I
am trapped in a house of words:
words
of my own making
and
yours.
Each
note adds another layer
to
thick walls encasing me.
I
scribble as fast as I can
trying
to write my way out,
but
my pages fill the doors and windows,
piling
higher and higher.
From
the ceiling
incomplete
sentences,
dependent
clauses,
salutations
and post scripts
rain
down.
Words
of love, carefully phrased,
and
smooth, treacherous lies
fall
at my feet.
I
am surrounded by
words
of iron indifference
and
crumpled disinterest.
Words
I can no longer read,
letters
I cannot bare to open
pool
around my ankles.
Eventually
I will drown in them,
here
in my house of words.
This image, Still Life, 1670, detail by Jean François de Le
Motte, is provided by Tess at The Mag to inspire writers. If you like to write, read or think I suggest you check it out.
Mary, your poem is captivating ... each stanza building on the prior .. until I felt myself drowning in your words (in a very nice way.)
ReplyDeleteHahaha - thank you Helen. :o)
DeleteForgot to tell you I use PhotoFunia to create those images ...........
DeleteI think you need to light a match
ReplyDeleteSo from your words you can detach
Ah - why didn't I think of that!
Deletedependant clauses...nice us of that...it has double play in it...whew...so many words i def get the sense of drowning.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian. (And you're right, usually my writing is much more spare.)
Delete"Words of love, carefully phrased,
ReplyDeleteand smooth, treacherous lies"
"words of iron indifference
and crumpled disinterest."
Really liked this piece Mary. Very intense. Am reminded of that old adage, "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." Especially when we are only practicing to deceive ourselves...
Nicely penned, my friend!
Thanks Ginny...I decided to play with the idea of words full of meaning vs. empty words and this is where I ended up!
DeleteSo many words with so much meaning...I think at times I suffer from the same thing. Excellent piece!!
ReplyDeleteYes...sometimes I feel overwhelmed by words! Thanks Susie.
DeleteI love this part
ReplyDelete"From the ceiling
incomplete sentences,
dependent clauses,
salutations and post scripts
rain down."
Great stuff, Mary.
K
Thanks Kay (Heehee, it does feel like that sometimes!) :o)
DeleteSounds like dream ,Mary , i was reminded of Alice when the room started to flood. Very Healthy !
ReplyDeleteHehe - I was actually thinking of some old Batman show or something where the walls and ceiling start coming together to squash the hero. (Holy Writers' Block Batman!) :o)
DeleteNo crumpled disinterest when reading this Mag, I'll be bound! *smiles*
ReplyDeleteThanks Jinksy! :o)
DeleteThank goodness that you've chosen words...talent helps!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lyn :o)
Deleteyeah - I get your take on letters...Other Mary
ReplyDeleteSome days anyway Old Ollie. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteYou certainky convey a sense of suffocation and a desire to claw one’s way out ...and up...and away! Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you Nell. Sometimes I do wonder...
DeleteWow... I've often felt like I was drowning in words, flowing so greatly that I couldn't pluck them for use.
ReplyDeleteThe words can be tricky. Thanks for reading.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou give new meaning to still life. We do feel like that. Sometimes the less said the better! I love the idea of the dependent clauses raining down (and reining you in.)
ReplyDeletek.
Dark and powerful...
ReplyDeleteThank you Tess!
DeleteI loved the depth and continuity of this piece - it's a fine read!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you! I appreciate the read.
DeleteLet the words rain down. I love this piece.
ReplyDeleteThank you Brenda, I really appreciate it!
DeleteI'm with brenda - let them rain down these words ... this poem is wonderful and sings ... very nice Mary
ReplyDeletehttp://thepoet-tree-house.blogspot.ca/2012/06/love-letters-of-promises-and-regret.html
Oh thanks so much. :o) I'll check out your link too!
DeleteLovely but sad words - do so hope you don't drown in them!
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
Thanks Anna :o)
DeleteMagnificent! Worthy of a few re-reads this one is!
ReplyDeleteThank you Helena, glad you stopped by!
DeleteMy favorite Mag so far this week!
ReplyDeleteI just love every word.
=)
Oh, thanks so much Sue! I appreciate that very much!
Delete