Stead: in the phrase at night.

My sister said

the doctor was just dead wrong

about her weight loss. (and i'm

wondering if I can even mention

such a thing in a poem?) But why not?

Poetry skims truth away from life

since we are all so besieged by

hurt anyways. May as well

use secrecy as a sort of sorcery.

Like leaves that exist in thin layers

without eyelid of photosynthesis.

What? Like leant,

the alternative past tense and past

participle of lean: I leant my sisters

girlfriend my good sweater and she

busted the top button off. "Weight just

jumps on your thighs, even your

shoulders" she said. And it is night

exactly when the lore of beauty

visits Nana who sleeps in her

long leg girdle with the satin front

squeezing her insides. Through shallow

breaths she says that Kim Kardashian's

shape isn't real either. 

Forever I so wish the wounded had their day.

Mental illness without that medicine regimen.

Weight gain without the thongs of want

pulling you, pulling you,

carrying away your soluble softness. There's

a scientific term for flicker or phosphorescence/

Like the figurative darkness of a well loved garden.

Let those roses that can still do so, lean away on

their stems.....towards the sun.

Reviews

[Cherrie]

Poetry is a powerful tool to tickle our thoughts and ask the reader a question he or she might not read in prose.
Excellent piece.

[h d e rushin]

thank you love. and what a kind comment. Happy new year to you. dana

[M. J. Smith]

My wife is sensitive about her weight. Mine is a running joke. Two different mindsets. Well, this rose intends to worship the sun in his own way. Words chosen with compassion. Well written, Sir. Well written.

[Chris Shaw]

So much mental illness around these days dana. But I reckon alot of it is driven by the Internet and media. All those pics of perfect celebrities. All those girls out there who don't eat so they can stay a size 4 or even less. Stick insects. Fortunately I didn't have that while I was in my younger years. It was acceptable to sport a bit of flesh. You also had me reflecting on my own nana and her corsets. You know I was fascinated by them, all that flesh coloured satin, bones and ribbons that were pulled in so tight. You had me remembering laundry days when those life savers would be placed on the airer in front of the fire to dry. I too have to watch my weight, but not to the point it drives me nuts. Quite happy these days to carry a few extra pounds. Pass the cake please. Your lines took me to many places, many people. Always good to read you.

Chris

[W.k.kortas]

"May as well/use secrecy and a sort of sorcery"...what a wonderful turn of phrase, and I wish I had written that. This piece casts a wide net, but pulls it in tightly and elegantly.

[h d e rushin]

thank you love. Happy new year..dana

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I agree with your nana. Kim Kardashians figure isn't real and she knows it because she has the receipts. I so enjoy reading your poetry because it comes from such a truthful heart. I hope this new year fills your mind with inspiration so that you grace us with more of your art.

[h d e rushin]

i'm struggling back my friend. 2021 threw me for a loop. but we all more nimble now, I mean, clumsiness still looks like heaviness in appearance . but I went back to school to get my masters. But this time armed with poetry , age and morals to see me thru. Thanks for your kind words and happy new year. dana

[John the Baptist]

From my days as a mental health worker, I recall how some medications caused people to put on weight. This was especially hard on the younger ones, concerned as they were about body image. But the alternative was symptoms and possibly hospitalization. A hard row to hoe, indeed. I was especially moved by the last stanza's last lines.

[h d e rushin]

thank you my friend for your kind remarks. and happy new year.....dana

[jacob erin-cilberto]

many reasons for mental illness, some brought on by hurt...sometimes a bad regiment of eating habits is caused by the tension, the worry of life.
People are beautiful inside and get too criticized by what others see as letting go, or being crazy...
we should lend an ear, a hand, a heart to those. We should have "leant" in their direction just a bit more.
everyone should have the chance to be a rose leaning towards the sun.
I have missed your writing...Always filled with so much strong philosophy within the words.
j.

[h d e rushin]

thank you my friend, my muse, my teacher and my inspiration. Happy new year. dana

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think I am the one who gets the benefits and inspiration from reading you...but thanks, dana.
read moreI think I am the one who gets the benefits and inspiration from reading you...but thanks, dana.
That makes me feel pretty darn good that my work can have some positives.