I want to crawl inside you
like a suitcase and live there
forever, the safest place.
You saved me last summer when Chinese
a/c’s drip drop dripped onto my anxious
head. You took me home so I wouldn’t
be freaked by all the people
in Times Square.
When I was younger and makeshift
blades swung across my skin
like scythes, I lied so many times
you bandaged me
and showed me
what life was really like.
My heart had been
washed out and wrung out again
and again, a wrinkled sack
rather than a blood red organ.
When I hear “I love you”
I can only shrug
“How much?”
I wish I were able to shape
my thoughts into something
I can say out loud
or breathe into the air:
a cold winter sky
filling up with:
I’m-sorries.
Comments
hudsonmoon | February 3, 2012 - 15:24
Well that was quick. I was noticing you hadn't posted anything in a while and now there you are.
Such a great opening line. I don't always know why I like a particular poem of yours other than to say they feel real and I come away feeling I've really bitten into something good.
Rich
PS. I was born and raised in NYC and am still freaked out by the people in Times Square.
Florian | February 3, 2012 - 16:34
I don't quite know why either, probably the sincerity but I like this very much too.
maggyvaneijk | February 4, 2012 - 09:14
Thanks to you both!
Cavalcaderl | February 4, 2012 - 11:28
new maggvaneijk
Hello! Another great little gem!
Like all of it. So many words of
expression to real life!
But truly well written.
Last few lines;
A cold winter sky
filling up with:
I'm-sorries.
Good to hear from you,keep writing.
And warm.
Are your's from life's experiences.
julie x
MistakenMagic | February 5, 2012 - 16:54
"I want to crawl inside you like a suitcase" - has to be one of the best opening lines of poetry I've ever read! Really like this one, Maggy - brilliant title too!
Magic xxx
shoe | February 5, 2012 - 17:42
I read this and came back to read again, something about it leaves me wanting more (in good way) The last two verses hooked me especially.
insertponceyfre... | February 7, 2012 - 14:29
please add me to the list of people swept away by the first stanza! Fantastic poem
one little thing:
When I was younger and make shift
blades swung across my skin
ignore if you did it deliberately, but usually makeshift is all one word
maggyvaneijk | February 7, 2012 - 15:01
not deliberate, thanks for pointing that out!
tcook | February 7, 2012 - 17:02
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oldpesky | February 9, 2012 - 19:29
This, and you posting only one poem a month, is what's leaving me and many others wanting more. Like everyone else I loved that opening line.
maggyvaneijk | February 9, 2012 - 19:50
Thanks Pesky!
Sooz006 | May 8, 2012 - 15:57
Hall of fame top ten opening lines for me to,
When I was younger and makeshift
blades swung across my skin
like scythes, I lied so many times
Not autobiographical but written as though they are, one hell of a writer.