Trading Cards

 

The aged dogwood trees in the yard

scrape bitter bones as if seeking sanctuary,

swaying in the lonely wind crest chills of January.

The spyglass moon cracks open yesterdays scars-

 

the ones from that time and the time before,

falling out of order to the ground, frozen hard.

We hoard them into a pile like trading cards

chasing them through stinging curls of wind war.

 

Tuck them in the warm place inside my hat

and later by downy lamplight, when we are able,

spread them in our gypsy den upon the table.

How sweetly you suffer me in all of that.

 

My secret darling, I know that you would

bury them beyond the snow bleached plain

and shroud the memory of each poisoned stain

with bluebells in your shining sainthood.

 

Instead, you tenderly trace the cards in my hand,

for they have made me what I am.

 

Reviews

[Robert Trakofler]

I like it! The truth is i think scars are beautiful and I'm a bunny so i know beauty when i hear it! This was very lovely and genuine you have a very nice voice and i shall endeavor to listen to you more.

[Wesley Dingler]

Helen does have an amazing talent. Im sorry to say bb that she is more or less unactive these days...
But she inspired me a lot more than she may know when i was a younger man.

[Robert Trakofler]

what a shame hope she is okay

[Wesley Dingler]

She is well. She remarried and found love and life and all the wonderful stuff. Im super happy for my old friend.
I just wish she'd write more.
But hey, life happens.
As long as she is a happy friend of mine she is still inspiring me...

[Leslie Philibert]

Helen is a very talented poet. A great subject ( I know what trading cards are from my childhood) this is written with style and talent. I look forward to reading more

[Sami Khalil]

"My secret darling, I know that you would
bury them beyond the snow bleached plain
and shroud the memory of each poisoned stain
with bluebells in your shining sainthood." Those are my faves in this well written poem...:)

[Helen Warner]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed reading it!

[Sami Khalil]

I did. You are welcome...:)

[Aidz]

I have been randomly reading trying to find something to challenge this mind of mine with words that can paint mindscape and I perchance upon this gem.

Eloquently structured and words well placed the canvas absorbing the colours as the words did to the parchment

[Helen Warner]

Wow, thank you so much.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

scars do make us what we are, sometimes we go to such great lengths to hide them, but why?

they are war wounds from life and relationships and they give us characters..i really like the last two lines...the tracing, the acceptance, the love.

i really like your work, Helen.

[Helen Warner]

I agree, it is all part of growing and learning. I think it also makes us more compassionate human beings. Thank you for reading.

[zainul]

This is a great piece.
Found the flavor of classical poem.
You may love to elaborate the background of this write.
Thanks for sharing a great work.

[Helen Warner]

I concentrated on assonance and alliteration especially in the first stanza. The repetition of the hard "c" reminds me of icy cold sounds, then I softened the words in the later two stanzas. I wanted to go from the hardness of the world and the damage done to a "softer" protected place of shelter and acceptance. Thank you for your interest!

[zainul]

This is an illuminating contribution.
This may be very precious for those who studies poems in depth.
Thanks for sharing :)

[Rogue]

Wonderful job with this. Very well worded and a nice build to the ending.
I loved the last two lines in this. :)

[Helen Warner]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[ChemicalMadness]

this was incredibly well done....a subtle build up to the final stanza. I truly enjoyed the stark imagery and deftly penned lines....How sweetly you suffer me in all of that...such a simple line, but it says so much. nice work.

CM

[Helen Warner]

Thank you!