My public face, many remark,
smiles joyously.
Not false, no mask –
nor the whole story.
Showering yesterday,
I felt my private face
twist suddenly, sobbing
for the foolish reason
that I couldn't remember
if I bought that shower head
before or after you died.
A self-portrait quadrille written for dVerse.
Oh this absolutely touched me -- I wondered about the title and then understood. The loss of "a loved one" -- that phrase is too pat - too matter-of-fact for the reality, isn't it? The memories pop in and the smallest is magnified against the largest void. ThIs is the essence of loss. So beautifully sad. May you smile today my friend, with gentle memories.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your understanding. :)
DeleteWe all have our private face and I understand why certain memories would haunt us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us Rosemary. And yes, you look wonderful with that hat.
My assertion all along is that inspiration (and emotion) are found everywhere we look. The shower head certainly touched something deeply and prompted more than a poem. There were memories disguising itself as this mundane appliance. Don't let them haunt you. They all serve a purpose, Rosemary!
ReplyDeleteYou had me with the title...and ALL the way through. touching beauty!
ReplyDeleteI want to hug you right now. Not just because the poem is an emotion magnet, but because I know the feeling. I kept a lot of my little brother's things... and sometimes, when I can't remember how he wore something, or if I got it for him... Well, my heart just breaks a little... and the pieces spill out of my eyes.
ReplyDeleteExactly! It is the not quite remembering that is devastating.
Deleteso deeply touching...nothing is trifle in this world, time tells us that...all part of our unique journey...sigh...beautifully penned...
ReplyDeleteYou are the cutest thing ever!!! I big-time love your hat. We would be such good hang-out buddies. ... This is all in response to the photo. Now, for the poem ...
ReplyDeleteI think this is my favorite of your poems. This has every speck of the perfection I would like to see in published poetry. It's sharp and hard-hitting at the end. It tugs at my emotions, but not so much that I walk away feeling yucky or overwhelmed by sadness. This is a remarkable poem.
If you publish, publish this. Even just the last seven lines. It gets straight to the point and twists my tummy.
Yes, I think I'd adore to hang out with you! And how very smart you are to pick that the last seven lines are the real poem. (Maybe I'd have to change or omit 'private' ... or maybe not. {Pondering....)
DeleteI have been thinking it must be time I created some more chapbooks, but hanging off because there are some big collaborations in the pipeline.
Thanks.
Oh this is moving, Rosemary. I know how suddenly those tears come over us.........I LOVE your rainbow photo!
ReplyDeleteThe ending gob-smacked me, Rosemary. Indeed, we can be basically joyous but we are also all those losses that come to us throughout life--especially the loss of a soul-mate/spouse.
ReplyDeleteI really love this so much in a few words...you are open and honest with yourself and your feelings...thank you...bkm
ReplyDeleteI think many of us can relate to this. Very touching.
ReplyDeleteYou are frightened. You are beginning to forget the intensity of him.
ReplyDeleteIt is part of the recovery/survival process.
sad
too sad
too too sad
but
a brilliant write.
Capturing that raw emotion is only possible in short verse.You did it. Few can. Chapeau !
You'll get through because you want to.
Thanks; I expect you're right.
Deletethe last seven lines...oh my. The poem in those lines. Touching but also so very brave.
ReplyDeletegood poem,
ReplyDeleteThis is so good. I was very moved by the unexpected ending. Definitely one of my favourite responses to the prompt.
ReplyDeleteVery powerful poem, Rosemary. You took a detail of life & used it to create a very 'telling' self portrait.
ReplyDelete