Smoke in the Kitchen

Another old fave from my old page I can't access anymore.

 Photographs, Words, Ashes and Souls


I thought if I stared at the picture long enough, I could see

I could see where your mind was, why your heart wasn't there

I stared for so long that it all became a blur, and my own face...

It seemed to be the face of a woman I no longer know at all.

Where did THAT smile come from... and where did it go?

Things get better... but can they ever be THAT good again?

 

And the photograph of you and me rose up in flames...

Charred paper in the sink, foul smoke in the kitchen...

Nothing more...

 

I thought if I read them aloud, those words I wrote to you,

I could write them anew, make you feel them too, make them real

I read until my voice hurt, and realized that no matter where you were

You couldn't hear a word I said, never had... even from a foot away.

Where did THOSE words come from... and where did they go?

Inspiration comes.... now and again... but will it ever be like THAT again?

 

And the poems I wrote for you rose up in flames...

Charred paper in the sink, foul smoke in the kitchen...

Nothing more...

 

I wash my hands, wash the ashes down the drain...

Suddenly I feel so small, and it's as though I could wash myself

Right down that tiny hole into the sewer, amidst our remains

I wash my face and never feel as clean and fresh as I used to

Never can wash the soot of what we were away completely

And day breaks... but will it ever break like THOSE days broke again?

 

And my entire soul rises up, a flickering, waning flame....

Charred paper in the sink, foul smoke in the kitchen...

And something MORE...

 

It took a moment for the Phoenix to arise from beneath the ashes.

 

Reviews

[terry smith]

to find yourself first you must lose yourself....great writing and hopefully the ashes act as a nourishing soil from which a greater wisdom grows

[An owl on the moon]

What a bittersweet song... glancing over the days.. the years... The longing unfulfilled, though love and laughter desired so deeply... My heart fell in the sadness until those last words.. that flaming hope of rising above.. of flying again.. Loved this.

[Ruth]

Beautifully metaphored at the ending too! This is amazing work love! Stunning I think the word is! WOW!
Where do all of these things go.....memories or internally? The self can be reborn through them, in myriad ways....and the ashes....the ashes....releasing them to let them go forth.....
A wonderful poem love!
xx

[Poetic Beauty]

It takes time for a Phoenix to rise from the ash of a love gone wrong. The emotions are clearly painted in this piece and I know I have burned old love letter and photos for real in my life in hopes of moving on closer to moving on. This is one of those pieces that touches your heart and you can feel the pain pour out from every line.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

When the flames of love burns you it takes a lot to heal those burst scars. I can certainly relate to this... but the way you wrote it is magnificent.

[WaterColorPanda]

sounds like quite the experience. You get hints about what it could be about, but it almost doesn't matter, it's a painting of a feeling. I like it.