An Icon

...a tribute to Marilyn

A diffused light, shining

beneath a door…

 

A mattress, sitting

on hardwood floor.

 

Sheets of white

were clinging to…

 

the porcelain skin,

the perfection of

 

an icon.

Author's Note

I wrote this after seeing pictures of Marilyn's room that night. The housekeeper had mentioned seeing a light shining beneath her door at some time during the night, and when her bedroom was shown, a mattress was sitting on a hardwood floor with no frame. Then there was the white sheets on the bed...

Reviews

[Lyn Anderson]

Very subtle and haunting. Her life was as topsy turvy and confusing and tragic as her death.

[Kelly Scheppers]

And it continues...never ending as it goes. Thank you!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

an icon who was so troubled...and so much mystery surrounding her death...and as Elton sang...the damn media just had to say, "she was found in the nude"

always the titillation and at the expense of someone who by most was probably so misunderstood...
and one who was revered by too many just because of her looks...

but who was she really? deep inside?

this poem i think expresses her own feelings of being used.

ps.
thank you for the inspiration....i just wrote a poem about her---
and remembering all the publicity surrounding her death.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I got SO excited to read your poem, I forgot to thank you for such an insightful review! You are such a kind soul, Jacob...thank you so much!

[NoelHC]

A lovely tribute. I remember hearing the news of her death on the car radio driving home from a family visit to my grandparents. For some reason that memory has stuck with me, and was the first thing that came to my mind as I read your words.

[Kelly Scheppers]

...wow, you just gave me chills, Noel! I always imagined people waking up to seeing her death in the papers. And that you have such a recollection of it, is fascinating! Thank you for sharing that!

[Einstein Noodle]

i enjoy your tributes to Marilyn ... the tragedy of icons such as Marilyn is just that perfection .. would that she and others would be with us still ...had it not been for that image of self so unattainable ... thank you for your note as well Kelly ..did not know such pictures were available for the public ... i think she would appreciate this tribute ... it's language is at once both elegant and plain ..
E.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Her death has always intrigued me, for I've never been convinced that she died from her own hand. But I'll continue writing about her as long as her memory sustains me...and there are kind souls like your's who enjoy reading them. Thank you so much, Gene!

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ..................

[Lydia Shutter]

She was an icon, no doubt about it. She died 54 years ago and still most people recognize her face in photos. Your tributes to Marilyn Monroe have consistently touched me. Glad to see a post from you. Lydi**

[Kelly Scheppers]

I often wonder what her reaction would be, to see the impact her death has had upon her allegiance of fans all over the world...even now, these 54 years later! It's always a thrill for me, seeing you, Lydi. Thank you so much!

[Gray]

Do you mean when she died? I've seen the reports about the pills on the table. I could picture her arm hanging down the side of the bed. Your poem is vivid and haunting. She was indeed a candle in the wind but what a beautiful light she was.

[Kelly Scheppers]

...she was, indeed. And 54 years after her death, she continues to shine! Thank you!

[Gray]

Hard to believe its been that long. You're welcome.