Body Bag

...just when you thought it was safe..

Body Bag

“... If I could turn the clocks

back, I wouldn’t be headed for

a body bag.”

~~ from the song “Body Bag” by Bear Tooth

~~~

The blows came

one after another,

all I could do

was drop and curl

in the corner,

until his rage was spent

and I was twisted and bent.

Then, just as quickly

it was over

and I could see

the body bag

laying on the floor.

~~~

Black, synthetic material

winked at me,

inviting me in,

into it’s nylon zippered embrace,

leaving no trace

of who I once was,

or would ever be.

~~~

If I could turn back time,

I could have seen the body bag coming;

like I now can see,

there, on the horizon,

a light glows.

Is it a new morning;

or fire from below?

redzone 4.19.16

NOTE: I spent this past week recovering from

surgery at my son’s home. My grandson (also a writer of poetry)

generously gave up his bedroom. There on the wall I found the 

beginning quote from Bear Tooth. I went and listened to the song

“Body Bag” and then wrote this poem. I invited ny grandson to 

contribute but he said he liked the poem the way it was. We will

collaborate on another poem and I will post.

Author's Note

thank you for reading...

Reviews

[Karen]

Great poem! I was draw in by the imagery and the flow. I really enjoyed it even in its darkness.

[redzone]

Thanks Karen, I am glad you did... and yes, abuse in any form is "dark", as well as unnecessary...

so, can I ask, what's with the finger gun to your head??

[Karen]

lol, I was bored at work and wanted to go home (it was already past 8 p.m.). I did a duck face and the finger to display how this job was boring me to death.

[redzone]

lol... I know this feeling well!!! hope it helped...

[Lydia Shutter]

I think we give in to darkness too easily at times. We believe it is not worth fighting....but it always is. That body bag is not ready for you yet, my friend....not for a long time. Life strikes us down and it seems that things come in a one-two punch often. Show 'em what you got, Curt....fight to the finish! :) While the lyrics you posted are great, I have to admit I could not get through listening to the song. I hope your grandson does collaborate with you soon....he is right on this one....perfect as it is. Lydi**

[redzone]

hi Lydi, yes Nicky and I will collaborate that's for sure...

as for the song, speed metal is an aquired taste.. I chose the song not just because it was the reason for writing the poem to begin with, but because of it's straight forward, rage and anger at abuse.... to be honest, it has taken me a while to be able to really enjoy speed metal music, but I do like this song...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i hope the surgery was successful and you will be completely recovered in the near future...

i found the poem intriguing...felt like you were writing from the female point of view---an abusive relationship...how close she kept coming ---and how eventually the person she had been has already died, whether she is able to leave the relationship or not...already and mental and emotional death...physical to follow if she stays...

j.

[redzone]

thank you Jacob, I like your approach to the poem and to your views on it...

I must also say that while this abuse does more often happen to women, it also happens to little boys as well and with this poem, I was more speaking in general and not from a female or male voice.. but it is not misinterpreting if read in either voice and any relationship that is abusive to someone.

I have enjoyed how people are reading this poem Jacob and I did write it so that it could be seen in different ways or from different voices or senerios... it is kind of how I looked at and listened to the music and song from Bear Tooth...

Jacob I always appreciate your views on my poems, they come at things from a different and often more insightful angle... thanks...

[Lyn Anderson]

What a great way to announce your recovery. And a beautiful, powerful poem, with an important message. Your empathy is apparent, and the song, and the band, I love. I am glad he left it for you to be inspired by. P.S. I know you left the it's just for me -- (its nylon ...)

[redzone]

Hi KL... am I getting too predictable with my it's and its??? lol.. How could I not add something just for you to find KL??? it would be like looking at a clear night sky and not seeing the stars.. besides, you love finding my little "gift" errors, right... lol and it is the only way that I can drive you a bit crazy as in the Prince song... so KL go crazy if the elevator breaks down as it always does in my poems...

did I say thank you for reading and commenting??? well consider it now officially thank you'd...

[Lyn Anderson]

tee hee. Love ya.

[Pryde Foltz]

Hope you are well on the mend, Curt. Highly-relateabe write for me the week. In need of a rest on my end:)

[redzone]

hey there Pryde... rest okay, but I do not want to see you in a body bag, okay!! Nope, never... nor being abused in any way.. so there!!

sounds like a busy week you had, time for relaxing and enjoying.. going to talk to your son about giving you some extra hugs and kid kisses... so he can say, "i'm here mommy, no worries"... ;0)

hope you are well Pryde and thanks for dropping by...

[Pryde Foltz]

Thanks Curt. Not to worry ... just a metaphorical ones ... from metamorphic ones a new day brings rebirth:)

[redzone]

okay Pryde, still going to talk your son though just to make sure the metaphors stay metaphoric and so I do not have to worry...

[Pryde Foltz]

No ... he is a peach:)

[Coyote Poetry]

The poem is outstanding.
"Black, synthetic material
winked at me,
inviting me in,
into it’s nylon zippered embrace,
leaving no trace
of who I once was,
or would ever be."
I had to read a few times. The above lines were my favorite. Strong topic left a lot for the reader to think about. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[redzone]

Thanks so much... you know a friend of my grandson who read the poem said the same thing about those lines, that they were their favorite lines too... it is always good to hear that something you have written struck a chord with people... thanks again for reading and leaving your great comment

[Coyote Poetry]

Was my pleasure and you are welcome.

[barleygirl]

Your poem is very thought-provoking. Altho I'm not sure I'm following the meaning as you may have intended it, I was getting some strong ideas of my own. The first 5 lines remind me of times in life when everything is so freakin' painful & difficult, it feels like I'm a punching bag or like the next punch will surely kill me. The last 3 lines of the 2nd stanza speak to me of how some relationships are so abusive & damaging, you end up in a body bag afterwards, "leaving no trace . . . " and so on . . . unable to resume life as the person you once were. Good job crafting this analogous message that probably has a different meaning for every reader.

[redzone]

I think different people will get different meanings from the poem... I like your take on this poem... the song and album by Bear Tooth is about abuse and parental abuse and how you feel alone in attempting to deal with it and the scars left inside... far too many people have suffered such abuse..

I am glad you read and got the poem.. thank you for sharing your thoughts...

[barleygirl]

Yes, I'm talking about childhood abuse too, which I endured for years (sexual, verbal, & fists) . . . as Oprah says (another survivor): "my abuser killed the person I might've been."

[redzone]

I know that the scars run deep and often never really heal... I also know that the person you have become is one that anyone who takes the time to listen to and get to know is a person who is more than those scars, but someone who deeply cares and acts with kindness to others... some one worth knowing... it can be real scary, but if you don't mind my saying, you are a woman who has value and worth, hope you realize this as well...

[barleygirl]

Thank you for your encouraging words. I neglected to mention that, even tho my abusers killed the "me" I might've been, I'm completely satisfied with the "me" I managed to become (after years of limping along with broken parts) . . . thanks again (((HUGS)))

[redzone]

now this is wonderful early morning (here in NYC) news to hear... good for you!!! ;0)

[barleygirl]

Still dark here in California, but the crescent moon is shining down on my & my furries . . .

[redzone]

kinda dreary and rainy here.. much better weather for furries than your crescent moon... just send them this way and I can give them a propper burial in a rainy sea... lol

so, a good morning to you and all you love...

[barleygirl]

Supposed to be 80* today, so we'll be enjoying the sun . . . I'll send you some, but I'm keeping my beloved furries! *smile*

[redzone]

I have a feeling those "furries" are Not furious, but soft cuddly and furry in which case I apologies for wanting to send them out to sea... do you have a favorite???

[barleygirl]

My menagerie consists of 1 cat, 2 dogs, 2 bunnies. They wake me up way too early, I have to let them outside, feed them, then they all go back to bed for a few more hours, but I'm wide awake & shivering here at my computer while they snore! *sheesh!*

[redzone]

lol... I understand completely... and I am guessing the cat rules everyone (you too)... and it seems like you spoil them all very nicely... maybe one day you will wake up and they will have coffee ready for you!!! hmmm there is a poem in this somewhere.... lol

[Sami Khalil]

Hope you are recovering well as you share this inspiration with us. I can see the role model grandpa to him and the willingness to share. As far as body bags, I have witnessed few of those growing up in civil war. Keep inspiring us...:)..................

[redzone]

thanks so much Sami, I am sorry that you have witnessed body bags.. not something to have seen... my grandson posted a few poem here at WC.. under nicolas taylor carlin..

and thanks, I am recovering pretty good.. I am glad you enjoyed the poem..

[Sami Khalil]

All good. You are welcome...:)...............