I made a thing from weeds and bark
and called the thing I made--a heart.
I wrapped it 'round with wire and twine
and crossed it, kept it--called it mine.
Love my heart, love it much
despite the rot and wasps and such
and when you're done--I'll love you back
to see what nightmares come from that.
_______
for Rommy's challenge at Toads.
How our little arts and crafts projects can come back to haunt us, and every line of this with its perfect rhyme and meter, haunts the place where love might be, with a form we might not want to see. Exquisite.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much packed into this small piece. The hard protections around the heart, the probability of pain mixed with the plea to love it just the same - it paints such an intense image. The rhyme and meter here also work really well to solidify the feral but vulnerable feel.
ReplyDeleteLoved it!!
ReplyDelete:-)
I always enjoy reading your poetry. It is always fascinating, interesting an I am impressed by your ability to meld words, thoughts and unspoken truths together. And sometimes, you write something that really nails "it" for me. This was one of those.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your work so generously.
Awesome.
ReplyDeleteI love how you've made the heart a giant outdoor sculpture, sitting on the lawn (as I envision it). It's a work of art, even if part of a horror movie. Poison Ivy 2. That's what it reminds me of.
I think she is talking to herself.
Brief, enthralling, infections and wicked. I completely love it--the rhyme, the imagery, the story that grows out of it... everything.
ReplyDeleteOh, the nightmares you and I would make. La la mosk
ReplyDeleteI love this, wish I'd written it, envy it, want to steal it . . .
ReplyDeleteI love scritchy-scratchy hearts like that!
ReplyDeleteSomehow when I read something as lighthearted in form, but heavy laden with meaning I think of William Blake and his sick rose... or rather as a response to him...
ReplyDeleteDarkly, tightly knit. Catchy and satisfying.
ReplyDeleteNot your usual unicorns and butterflies kind of piece ;)... The rhythm, the rhyme--HITHDYDI?
ReplyDeletetragic love is your specialty. :)
ReplyDeleteA seam-less chant-like dark-rhyme...love it, Shay!
ReplyDeleteOh my...dark and delightful. I am with Mama Zen, jealous.
ReplyDeleteooooo chilling. I have a feeling Magaly will love this one...oh! and yes I just saw her comment, quite right. I loved it too. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete