The Language of Pain




Art by Audrey


pain is the whistle between my teeth
on cold mornings when dew lies heavy

pain is the woman whose blood runs
chasing her children
knowing she will never catch them before
time runs out

pain is the mill we grind
pulling it round
to spot ourselves a $5 or a $50
to pay that last bill

pain is the language
we speak
when we forget the others

it speaks in the clearest tones
from the jar on my tongue

copyright/all rights reserved Audrey Howitt 2016

Posted today at d'verse

Comments

  1. This poem is so well crafted. The form - particularly, the repetition - is haunting. Pain is visceral and you've, brilliantly, articulated the deep and soulful wounds that make up the language of pain. Awesome writing, Audrey.

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  2. You, my friend, are a skilled craftsman. I don't use that description often of other writers.

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    1. Thank you for being such a loyal follower Bill--you are such an inspiration to me as a writer!

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  3. This is not only well composed it reaches out and touches

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  4. I agree with all of the above - the stanza of the mother resonated the clearest for me along with your perfect last line...bkm. Thank you for stopping at my blog

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  5. Superbly written Audrey ~ That pain in the ending lines resonate so strongly ~ If you would like to participate, we have OpenLinkNight this Thursday at D'verse ~ It would be wonderful to have this as part of the collection ~

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    2. Thank you Grace--Thursday is a good day for me --so hopefully I will see you there!

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    3. A beautiful share Audrey ~ Thanks for joining us ~

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  6. Creative and your poetic words certainly express those emotions

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  7. Very nice. I also like the form of this poem, giving it a haunting feeling.

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  8. I enjoyed this very much--I like how you start and end in the first person and go elsewhere in between--and the 'jar on my tongue' at the end creates both understanding and intrigue. Janice

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  9. You had me floored with the opening lines, Audrey ❤️ Beautifully penned (as always)


    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  10. This is wonderful Audrey, the way a list and the focus around pain rings so true in the different aspects of pain.

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  11. Why is it that pain is the touchstone of all spiritual growth, and overspills the jar of poetry? Though much more real and present and vital as you write it here.

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  12. This is so well written, Audrey. I can feel that pain whistling between my teeth; I was that woman chasing my child and grinding the mill for much needed money. I really love the way you sum it up in the final lines:
    'it speaks in the clearest of tones
    from the jar on my tongue'.

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  13. The last verse is stunning...and a stunning poem..pain is all those things but you write it with much grace.

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  14. I would call this a masterfully crafted piece, because it is heavy yet light at the same time, without losing its meaning. I really enjoyed reading!

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  15. Such wonderful imagery that captures the consistency and relentlessness of pain. Thanks for joining in with OLN.

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  16. This speaks volumes to me, it shows depth of understanding that comes through pain and life experiences. I am she- the woman running after her children, pulling the millstone. Thankyou for a lovely poem. XXXXXXXX

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  17. I like the image at the end...the jar on my tongue. That really works.

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  18. Pain in all of its instances. One just can't run away from it all. Pain has to be encountered that things can be expected to move before they can fall into place! Very true Audrey! You captured it very well! And nice art!

    Hank

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  19. Pain does indeed have its own language, and oh, how it speaks. Beautifully written, Audrey.

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  20. I was very sad and disappointed with the news ~ I pray he and other leaders seek for unity and peace in these times ~ Spread love, not hate nor fear ~ Take care Audrey ~

    ตารางคะแนน

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