Sunday 23 October 2011

No More Bridges

You take out your blade
and cut down the clouds.
Their softness a blight
in your hard edged world.

You collate all the bridges
and you set them a burning.
Until everything's destroyed
but their rusted-out bones.

You drag the singing bird
down from the cloudless sky.
Its feathered beauty, stretched
and ragged in your idle hands.

You judge the nods and winks
as evidence of your belonging.
A cracked glaze on a broken pot
that leaks, and spills, and stains.

You think it is just beginning,
the tide rolling in and carrying
your long awaited ship in its swell.
You do not see the rocks you made.

And you can straighten the cushions,
put on the kettle, and bake a fine cake.
But your house is barren, and the path
to your doorway is covered in thorns.


Written for The Sunday Whirl - using all of the words.

A strange and bitter tale arose out of these words for me this week. I 'got' the first two lines and just went from there.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Clever use of the words, Susannah.

Mary said...

Oh, this is dark, dark, dark. The evil is palpable, the stuff of nightmares. I must be sure to lock my doors tonight. Chilling, but good, wordle.

Dr. Pearl Ketover Prilik (PKP) said...

Absolutely a stunner....the few lines blade cutting down the clouds exquisite :)

irene said...

This is a touching response and about something terribly personal, because having no bridges is a terribly place to be. Good job Susannah!

Daydreamertoo said...

What a sad and bitter life this person would lead if it were true.
Great imagery, glad it isn't. :)

Chronicles of Illusions said...

This is so dark and powerful - the third stanza is chilling with it's imagery - love it

Mike said...

A powerfully dark and sinister piece of writing Susannah.
Some really powerful imagery - especially the first two lines.
A great read.

Janet Martin said...

This is stunning, chilling and heart-breaking, the elements of great poetry:) LOVE it.

Laurie Kolp said...

Susannah- Wow... this is powerful and so beautiful. I especially like the first stanza. Thank you.

flaubert said...

Love the imagery in this piece, Susannah. Dark it is, but so well-written.

Pamela

Traci B said...

Fantastic piece about the dangers of being judgmental, Susannah. Love the line "you collate the bridges" - what a vivid picture that created.

Nanka said...

Well done again Susannah!! I read resentment and a feeling of deep and bitter anger which gradually turns to realization of a truth!!

Mike Patrick said...

The power of a clouds “softness being a blight in your hard edged world,” is stunning. It is one of those special phrases I like to fold and put away until needed again.

Marianne said...

Nice flow to this darkly powerful poem, Susannah!

The Noiseless Cuckooclock said...

you have given your readers power here.

superb take.

brenda w said...

I am loving "their softness a blight / in your hard edged world." Writing like this gets me. It's driven in part by anger, and lately I can relate. It's time to remember to breathe.

I'm so glad you wordle with us, Susannah. Forgive my late reading. The week keeps running away from me. Your writing is strong, and I always enjoy my stops here.

Susannah said...

Thanks very much everyone. :-)

This was another strange tale pulled out of the depths of wordledom!

Good to see you all. x

Sherry Blue Sky said...

WOW! This is such great writing. So powerful, and the last stanza is amazing.

Susannah said...

Thanks very much Sherry. :-)

Good to see you. x

Timoteo said...

OH, SUSANNAH !

Brilliant...especially the first stanza! What imagery!

Susannah said...

Thanks very much Tim. :-)
Good to see you. x

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