you cannot fight
a bitter midnight
especially one that sinks fangs
into the flesh above your knee
head shaking, throat growling, eyes
closed.
but you can stand before her
open,
knowing all the while that bare
and vulnerable share a cupboard,
always swapping dresses and
complaining of the cold.
.
January 24th, 2012 at 9:27 am
Some very powerful words for a Tuesday morning; my word, it makes me ready to take on this day, and the midnight ahead.
January 24th, 2012 at 9:35 am
god. you are a truthteller.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:17 am
always swapping dresses, complaining of the cold. I love that line, reminds me of someone ….
January 24th, 2012 at 10:29 am
Powerful stuff, I love it.
January 24th, 2012 at 11:13 am
i, too, love the line, always swapping dresses, complaining of the cold…. haunting words. as, always love your words.
in fondest of thought, Tilda
January 24th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
nice description with the dog up front…my leg hurts a bit now…smiles….and the stand alone of closed open…excellent but the dresses line def steals the show…
January 24th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
This is short but packs a powerful punch. Very emotive- raw almost. But the personification of bare and vulnerable was just killer. It’s like- you fight feelings – but open yourself up to them and you understand and accept why and what they are.
January 24th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
knowing all the while that bare
and vulnerable share a cupboard,
always swapping dresses and
complaining of the cold…. this is just awesome!!
January 24th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
I’m always a fan of your writing, but this one stopped me in my tracks.
Wow.
January 24th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
This is a gorgeous piece, love the last two lines.
January 24th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
amazing… I loved how the title goes right into the poem.. very cool
January 24th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
I will still complain but not try to fight because that would just be one unending plight… really vivid, nicely done!
January 24th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Instant favorite of yours–this is like unfolding a piece of paper to see an unexpected and perfect image, line by line. Excellent poem.
January 24th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Terse, compact…nary a word wasted…good stuff
January 24th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
Really well done – great “action”, Mosk
January 24th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
You never cease to amaze me.
January 24th, 2012 at 5:50 pm
This poem is so great! Your blog name does not fit, “Mrs. Mediocrity!”
January 24th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Wow, I love how your poetry-speak oscillates, sometimes blowing sweet and others blowing cold and feisty.
I love “sinks fangs into the flesh above your knee” and “bare and vulnerable share a cupboard, always swapping dresses.”
January 24th, 2012 at 8:36 pm
amen.
January 24th, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Thank you for standing before us open.
Lovely bit of wordplay in the final stanza, especially!
January 24th, 2012 at 9:07 pm
Sounds like a sister.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:46 pm
i think it’s unanimous….”always swapping dresses” are words we truly love
xoxo
January 24th, 2012 at 11:19 pm
Great lines:
knowing all the while that bare
and vulnerable share a cupboard,
always swapping dresses and
complaining of the cold.
I think you’ve captured the cruelty and malice that the world often shows us.
January 25th, 2012 at 6:53 am
holy shit.
seriously. 🙂
January 25th, 2012 at 7:15 am
The last two lines … nice 🙂 Nice piece! Dark Angel is right – sounds like a sister!
January 25th, 2012 at 10:33 am
Vivid and powerful write. I love it!
http://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/night-rules/
January 25th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
The second half of this just blew me away. Wow.
January 25th, 2012 at 11:57 pm
Brrrr. What a vision.
January 27th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
really loved how you carried this from the title to the opening line, evoking words ~ Rose
January 27th, 2012 at 5:55 pm
Superb write – I agree your name doesn’t fit!
Anna :o]