I Don't Do Sadness

I decided to write you a letter. A blase letter

About how happy I am. About how

I smile all the time, I got my teeth whitened, and how

I've been to France and Cambodia, and how

My writings been published in the local magazine, and how

I don't have to mow my own lawn anymore. 

I want to tell you that I am just SO f*****g happy, 

But the words escape me. Instead, 

I fold my happiness into pale pink roses, 

And tuck them into an envelope

The way I tuck my pain into vanity drawers. 

I try not to fold the sadness in, you see, 

I don't do sadness anymore, but it drips 

From my fingers like the juice from a blood

Orange, tainting the pale pink flowers. 

I try to fold a joke or two

Into the flower, hand you a laugh at the least, 

But you did always say 

I have the sense of humor of a mortician. 

All I can manage is a pathetic crack 

At how fat the blonde b***h has gotten-

The one we used to hate in high school.

That throws a messy violet swatch

Onto the ballet perfect roses. 

I seal the envelope with my tongue

Thinking maybe you'll remember

The braille of my taste buds...

Gag at the glue taste, gag at the sticky thought.

I discard the envelope into the mail

A hodge-podge of roaring, splatter painted roses

Scurrying about in the vain of my new 

happy, happy WITHOUT YOU life. 

I turn my shoulder away from the mailbox, 

And strut away because I'm trying to teach myself

How to accept the splatter paint and stop noticing

The pain. 

Reviews

[Breathetheair]

I really like this. I felt like I could picture all the lines as they went. Great work. I hope to read more of your writing..

[Dana Alsamsam]

yay- thank you so much. this means a lot! i'll be posting more very soon.

[sparkle]

wow , nice words dandoneh , very nice , you are one of the best writers here , really good work .. I liked how you (( A hodge-podge of roaring, splatter painted roses
Scurrying about in the vain of my new
happy, happy WITHOUT YOU life. )) those are the best lines due to me , love it :)

[Dana Alsamsam]

wow that means a lot to me! thank you so much for reading and for your kind words

[Astro]

Ahhhh, just love the sarcasm and irony here. Some might not know how to appreciate an emotional f#ck you like I do, but I think this was really great. I can so picture you tucking away fond memories in scraps and trinkets into a vanity drawer, and trying to keep them clear of the pain that what they make you think about brings. Great Job!!

[Dana Alsamsam]

an emotional f*** you is exactly what this is, great description. thank you as always for your thoughtful review :)

[Astro]

You're welcome Dana.

[Skye Rose]

What a beautiful, edgy, and emotional poem. You have a strong and unique voice that comes across clearly in your writing. It did feel a bit like you were trying to mesh two styles together, one that was darkly humorous and full of attitude and kind of "f**k this s**t", and one that was expressing a deeper, calmer sadness. I would suggest you try to integrate them better, or stick to one. Overall it was very well written. I liked the repeating image of the rose.

[Dana Alsamsam]

allow me an explanation: this character is supposed to be all over the place- virtually a disaster in the remains of this relationship. the hodge podge of those two "styles" or emotions were thrown together in that way with purpose to show how the character was ripping apart at the seems. i'll definitely take another look at it, though, thanks.

[Archangel Gabriel]

A deeply intense and intellegent poem that paints a picture of weakness in strength of pain and acquiescence.

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you! even your description of my poem is poetic...i always appreciate your reviews!

[Tomahawk Joe]

sentimental yet dark at the same time. So much complexity in one poem a good read

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you so much! i really enjoy taking simple things and making people look with introspect into them.

[xxlheart]

it has an ee cummings feel to it from the title to the twisted attitude that makes to see lovely but feel pain. very nicely done :)

[Dana Alsamsam]

ee is my idol ah thank you so much!!!

[Pete Langley]

Dana, this is so damned good. You have wrapped the idea package so cohesively, from counting your blessings, through the machinations of coping with the negatives with superb similes. I love this piece. P.

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you so much! your reviews are always insightful and uplifting:)

[s y e]

Loved the structure and the wording of this write. The message you gave across was really well written. You had me hooked from the beginning.

Well done.

~ Noodle.

[B-poet]

Loved your style of writing as it backed up an underlying profound message that started during the beginnings of the first stanza. Nice work. :)

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you so much! i'm really glad the message came through