People don’t change (1st February, 2011)
I watch you try to rearrange your spots,
leopard-skin shining in the light of
mustered illusion. You hold an unsure
hand: too many Jacks, and just one Queen.
I watch you bleed your heart free from your past,
squeeze out the last few drops of present sins
as the red runs thin. You paint a pretty
scene; you pencil in the two of us.
I remind myself that people don’t change:
Promises are made to be broken;
Secrets crafted for revelation;
Lies never completely hide the truth.
In the interim, I have flown free of fears,
mended the tears in my sinews, patched
the ragged fibres of that pumping muscle,
tried not to miss you…
I have made time stand still by myself,
made the earth move without your help,
shed the inhibition.
I feel you slither your snake arms round me,
creep your lips across my face, muttering
a mantra, a motto, crafted from words
alone: ‘I’ve missed you, please come home.’
I remind myself that people don’t change:
Broken still, the promises you made;
Revealed, the secrets you crafted;
Truth, unhidden, as the lies slip, slide…
You are treading on my newfound pride.
Listen: underneath our wills and our ways,
inside our means, beside our limited days,
I still maintain, there is just one question:
Did you learn that all important lesson?
People
Don’t
Change.
Jennifer Pickup
Comments
seashore | February 2, 2011 - 08:20
I like this very much - in particular the opening stanza which pulls you straight in and the rest flows from there.
fatboy74 | February 2, 2011 - 09:24
Yes, agree with seashore, very much enjoyed. ATB FB
Silver Spun Sand | February 2, 2011 - 12:25
Liked this,Jennifer. Very much;-)
Tina
celticman | February 2, 2011 - 19:19
no change here. I like it too.
JoseHdz | February 2, 2011 - 19:51
this is beautifully written. especially enjoyed this line:
You are treading on my newfound pride.
says it all :) well deserved cherry.
cheers,
jose.
jennifer | February 2, 2011 - 20:29
Thank you, everyone, for all your lovely comments, this one was brewing in my head for a while and just came spilling out last night!
Glad it has gone down so well!
J x
ScoZen | February 2, 2011 - 20:33
ScoZen.
Ahh, dear Jennifer.
I enjoyed this, I like the...
"...leopard-skin shining in the light of
mustered illusion..."
How true this is "...People don’t change..."
Or am I being cynical?
Regards
SundaysChild | February 3, 2011 - 13:04
Good stuff and I agree with it for the most part- though you can sometimes be pleasantly surprised!
Cavalcaderl | February 3, 2011 - 15:09
new Jennifer
I liked this truth one.
You have done as the author.
They do say a Leopard never changes
his spot's don't they.But we can
and do try many times. Good see you back
Sorry well deserved cherry!.
julie.x
jennifer | February 3, 2011 - 16:32
Thank you for your reactions to this! I must confess that, although it sounds cynical, I truly believe this. I believe that people don't change - they just reveal more of themselves to you the more you know them. One day, somebody might prove me wrong and I'll write a less vitriolic poem!
J x
tcook | February 3, 2011 - 18:15
This is our Facebook and Twitter pick of the day.
Join us on Facebook at ABCtales.com
Join us on Twitter @tcookabctales
Get a great reading recommendation most days (although there will be a brief hiatus for the next week or so!)
jennifer | February 3, 2011 - 18:31
Thank you Tony, that's a real boost, first thing I've written in ages! Yey!
J x
Cavalcaderl | February 5, 2011 - 20:43
new Jennifer
Congrats: on being chosen
Facebook and Twitter of the day.
and the cherry!
Mine is alway's changing his mind
Leopard has so many spots doesn't it.
julie x
Dynamaso | February 21, 2011 - 05:54
Been away too long and have much to catch up on but had to let you know this is an absolute gem!