Mea Culpa

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Tue, 20 Sep 2011
  • 1972 reads
14 comments
 

Do you know what?
Undressing you’s more like
undoing a sack of potatoes!

Shame, your top’s ripped;
except, like you, it’s seen
better days, as you melt
into sheets still damp
with morning sweat.

Whatever I saw in you
I can’t imagine. Take a look
at yourself!

I don’t deny I took advantage
of your good nature, because,
that’s what I did all these years,
and you never failed me once,
until today.

Bottom line is, could be
I abused you, but don’t hold
your breath for apologies.
Got no need to feel ashamed.

Without you, I wouldn’t have
my kids...even though they’re
long-since grown, and all I see –
a lonely road stretches before me
like a strangled scream.

You could sure use a shower –
except I can’t be doing
with the task of making you –
so, vegetate a while.

Anyway – I’m out of here soon;
I’m not that hard a task-master,
and I can see you’re dead-beat.

Stick pins, if you will, in my effigy;
yet if I were you, I’d save my strength
for tomorrow, when it all begins
again.

Right now, I’ll leave you
in peace, and let this clapped out,
tumbledown shack of a body,
sleep.

Certificate PG
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by rjnewlyn on
It certainly feels very powerful, although I haven't quite got my head around exactly what it's about and exactly how dark the humour is. Certainly thought-provoking. Rob

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Hi there, Rob;-) I guess I had 'alter ego' in my head when this poem sprang to mind, but it's what it evoked in yours, that is the most important. Thanks so very much for reading and I'm pleased you found it worthwhile. Tina:-)

 

Submitted by Overthetop1 on
This is really strong stuff. I think it is excellent. I believe Tina, that your amazing imaginiation is conjuring up what is going on in the brain of an abuser and portays his contemptfor the woman he has turned her into. Probably his wife/lover. I don't think you meant it to be humorous, though it is certainly dark. For me I felt that our sympathy and empathy for the victim has been evoked by your incredible imagery. God can you write! And how. I am quite stunned actually, and will definitely come back for another read. My poem of the week.

Overthetop1

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
OTT - Pleased you got so much from this;-) Imagination is a wonderful thing, as you say, and some of the best stories ever written were those that invited their readers to read between those lines. Many thanks for your words. More than appreciated, on this rather dull and misty Septmember morn;-) Tina

 

Submitted by seashore on
Such a strong piece, Tina. I like that it is so enigmatic - let the reader decide.

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Hi there, Coral, and yes, it is certainly up to the reader. As someone once said to me, 'a poem shouldn't 'mean'. It should 'be'. Pleased you enjoyed;-) Tina

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hi Tina, a piece of writing with a lot of strong feelings. This oozes with emotion and I can see you've spoken from the heart. Jenny.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Hi there, Jenny;-) Many thanks. Hope your day is going well. We have sunshine here but it's very windy, so I'm hanging on to my hat;-) Tina

 

Submitted by Highhat on
I had to google mea Culpa- and it helped me to understand the poem a bit better. There are some strong sentiments in this poem Tina. I like the way you look into human nature so cleverly and with such insight and not necessarily always your own personal experience but being able to put yourself in others shoes. That is a rare gift and very unegotistical (I think you know what I mean but I am not sure about the word?). Anyway this is personified bitterness. Well done! Brilliant.You twist all the different traits of mankind into ordinary everyday people and we can all relate to being good or bad or both of course. Thanks for a brilliant read. what a rant...!!! ;)Pia

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Hi, Pia. There as so many Latin phrases we hear every day, and haven't a clue what they mean. I was the same with this one, until a few weeks ago, and then it made sense. 'To be culpable' for something, i.e. to blame, so I don't think I shall forget it now. It could be quite useful for me, as I am always saying to my husband, 'It wasn't my fault, honestly'. He says he will have it engraved on my tombstone as my epitaph;-) Pleased you got so much from this, and I must admit, it wasn't an easy write, but well worth it with comments such as yours;-) And by the way, your use of 'unegotistical' is spot on, and if it isn't a word, it should be;-) Many thanks. Tina

 

Submitted by TVR on
I enjoyed this too, Tina... nice one, my dear. sue

TVR

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Well thank you, sue;-) Tina

 

Submitted by Cavalcader on
new Silver-Spun-Sand Very interesting so many ways I look into it. But I too learn't another word "Mea Culpa" cheated found in the dictionary, which am guilty too. Well deserved cherry! Whats! the hat like Tina, a sun hat! yes! have a good day, garden small looks fab: Daughter can't do so much now, but x work friend loves to come and do, 5 hours wow! Both used come to-gether I can't do it either. Made us a apple crumble pie. But not for me. Could be crunchy! Sun is on and off here. all the best julie xx

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
Hi Julie, the sun is on and off here, too. Pleased you enjoyed, and that you looked up the Latin phrase, 'Mea Culpa'. I only learned what it meant a few weeks ago, and so we are all learning things together. Have a lovely weekend;-) Tina xx