these things take time
people say you’ve changed
and i say
hallelujah!
about time!
how high?
my feet got bigger
and my hips got wider
and crone was painted every
where i looked in
big red scary letters
or long retracted grey whispers
(and both sound exactly just the same)
i inherited all this anger
from the girl that came before
this rage
raging all around
i’ve been breathing rage
for a year now
a year that broke my heart
in every sideway possible
and screwed it back together
with those cheap screws
that break
when you crank too hard
that makes it sound worse than it was
that makes it sound easier than screaming
that makes it sound so grandiose
when really it was just hours
and minutes and tears and breathing
sweat equity pouring down my back
as i walked for miles and miles and miles
and never did get far enough away
i have calluses stronger than my silence
i have plastic words and a purple parachute
i have this empty body standing tall
and we all sag under the weight
of whittled-down survival
…..
this afternoon
the sky
was filled with geese
winter is coming
winter is coming
at night i hear these words
in the darkness
outside my window
inside my head
your voice
my voice
whisper scream
the possibility
of resurrection
.
.
.
November 11th, 2017 at 8:20 pm
This is one of your best! Touchingand sincere
November 12th, 2017 at 1:48 pm
I am SO grateful for these words! I reached the age of 80 this year and I use the terms, “crone” and “Granny Gerry” quite often. I hope to share your words on FB. You are a gift to your readers!
Warm Hugs … Granny Gerry
November 13th, 2017 at 1:36 pm
Such a powerful poem! I can relate to that inherited rage and the year that broke my heart. I am left with questions and no answers. At least not yet.
Your words say it all so well, the cheap screws trying to hold it together. the having an empty body standing tall. Thanks you for putting this into words and images that reach into my soul-speak.
November 26th, 2017 at 9:13 am
Wow. This is amazing.
December 15th, 2017 at 6:58 pm
A wonderful write! Life like a roller coaster at times that matches our emotions but ultimately another day comes and changes that make it all worth while.
August 16th, 2018 at 12:20 pm
Gorgeous photo and so well written.