Why?
By
I cleaned the kitchen
even the crumbs between
the grout
that was so annoying
last week when I promised
remember? I promised on
my knees to you
that I would never be so
disgusting again and get
you so angry
Remember
so why?
Everything is clean
the laundry is done
and the towels folded
the way they should be
not the way I did by mistake
so why?
and I even have on the
red lace thing that you
bought underneath
my shirt
and I am trying
hard not to let
a single drop of
dripping blood
stain it
I’m sorry I asked
why?
Because I know
how much you
love me and that
there must
must be
a reason
that I’m just
too ignorant to
see
No Umbrella Needed
By
They didn’t take an umbrella to play
They were five and six, boy and girl
Running knee deeper into the lapping lake
On a bright sunbathed day
They didn’t take an umbrella
Did not inherit the excuses of their families
For why they should not play together
When lightning cut the sky and thunder clapped
They joined wet pruned fingers and ran through
Lapping water past the shore to
The oak tree in the grassy center, their haven
Under low reaching summer full oak leaves, they
Sat close, bumping bodies for warmth, half laying- leaning against
The sturdy thick trunk and then
Vowed with a pecked kiss to
Meet again
When they were grown
On this same day
Vowed to bring no umbrella despite the weather
And smiled in satisfied sighed silence
As rain spattered the lapping lake
And light-shifts lifted the clouds
As a falling shimmering sun fell quickly
And they rose and ran through the wet grass
Laughing
Home with hair slick soaked
They were five and six, boy and girl
No umbrella needed when the rain falls
Diamond droplets of pittered-patter-pleasure
That first one, wow! I kept wondering if he had died - and then the ending got me. Very powerful. And the second one is so sweet and tender. I love that moment of the boy and girl agreeing to meet again when they're grown. Really nice work!
I loved both of these in different ways. Why? could have been in Beyond the Dark Room. In many ways it's the thoughts any abused woman has and it's very disturbing. I loved the images in both and especially in No Umbrella Needed: "Diamond droplets of pittered-patter-pleasure".
Oh, Pearl. "No Umbrella Needed" is just wonderful. Such powerful images here, in both poems. Excellent work.
Really remarkable poems, Pearl, capturing very different lives and meanings of love. Agree with Misky that "Why" was disturbing and yet impossible to take the eyes off of.
Pearl, Misky said it so well! I had a similar reaction to the first poem but could not find the words to describe my response. Thanks Misky!
Dear Misky and Pat - thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and to comment. It means a great deal to me. Misky - of course I am delighted that you were pulled along, do not intend to disturb except when material itself is disturbing and thrilled that the second poem was 'unfrazzling." Patricia ... "powerful" is perhaps one of my favorite adjectives. Thank you so much. I WELCOME ALL COMMENTS... I you stop by and peek take a moment if you possibly can to leave a reaction. We write because we have to ... We publish because we like to be read (at least IMHO). :)
The first one, "Why" is very disturbing, and I almost found it difficult to read ... yet I was pulled along with it against my will. An astonishing and disturbing piece, Pearl. The second one was a welcome relief from the way the first left me frazzled. I could actually feel my pulse dropping to normal again as I read it.
Powerful poems, Pearl!