when i was younger i campaigned for the moral majority
accepting your vows of chastity and obedience
as gospel -
the black and white world created found
the black and white world created found
my dreams consumed with murky, muddy water
where i was continually fighting for
life's breath -
life's breath -
in desperation i suggested yellow wallpaper
you ran from the bedroom screaming,
harlot, whore!!!
my fantasies stood on the bed
cheering as you left
your fantasy ran after
you
you
i locked the front door
placing red roses
in the foyer
to ward off all evil
bkmackenzie
copyrighted 2010
Such a victorious, and beautiful poem! I love how you so eloquently portrayed this experience in a way that is unique and all your own. You are such a talented poet! Always am inspired by your poetry and prose! :-)
ReplyDeletethank you Carrie..I never know how others will view it but I am so happy you liked it...I take your thoughts to heart...blessings..bkm
ReplyDeleteShe didn't need him in her life! You wrote beautifully of her emergence!
ReplyDeleteYellow wallpaper? No wonder she ran...strong and direct I like your style
ReplyDeleteChristine
I love the way you create Yin and Yang by narrowing down the form of your poem as her visions gain in freedom and power. :)
ReplyDeleteBKM, very powerful writing. Great symbolism.
ReplyDeleteCee
Standers we set for others
ReplyDeleteFor ourselves we don't bother
with others morals we get to excited
but with our morals we're delighted
So many of us are two faced with double standers.
red roses to ward off all evil. Nice. I will have to remember that. I like your metaphors
ReplyDeleteKatherine
Ah the beauty of living authentically
ReplyDeleteThis was excellent
and all yours...beautiful
..red roses in the foyer....no need of explanation.....it's there
Charlotte Perkins Gilman would have LOVED this, and so do I. I almost feel like I don't want to say anything because it can't be added to. It leaves me shakin me lil fists and smilin, it do!
ReplyDeletePS--I am not Canadian, but I am steeped in Canadiana just the same, and I love the place. I was born and raised right across the border in southeastern Michigan, where you actually have to travel south to enter Canada!
smiles. bravo...some great imagery...i like the color yellow....
ReplyDeleteAh the quiet of empowerment.
ReplyDeleteyes! Empowering poem!
ReplyDeletethis says a lot, in few words. the kind of writing I like best.
ReplyDeleteNicely penned. It is smooth, the flow pulls us along.
ReplyDeleteSuch empowering words in a small piece! Wonderfully written!
ReplyDelete-Weasel
Wonderfully powerful - love the red roses placed in the hall!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic poem, I love the line..
ReplyDeleteMy fantasies stood on the bed cheering as you left..
Wonderful poem, with such stirring emotion. I loved
ReplyDelete"my fantasies stood on the bed
cheering as you left
your fantasy ran after
you"
There is something of each side in there.
Loved it bkm. Liked the structure and the authenticity of the piece. Great idea giving the internal life the power to speak its mind.
ReplyDeleteGreat poem bkm. I love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant..perhaps we shouldn't make commitments when we're too young..
ReplyDeleteand go out the back door!!
Oh, man, could I ever connect with this piece on so many levels. I had to read it over several times and relish in it. Brilliant!!!
ReplyDeletethank you everyone for your comments...yes, making committments young is probably not a good thing...but most young people seem to think they have the answers...most of us just have to learn for ourselves life's lessons...blessings...bkm
ReplyDeleteI liked that very much! I liked the black and white, and the yellow, what a nice combination of colors and ideas.
ReplyDeleteBlack and white vs. yellow (brilliant reference, btw) and then red. Passion enters the house. Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteamazing tale,
ReplyDeleteyour taste of color and words are fabulous!
this is such an amazing story.the structure you chose for this poem is perfect. i loved it.
ReplyDeletelove the colorful procession!
ReplyDeleteColour is such an evil influence!
ReplyDelete:)
Well done (for the poem and for closing the door)
Unique, love the form and the story. I could lose myself in your writing, each one is an adventure worth taking. I liked the colors, red and yellow, how they represented freeing from the mud and murk.
ReplyDeleteYellow wallpaper evokes a lot in this poem -- powerful and well written. Great magpie!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant imagery...
ReplyDeleteA picture of grit and strength! You've got voice!!!!
An powerful magpie..
Awesome writing. Loved where you took this magpie!
ReplyDeleteThank god he left! The foyer was needful of red roses!
ReplyDeleterel
I rejoiced with you as you joined the world of colour while rejecting the guilt too often imposed by black and white, death-worshiping fundamentalism.
ReplyDeletePowerful and honest writing!