For What it's Worth

She offered me a smoke on our way back home 
While she rambled on about how freedom tastes like tang and
Childhood of dried blood and gravel
That when you reach your prime age 
Your ceiling shouldn't be as filthy as your bed sheets
And that christening gown-
The one that’s stained with strawberry orange jam
From when you were a baby
Should be tossed out along with the overflowing trash

That old perfume bottles should be filled with
Brandy and
Kept hidden on the floor of your closet
Because although authentic and beautiful
Your mother’s eyes will fill with tears if she finds them and
Your father’s voice will shake with the same rage that
Boils in the pit of your swollen stomach

And when you’re young
Carnations and
Roses
Should not be on the dining table but
Cherries and clementines
Because high expectations don’t taste as sweet as forgiving yourself
 
On our way back home
She passed me the cigarette carton
Inside was filled with pressed pansies and she told me that
Even the most innocent, precious flowers
Will eventually wither and decay
 
On our way back home
Our naked fingers clutched onto a bottle of whiskey
Torn photos of the seaside and
Scratched records
 
She promised me that death is not only filled with 
Cockroaches and maggots but
Satin sheets and lace curtains with
The smell of burnt dragon’s blood and sage
 
She promised me that when we close our eyes together
All will be calm
And when our eyes open in the late winter weather
We’ll finally find our June. 

Author's Note

I wrote this within a half an hour, and I included elements of everything that has been on my mind lately..about growing up, and throwing away all the things that pain you and problems concerning body image..all of the parasites that make up life.

Reviews

[costa siwale]

i enjoyed this, like i usually enjoy your work. it really has a lot of elements in it and those are my kind of poems. Great work Phoen-ix

[Inda]

This is fantastic! Such a powerful story that is driven by intrigue and the characters are well developed which is difficult considering how short this is. Just a faantastic write!

[kublakhan27]

A very powerful piece that demands several thorough readings...every line and stanza is deep and rich and seems to carry allegorical undertones...I found it easy to immerse myself in this one, it's unique in every aspect, and even though there is no shortage of ugliness in it, it is offset by elements of hope that made it a truly fulfilling piece emotionally and philosophically...I loved the second-to-last stanza, and the wild mix of images, the cigarettes, flowers, insects, scratched records, and the list goes on...lot of food for thought in this one...great work :)

[@zeewhykay]

I find your choice of words riveting which is only complemented by your pace. I look forward to reading other pieces from you ! Even if they are half as decent as this one, it will be worth reading. Cheers !

[Simon Welsh]

It's like a diary page of someone not quite sure of themselves. Great once again.

[Sami Khalil]

A stellar write with powerful lines. You have done a wonderful job...:).............

[h d e rushin]

"And when you're young
carnations and roses
Should not be on the dining table but
Cherries and clementines
Because high expectations don't taste as sweet as forgiving yourself"

what wonderful vision displayed here....dana

[Tree]

A piece to be heard, read out loud. There is a rhythm to this, maybe the more accurate term is tone, that resonated with me. Imagery can be powerful and here you give the reader plenty to feel, to see.
I am astonished when I come across a poet who uses a combination of words and "picture words" that convey a time, a feeling. The kind that takes you back to a place and time you may have never been, yet you feel as if you have. I get that here.

Evocative work.



Diego

[Not Your Typical New Yo..]

The teenage years is probably the hardest stage human beings can go through. It's the stage where you discover who you're true friends are, who you're enemies are, your emotions confuse, you're thinking about sex, you're willing to break your parent's rules and get them on their nerves, you question about drugs....

I remember my teenage years, and they weren't that great. I've ben often pushed out, and you'd see me in the hallway with my head down, but for the past two years of high school I was sick of living that gray life, and I began to say, "F**k you, this is me." And when I told people how I really felt, well, it was their turn to live in that gray life.

So, anyway, I feel a lot of honesty in this poem, and the fear of losing innocence, because human beings will have to lose their innocence sometime, right? Great write. Thanks for sharing.

[Ruth]

Oh goodness...this is truly amazing! The imagery is reeling :) Huge smile...so beautiful! x