Reflected Light
Morgue File
Teacake
I
I wanted to
write
thru every
feeling
but in the end,
I only felt
empty
II
When tears
come
I let them
fall
flow down my
cheeks
until they
find my breasts
and I remember
when they
leaked too
III
Your clothes
are mountains
curving down
to meet my eyes
I watch you,
so ready to leave
naked, palming
my cheeks
until I lose my
sight
and only
remember your smell
copyright/all rights reserved Audrey Howitt 2019
posted for Poets United Pantry
copyright/all rights reserved Audrey Howitt 2019
posted for Poets United Pantry
"I watch you, so ready to leave..." This makes me think of a child leaving home, which always comes too soon for a parent. Later, when they look back, the usually wish they had not been in such a hurry.
ReplyDeleteThere is something extra melancholy about those tears, traveling so far, coating the heart in liquid hurt...
ReplyDeleteThe third stanza made me laugh. The last one was fulfilling.
ReplyDeleteSuch a moody poem. I liked it.
ReplyDeleteII - speaks of a mother and child relationship. The breasts that once fed to the tears of loss.
ReplyDeleteWow.. that was intense...
ReplyDeleteYour poem touched me to the core, Audrey, especially the second stanza and end of the third stanza.
ReplyDeleteYour poetry should be required reading in Lit classes across the country.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to be one of those moms that documented everything , but well, life happened and I gave that up completely. Still I remember my children's babyhoods and childhoods so well. My eldest brought his mountain of clothes back from college. LOL, they all need washing, but I'm still getting caught up making memories playing video games with him and having lively political discussions. And just enjoying the summer until he goes back in the fall.
ReplyDeleteThis is incredibly poignant and intense! I could feel every word.
ReplyDeleteI love the sparseness in this poem... the way we cannot write about the pain, and in the end there is that lingering scent...
ReplyDeleteYour second stanza got me as I remembered my leaky breasts. That time was one of such tight bonding and then the other phases of their growing...and leaving, can leave us heartbroken. The brevity brought it home even more.
ReplyDeleteGayle ~
Dear Audrey,
ReplyDeleteLovely to be here again after a long absence!
Your poem captures something of the wrench when a child grows up, becomes more independent and then leaves home...an amazing review of that relationship..
Hi Audrey. I admire your writing so much. You say so much in few words and that is a special gift. I felt this one. Also, I haven't been by in a while so your header was new to me-stunning! - Jen
ReplyDelete