In a nutshell, meat and wings
and infinite other disturbing things
that rise and rule with iron fist
the little nest that crowns your kiss
Curse the summer, curse the tree
that swelled such nutshells patiently
gardener saw, gardener knew
even as those nutshells grew.
______
written for quadrille monday at dverse "crown"
image: syd barrett, a founding member of pink floyd whose life was derailed by mental illness. However, this poem is about whatever you think it's about.
That nutshell is more than tough to crack. This is a neat, scathing little gem that makes us think about how we think, and where it may take us, willed or not.Really, it's hard to describe the feeling it leaves, but the pic of Syd Barret seems to illustrate it perfectly.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautifully dark tangled little nest, Shay. Tough outer shells often hold fragile hearts...and secrets. So happy to see you at dVerse!
ReplyDeleteThe nutty inside is often shelled from the world with such hardness...
ReplyDeleteShine on you crazy diamond.
Really strong read — and so powerfully done... beautiful lines.....the kiss, the curse...Syd, yes...
ReplyDeleteSo powerful in its telling and unfolding. A poem that asks to be reread.
ReplyDeleteyou've captured the tangle of mental health issues so well ... and symptoms escalate as most ignore it's warning ...
ReplyDeleteIn all my years of loving Pink Floyd, I don’t think I’ve ever seen his likeness. Swoon. <3
ReplyDeleteThis poem is so flipping amazing. Such a pleasure to read aloud again and again.
I love that nest that crowns your kiss... Well done.
ReplyDeleteShine on you crazy diamond! Sad tale fits well in your piece here Shay. His loss hit the rest hard, especially Gilmore, as he stated in a Rolling Stone interview. What a powerful tribute song! David’s performance of the song at Pompeii was simply extraordinary. https://youtu.be/CiXNIjGX1hY
ReplyDeleteWhat goes on inside the thoughts of those with mental illness is hard for us to understand and harder still for them to control. You convey this with insight and great empathy.
ReplyDeletePax,
Dora
I like your take on this prompt. Nicely done poem.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, I think we are all a bit nuts. But, some of us have a harder time finding the soft delicacy inside.
ReplyDeleteLove the tone of this piece. Dark and mysterious. -Teresa @ Razzamadazzle
ReplyDeleteSuperb rhythm here, and the curses resonate. One of my favorites of the evening.
ReplyDeleteYour rhythm is dark and tight. You packed a wallop in 44 words. Well done!
ReplyDeleteWow - this is beautifully surreal, Shay!
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
David [ben Alexander]
The reference to nutshells in a menacing way unsettles me. In my mythology, hazelnuts are magical and produce only worthwhile things. I like the off-kilter message.
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this Shay....the rhyme, the inner message, the images conveyed. Wonderful quadrille!!!
ReplyDeleteNothing is ever truly revealed, even when we think we can see within. All we can do is appreciate what we're given.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much to love here Shay.
ReplyDeleteI love a touch of darkness. It's inside us all! I reread your poem multiple times, I enjoyed it so much!
ReplyDeleteDark, compelling and intriguing images and tone. Like Dana D. says, a poem to be reread many times!
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