Narrow Margins

they rise and fall like the tide     bending

as the lip of a wave  -- a mouth widening --

her throat opens as she drinks the breeze before

falling back into the collective consciousness

            where life is liquid smooth

            and utterly silent

 

sheets do no justice to their forms     wrapping

and draping flesh that begs for only the softest

of touches     hands receive sanctioned access

            to sacred squares beyond the flesh

            where hope resides beneath a cage of rib

 

they drive one another to the brink of a cliff     where

the beyond is only another mossy stepping stone

mapping a path toward a frozen constellation

            hanging in a muted sky     haunting

            the depth of their resolve

 

she leaves the room like moonlight blocked

by curtains     he waits     still trembling

from the impressions left by her gypsy mouth

            upon his skin     hers translucent

            as dragonfly wings     dancing

 

but time stops when doors close     they both

stretch their minds to read the verses written

in the space left behind     do they even exist

            in different rooms     separated

            by walls and oppressive air?

 

outside of one another     she owns her

narrow margins and he his     coming together

is a combined effort of elegant collaboration

            where life breathes heavy

            like pregnant clocks     constantly

            giving birth to unblemished minutes    

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the next to the last stanza could be a poem all by itself..that is fantastic stuff...the oppressive air, the separation.

your usual excellent stuff here.

really wish relationships could actually sustain the excitement...often they don't...this poem does.

jacob

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Jacob! And I agree...if I could write into existence a relationship, that would be perfect. ;)

[Nkosana B Masuku]

they drive one another to the brink of
a cliff where
the beyond is only another mossy
stepping stone
mapping a path toward a frozen
constellation
hanging in a muted sky haunting
the depth of their resolve

Such a beautiful poem Sarah.Loved it

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so very much, my friend!

[B-poet]

Vivid imagery in this one. I liked how you did the spacing in this particular poem also. It added some interesting twists & turns as you were conveying the depth & overall theme for this write. Nice work. A fine write & read. :)

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, my friend...just working with some different styles. Gotta keep things interesting :)

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

LIfe is walking a fine line... so many choices with little margin for error... you always know how to tug at my heart and stimulate my mind with your words.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, my friend!

[Frieda P]

Wow Friday, this was an enthralling read, one I had to read over to grasp the hopelessness yet the beauty of your words..... I can hardly pick my favorite lines here, loved it all! Great work, you're an amazing poetess my friend. Favorite in a long list of them...

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Freida! You are such a great reviewer; I appreciate your time and your words.

[Frieda P]

Nice of you to say Friday, I hardly think so, I usually go by gut reaction when responding to poetry....you're very welcome, it's a joy to read your work....

[Kleio13]

This is nice and sweet ;)

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Haha This was my rendition of something slightly erotic...lol. Thank you for reading.

[Adam M. Snow]

Such a bittersweet write, a tremendous one at that. Love it.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Adam.

[Astro]

I like the motion of the ocean, the stutter in your step, empty spaces between lines a reminder of a physical separation. All things somehow feel unique and unblemished sometimes when the universe is flowing, and you catch yourself in short bouts of questioning...,"Is it for real, can it be so right?" Then you shake the thought away like crumbs on a silk nightgown and return to being content if but for only a time because it feels better than what you have come to get used to. Then when the curtain is dropped, and the feeling fades you are left "hanging in a muted sky" waiting....like we fans of your poetry who wait at the bottom of cliffs for your ethereal lines to fall upon us once again. Beautifully and artfully expressed emotions a sign of pure poetry.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, my friend... you always lift me with your words :)

[Astro]

I feel the same way about yours.

[Aethereal]

Here are some beautiful images expressing the breaking down of barriers between psychological surfaces whereby they merge within their 'margins' as would two soap bubbles that touch in midair thus becoming collectively one.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Nice analogy :) Thank you for reading, my friend.

[K. Louis]

she leaves the room like moonlight blocked
by curtains -- I love this image..

Then, in the fifth stanza, they part ways ...I love the reflection..and lingering question...has all been said and done?

life breathes heavy like pregnant clocks -- another simile I really liked.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, my friend...this was my attempt at being hopeful...lol

[K. Louis]

LOL! i know EXACTLY what you mean. haha