They bound my hair
and burned my shoes,
then stripped me of clothes
and entombed me at sea
with the others before me
who refused to sit silent
swaddled from view.
I choked on the bracken
and cried out for those
who knew of a land
that was pagan and free
to open the eyes of the ones
who surround me,
silent.
Thanks goes to Magpie Tales for the picture prompt, and today they turned 100! My link has been fixed. Sorry for the earlier broken one.
32 comments:
there is a price for being out spoken...and that is to be silenced...hmm...could be a scary glimpse into our reality...
This is a frightening poem. The whole idea of being powerless and of being persecuted for speaking is very scary indeed. Your poem made me think of the witch hunts of the late middle ages. Thank you for sharing.
Brian,
There is indeed for as some think, "a woman should be covered and quiet."
Thanks for commenting.
Linda,
Well there are the witch hunts, and then what is going on in many parts of the world today. Definitely scary. Thanks for stopping in!
Sadly there are many ways to be silenced in this day and age
Nicely written - I went on a similar tack
Gasp. This reminded me of Nick Cave's "Little Water Song" written from the perspective a woman being drowned. This image just couldn't conjure up happy words about love and fawns I guess. A powerful, short piece.
She truly needed a voice, and words. These provided her, work so very well.
wow...strong voice...esp. the first stanza let me sit here with an open mouth...and i agree with bri..there's a price for being out spoken..
Yvonne, I envy you! I can't write deep (no pun intended) poems like this. I can only do silly. Loved it!
WritePen,
Thanks. Yes, we were looking at this through the same lens.
Junkthief,
Really? I always feel undeserving when compared to any other more successful writer. Thank you so much.
Anthony,
Thank you! I tried to give her a voice. Glad it resonates.
Claudia,
Thank you so much. A price it seems a woman usually has to pay.
Frances,
No, not silly but clever and funny. There is a difference. Thank you.
and cried out for those
who knew of a land
that was pagan and free
Pagan sounds appealing...
Extraordinary...beautiful...
Pagan...pared back and powerful.
Trellissimo,
It is meant to be so. Thank you for being here.
Tess,
Thank you so much for this Maypie event. I haven't participated before, never seemed to have the time, but this one couldn't be passed up. You really know how to pick them. Thank you again for the opportunity to flex my brain.
Deborah,
Hi! Yes, I thought it the perfect word to fit what I wanted to say in a succinct way. Thank you very much.
I live reading stories, finding out what others see in a picture and how they bring that picture's story to life through words!
Really disturbing. And good.
=)
i loved every word..brilliant!!
Helen,
Are you saying you like mine? :)
It has been really interesting to see all the different interpretations of this sobering photo. Thanks!
Sue,
Thanks. If it invokes an emotion, I think that's good. Thanks again for commenting. I've meant so many new writers through this exercise.
Kay,
Thank you so much! Smiles
Powerful stuff! I love how you make me think :)
Beautiful! I have to admit, I didn't really notice the picture and I just read the poem first. It made me think of slavery, which is kind of on my mind since today is Martin Luther King Day.
Stunning work - as usual. :)
Yvonne this is stunning!!!
the crime of speaking out produces victims. this is our history.
Jemi,
Thanks! The same back to you!
Suzanne,
That's an interesting take. I can see where you would have thought that. I certainly can. Thank you so very much!
Carrie,
Thank you. It's always great to see a new face/name. Thanks again for reading my poem.
Ed,
Sadly true. There's no escaping it. Thanks.
Wow. What a great poem. Not unlike Thea Gilmore's WATER TO SKY :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRbI32ZewHQ
Thanks for visiting my blog and staying to chat a bit, Roland
Roland,
Thank you so much. And thanks for the link. I'll have to check it out.
Wow, what a beautiful, frightening poem.
Talli,
Hi there. Thank you so much. I love seeing you here.
this was chilling -- loved the reference to the others barely seen in the picture, btw
So sad, not even words where left.
Susan,
Thanks for commenting on my first Maypie Tale. The others bothered me but nobody else seemed to pay them any attention. Thanks again.
Pet,
Thanks for commenting, Pet. I always like it when you do. Yes, everytime I look at the picture I feel sad.
Just wow! I love this photo--and where it came from. I also love the beauty and impact of the words you've written about it.
Every word that leaves your fingertips is profound and I feel blessed each time I read them.
Thanks!
Intense. I like.
Cat,
Thank you. You are too kind. But I like it. This was a powerful image and evoked a powerful response. I'm glad you liked it.
Jo,
Hello. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Such good news you had on getting an agent. I again congratulate you.
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