In the Skinny Days of Youth and Yearning

Cherry

By Philip Sidney

Sat, 02 Aug 2014
  • 2284 reads
9 comments
 

In the skinny days of youth and yearning,

smiling was not permitted;

too redolent with levity.

This had to happen behind doors, or books, or fingers.

Then wracked with fear that laughing eyes might be misread as carefree,

costume stood as shorthand for a state of mind,

a counterweight effect.

The black boots looked fine:

androgynous, serious, romantic.

Black jeans,

as long as they were tight,

preferably cheap.

Colour in its brighter forms,

was best avoided.

Darkness showed an empathy

with the serious business

of living.

 

Certificate 12
Poem
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Hydra on

Yet another fine poem from this week's IP. I read this and thought of my 12-year old daughter - definitely a bit of the goth about her. 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

The title grabbed me, nicely done.

Submitted by scratch on

I like it too.  First look at your work for me, definitely won't be the last either.

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you all for your feedback.  I can't believe the difference it makes.  I've written for years but never had others really see any of it.  Love this place!

Submitted by Jewel Serpent on

Skilled use of language here, Philip. And a lot of good ideas, too. This is great.

I can relate to how you feel when people give you feedback on your work; it's how I first felt when I started posting ;) 

Submitted by maisie on

the days when black was the 'most' important colour in the wardrobe.  it was the only colour...

maisie angel Guess what?  I'm still alive!

Submitted by jeand on

HI Philip

I enjoyed reading this, but I think I am a generation or two older, and can't say I felt this way as a skinny teenager. And I don't think my girls went through a Goth phase either. We're always loved colour - the brighter the better.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

How lovely that you've read this.  Glad you liked it. :)

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

smiley