You had the last word – branded me with it.
Ran myself a bath to remove your mark
and made sure steam pencilled out the mirror.
I slid into the grey water to stew.
But it was too hot - almost volcanic.
My knees rose, red islands. I was on fire.
The plan failed. Finally bored with burning,
I pulled the plug. Sweet, certain gravity;
a tornado tangoed over the hole.
Water rushed to it – an escaping sea
drawn in by the bitter, heart-broken moon.
The warmth withdrew. Left me beached, stranded;
the dry, shrivelled whale giving her swan song.
Shivering, I curled up like a foetus –
surprised with the perfect fit; stark bath-womb.
Stayed there, waiting for the numbness to leave.
That – or my sister and the soft, hot hands
of a towel, telling me it’s OK.
Comments
Jupiter | July 2, 2009 - 19:34
Hi Magic. Lovely piece ;-)
How strange you are mentioning whales whilst I was posting dolphins! Must be something in the 'atmosphere-womb' :-)
MistakenMagic | July 2, 2009 - 19:42
Thank you Jupiter ... now how did that saying go? Great minds think about sea life at the same time? ;)
Magic xxx
Jupiter | July 2, 2009 - 19:44
That's exactly how it goes ;-)
Meant to say how much I love the hot hands of a towel line. :-)
MistakenMagic | July 2, 2009 - 19:47
Awww thanks, yeah the last two stanzas are probably my favourite of the poem. The poem is dedicated to my little sister who helped me out when I was going through the rough time the poem talks about - a dab-hand with a towel she us ;)
Magic xxx
sarah wilson | July 3, 2009 - 11:05
Very beautifully put Magic:) sarah x
MistakenMagic | July 3, 2009 - 12:33
Thank you Sarah!
Magic xxx
threeleafshamrock | July 3, 2009 - 16:34
Very good Magic and up to your normal standard.
Chris XX
MistakenMagic | July 3, 2009 - 16:42
Thank you Chris ;) Glad to know I'm not slipping!
Magic xxx
Nathan Bednarek | July 3, 2009 - 18:42
This is really good and very atmospheric! Well done Magic!
Nathan xox
Silver Spun Sand | July 4, 2009 - 08:54
I really like this one, Magic. As Nathan says, you conjure up the atmosphere ver well...but with a name like yours, that must be easy;-)
Tina xxx
MistakenMagic | July 4, 2009 - 09:52
Thank you Nathan and Tina, so glad you like it as it is one of my personal favourites!
Magic xxx
beaste | April 26, 2011 - 18:04
I loved the metaphors magic, very beautiful
MistakenMagic | April 26, 2011 - 22:15
Thanks beaste! :) This is an oldie, and I'd almost forgotten about it - thanks for reminding me ;)
Magic xxx