polaroids. (a companion)

for Devons' contest..

polaroid I

overripe cherry juice

seeping outwards in concentric circles

islanded with flaky crust particles

he had watched his mother's

nimble fingers form the dough

into a lattice shaped prison

for the scarlet orbs

just the day before

he knew if he looked 

too closely 

he would see the single cherryheart

pulsing 

just like his mother's heart had beat

only yesterday

polaroid II

ragged torn cuticles

dried crescent bloodmoon trapped 

in the corner of his father's thumbnail

unsettled by the sight

he was unable to focus on anything 

but the sign of his father's undoing.. 

he wondered when his turn was next

had it only been yesterday

that his family

had been whole?

polaroid III

black typeface

starkly bellowing the single word

that would change his world forever

an entire life, 

two lives.. no.. three..

or maybe more lives 

than anyone could know

pulled to pieces with the entropic nature

of seven simple letters

was there an eraser ever made,

he wondered,

that could eradicate

the forbidden knowledge of

suicide

from a mind too young

to hold all the answers?

Reviews

[Michael X]

wow, i cant even think of the proper words that show how i feel about the bare simplicity and heartaching features that entwine polaroids, and the companion piece here. this is seriously subtle and speaks in a silent nature of

artistry is my first impression, leaves the reader begging for the whole life
script between the characters just to peer into their minds and what lead to the mother unfateful ending, what makes the second part so magnificent is the way it overshadows part one but the skill is divine. bravo, loved this. the imagery is timeless and amazingly threaded.

[Nobody.]

really compliments the story well. the one about the cherry heart was my favorite...although the last one had a more profound impact. the whole thing is brilliant. very creative.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for the detail description of the photos. I will read on. The story is amazing.
Coyote

[Toon]

awesome, even though the poem has way more depth than to justify this comment, but I really like:
"overripe cherry juice
seeping outwards in concentric circles
islanded with flaky crust particles"
just really good description.

[Molafvt]

Jenn; you never cease to amaze me with the brilliant brevity of your words and images.
This is a marvelous piece leading down the dark slope of eradication and despair,
from the bright and cheery red of cherry Pie to the loathsome, dark desperation of suicide. A brilliant and alluring, intelligent piece of writing.

[alan peter kelly]

perfect companion piece...swells with a rare texture that nobody can replicate

[Ruth]

Wow! What a slant on the image!
Clever poem love, moving and really well crafted:)
xx

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

Wonderful poem, your images are so vivid.
Three images that take the reader down a path of sadness.
Suicide hurts so many. Great inspiration you have taken from this black and white image.

Chloe

[Tony]

That's a mighty force you wield with your words.
Not only are you rhythmic and poetic, but you paint anguish and shadow complete with strong smells and tiny daggers for the heart.

Well done, J.W.

[Zeitgeist Manifesto]

I saw so many things as I read this poem. You took me and just invited me into a home that truly existed in my mind. This was stunning work.