vicarious trauma

Cherry

By london_calling79

Mon, 12 Nov 2018
  • 1992 reads
7 comments
 

i used to be able to repair myself

sprout phantom limbs

better versions

now, i flick rocks at the faultlines

and the whole thing caves

 

it starts in my head

as a blossom

a soft-budded explosion

of inferred stem

an infinity of cherry petal

and ends as distant thunder

in the chewed through

butter morning

 

it’s not melodrama

not violins, self hate

and scars raked down lengths of arm

it’s just me, stasis

and a window i see nothing through

 

don’t think about it

he says

well, teach me not to think

to disinvent the future

disregard inkblot stains

on white shark tooth pages

 

you think you carry such a weight

he says let go

i ask how?

nobody writes about that part.

Certificate PG
Poem
Water Damage
Philosophy
Opinion
Love

Comments

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

A great description of the human condition. We can’t let go and can’t make things better - but we can write and share, it helps to know we’re not alone in this.  Fabulous imagery, love butter morning especially.

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Thanks PS! Almost took that one out in the last edit, glad I didn’t now.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Like philip says - sometimes I find your imagery a bit too cryptic, but this one's spot on. I particularly like the second stanza. Do you definitely mean inferred? (I was just wondering if it mght be an auto correct for infra red which would also fit)

 

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Guilty as charged! Infra-red is a great shout but it was definitely inferred. The root of a lot of anxiety seems to be intrusive and inventive thoughts that are based on inference rather than fact. Thank you for the lovely comment!

 

Submitted by Nolan on

Good! I also write poetry only in lowercase and absolute minimum punctuation. People might think it looks funny but it works very well and for a few reasons.

&& Nolan

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

I liked the cherry blossom stanza very much, too.

This is how I feel about not being able to sleep  and people saying "You need to relax, stop thinking. Get some scented candles" GRRrrr

 

Submitted by Stephen Thom on

sprout phantom limbs, flick rocks at the faultlines, butter morning, white shark tooth pages, loads of gorgeous word combinations to appreciate here and a strong projection of feeling. very talented at what you do