Red Polish

Story/Poem based on true events.

To you, my guardian of time, with long white hair, olive skin and eyes like the abyss.

 I found a small broken glass bottle, leaking red and inhaled at the age of six. She sat on the hot concrete, under the warm Caribbean sun painting away preparing for this day.  So naïve to the consequence or purposely ignoring the risk, she worked transfixed.

 It was as if her spirit took complete control and she was simply watching diligently as this small and fragile girl sat legs crossed, gently gliding the wet thick redness over each nail, ignoring the cost.  

It felt familiar, almost instinctive, with each stroke she found security. Her world was filled with ugliness and here she found some beauty. Did it rise up from beneath the hot earth or was it cast down from the heavens along with the pelting rain?  But like the murky stream her cares ran down the drain.

These  grounds were like graves, daily she would bury her tears it seems. They would grow like vines along the walls and against barred windows that echoed her hopes and dreams. The metal gates  bolted with chains and locks were meant to keep the "ungodly" at bay. Yet somehow inside this prison where a purposeful soul dies…a small bottle with red polish found its way.

Why do we climb to the very top…only to fall never to fly?

Why is it a struggle to be human, to be loved?

Why is the cost so high?

 

To combat painful strikes for this sin, she became numb. Facing monsters with human features, she was so young. Yet in her I found no hate, she managed to keep that sweet state. Their inflictions left her flesh permanently scarred. But her spirit they could not touch, her heart could not be barred.

Their words rendered her useless and weak but at the age of six 

I sat there, quiet, steady and fixed.

 Now do you see? This was me...

on the concrete floor under the Caribbean sun, painting red boldly, fearlessly, becoming free.

-MeleciaG 2014 

Author's Note

Please leave comments, suggestions. Be courteous and kind:) thanks.

Reviews

[JC]

incredibly strong and powerful work.

[Mel Lisa]

thank you very much:)

[Flarare Weet]

I had to read this poem twice to understand what was going on, and it was fantastic. It was like a puzzle, figuring out the meaning to the words. Although I can't relate, I was engaged, and the ending was brilliant. It felt like the 'drop' on a music track.

[Mel Lisa]

thank you. glad you enjoyed reading.

[ron]

growing up with that in your life...you are very strong. Your poem shows your strength. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

[Mel Lisa]

thank you and your welcome, yes it has made me resilient! lol

[ron]

I can pick that up in your poem.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this write intrigued me...the girl, the red like a rose...loving herself even with her plight.

and it interested me because of the Caribbean ...my folks lived in Trinidad for two and a half years.

i spent time there, so i can imagine this...my dad fished off the coast across from venezuela...the atmosphere here reminded me of that.
thank you for bringing me back...even though i was not painting my nails while reading this...i felt it.

[Mel Lisa]

lol. yes glad I was able to give you that home feeling. I love the Caribbean, and I miss it some days. thanks for reading:)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it is a beautiful place...i have one really fond memory...in my parents' backyard fishing in the reservoir ...with an alligator about 15 feet away from me, just staring at me...
was quite cool...

[Roger Turgeon]

I felt not only your escape but your sense of pride. Enjoyed.

[Mel Lisa]

thank you very much!

[Tom]

A profound yet enlightening poetic write, despite the heartache like the pheonix from the ashes, you ascended to fly majestic and serene for the world to view !

An evoking, stimulating piece of literature, splendid !!

[Frieda P]

Holy Caribbean red this is an achingly poignant read. Took me many places in my mind, and the ending was killer, I don't usually read stories here but something told me to read this one, so glad I did. Awesome read Melecia.

[Mel Lisa]

Thank you very much Frieda! Glad you enjoyed this:)

[Frieda P]

My pleasure I enjoyed your bittersweet story Melecia. :-)

[Beau Maysey]

Wow, this is a nice prose piece, I like it a lot!
If I may ask, how inspired is this by true events?- I'd hate to think of a writer like you imprisoned behind the iron bars of religion (Christianity?) :(
But it sounds like you're looking back at a younger you and by this time you've freed yourself. I hope you were able to find success, love, and yourself outside of those restraints.
Not sure about the person portrayed at the beginning of the story- Whats the backstory there?
And I think the first 'I' is supposed to be 'she'?
Good imagery, nice metaphors, love the implications in here. The reference to Icarus was well-insterted, and adds well to the overall picture created here, especially since Greek legend probably fits into the category of "ungodly".
Overall, very well-done!!

[Mel Lisa]

thank you, yes this one is personal and is true depiction of growing up in Jamaica as a little girl without my family. this was a small event that stuck in my mind (every time I wear nail polish now lol). I got a spanking for wearing it too and a few name calling. yes it was my prison and was a rough time in my life. to this day I cant believe I survived it and became the young woman I am today. We see people and never know their back ground stories. we all have been through some hardships in life and others had it even rougher, they try it bury it, but it remains attached. Until we can fully forgive and see we had no control of such environment, especially as a child. but looking at me today you would never know! But I can write about these events with gratitude, no hate in my heart for anyone involved. this was inspired simply revisiting how good God has been to me from a child to now. and being able to take a chance in that moment knowing the risk showed that I was brave, strong and beautiful everything I was told I wasn't as a child...and that one day I would be free. God did not send Christ to put us in religious bondage, traditions and to focus on material things. he looks at our hearts. they did not show me Christ. they were monsters to me, evil people who were full of hate and malice. how is that Christian like? thanks for commenting and asking!

[Mel Lisa]

"they were monsters to me, evil people who were full of hate and malice. how is that Christian like?" I meant that from my perspective as a child at that time.

[Mel Lisa]

and the person in the beginning is my older self looking back:)

[Nina C Palmer]

This gave me a very vivid picture. Our childhoods seem very different yet emotionally mirrored. I connected with it very much.

[Mel Lisa]

And I am honored to make such personal connection! thanks for reading!