Exit Stage Left

Cherry

By Bee

Fri, 29 May 2015
  • 3739 reads
15 comments
 

It flicks flared talons,

quick to catch

a hold on prey - invades

adjacent spaces.



Insidious, its digits fan 

and pierce clean flesh. It thumbs 

its nose and bums a lift in blood; 

taps tattoos through shattered bone



to reappear remote, till

near its destination breath 

hacks thick and ragged; 

hard to take.



If we were dogs, a vet would 

end our pain, not leave us

long to linger, dreading we might

suffer torture to a bitter end.



Still, nothing's certain, but 

uncertainty, where every player

craves a quiet exit

from that final stage. 

Certificate 15
Poem
Unclassified

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Vibrant picture. A flipover half way. The important word being uncertainty – who would take responsibility for knowing what is to/should come? The end of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is helpful on the end of this journey, one helping another. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thank you Rhiannon. That's helpful.

Bee

Submitted by socialeaf on

A hard-hitting piece. The sliver of hope for a painless death having being overcome by such a honed hunter. Well written:) 

 

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks socialeaf. 

Bee

Submitted by jeand on

HI Bee

So powerful is this writing - and so painful but beautiful and certainly very true.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks Jean. Glad there was beauty. 

Bee

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Suffused in pain, uncertainty a mixed blessing. I am glad you lay this reality out in front of us, it is not something we can hide from, reality.

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks Philip.

Bee

Submitted by VeraClark on

'It' is conveyed in such a loathsome way. The words fall off the tongue, loaded with assonance and quickly barked bitter. Made me think of Voldemort. He shall not be. A poem to be heard in a room full of listeners. The flip over is deft, Bee, you offer a hand out or do you.

 

Submitted by Bee on

The uncertainty at the end of your comments is fitting. Thank you so much. 

Bee

Submitted by Ed Crane on

but I have to tell you I know exactly where this is coming from. For you I hope it passes.

 

Submitted by Bee on

Please don't worry about commenting on anything I attempt, Ed., and if you understand where this is all coming from, your thoughts are all the more valuable to me. 

Thank you.

xx

Bee

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

This is an excellent poem! I'm sorry the vet can't oblige. It's a shame we have to suffer. 

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by Bee on

Yes, shame about the vet:) 

Thanks AE.

Bee

Submitted by Bee on

Thanks Eds for reading, and for cherries.

Bee