginning and ending repeat adds much power to this poem. Love it!
ReplyDelete