I am a mad woman with a mystifying map of my tomorrows,
but no less medusaesque meaning to be placed on it
than were the times I tripped into the same hole
in the same detour I had taken over and over
until I learned to walk another way.
I am a wild woman with willfulness to my walk,
head down, head up, but striding surely into new dawns
as if I held a handful of stars I had collected
from the sky’s garden the night before.
I am a bent-over woman, dropped to my knees
to study the feel of clay creations
that are made when someone molds my hands
to theirs and a form finds its way to being
an icon or a totem, a singing bit of mud
that harmonizes the heart’s need to continue to create.
I am a dried reed, shushing the humming green
grasses and sky-carving songs of birds bent on belief
that there will always be another day,
another way to set feelings free, while I rattle
this skeletal spine with the knowledge of being absent
but present even as I lay down my bent-blossomed blessings.
I am a root, crawling deeper in fearsome frosts,
waiting for reason to stretch out my fortunate
fine fetal attachments and break through
a warmed crust to join those unfurling ferns
on frost-filigreed soil that might not be ready for me yet.
I am a gifted woman, handing out promises
in printed paper that wraps the wasteland
with hope that even a weed can be beautiful
if a weed will wrangle the clods and clots
out of the way in order to wave my ribbons
in a breeze of blessings to a wearied world.
I am a headstrong woman, who waits out each year
with wide-open eyes, knowing that balance
comes from being willing to be bent to the brace
of a good god that planted me here for reason,
or treason, for rhyme and time, for fringe or shawl
sureties that wild and wonderful has a place to be.
Come women who have withstood the weather,
the wrestling and the wry wrinkles of another year;
be wild with me, be winsome, be ridiculous,
be willing to cast off the curious and dance
to a new moon, a new night, a new reason
to realize the dreams of being dear and different.
Author notes
4. In some cultures what I do would be considered normal.
If it be not normal, then let it be me...I woudl be that one weed in a garden of beauties...simply to be different and make them more beautiful in my difference.
jopg....audrey shidwikiy
In a list
A contest entry
- New Year's Resolutions by huguenauties.
600 points, ended January 12, 2007, 7 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 21 of 21
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I can see why you and Night Hope are soul sisters. The fire in your heart is like the fire in the burning bush; It gives an astounding glow to your words, burns the chaff, but the heart remains untouched by the sound and fury, dross consumed and gold only left. I am fascinated watching it assume the designs of your being. For what you dare, I have often wished, and find myself coming to it far too slowly.
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Congratulations Carl on your GOLD win.
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I forgot I was logged into another ID when I wrote the above comment... just thought I'd let you know
Dee
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Awesome !!
This is truly a wonderful poem, my friend
You've come across like the wildness of which you speak, your title is perfect
It's truly a meaningful piece, filled with the hopes, acceptance and dreams of a woman true to herself.
I wish you the best of luck in the contest
love and
Dee
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Hello, Dee, dear friend. Yes, I lvoe this time of life when we can be free to finally be who we always were. I was always trying to be such a role model for my children that I almost forgot who I really meant to be. Now, either they join me, or judge me..andI gently tell them, "Ok, then, I shall spend your inheritance on dance lessons. LOL.
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Wonderful
Dear Carol,
What a marvellous poem you have penned, and great resolutions to have. Good luck in the contest.
Joan
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I lived such a controlled and sheltered life...it is time to let go and let be....I really like the dance I am in now. thank you for you comments.
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Wonderful
This is one of the first truly good pieces of poetry I have read to date...It has substance and I love the comparisons you make..."If it be not normal, then let it be me..." Perfect...I would like to invite you to read one of my own pieces..a favorite of mine..."Who is this Child"...Yours I would like permission to print it out if I could...I will keep it on my wall of special things..to be enjoyed over and over...Thank you for it...Darlene
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Dear Carol,
If the wind is in the southwest,
may I join you in your tepee?
Join you in your festive wigwam?
I will bring some big bluff oysters
and some tasty puha cabbage
kina for the weak, faint-hearted
porkbones for the hangi umu
we will raise a cup together
toast the god of '007
wildly, freely dance together
celebrate with joy together.
Best of luck in the contest with your splendid poem.
I'm sorry I haven't been around much lkately because Edna's son, Paul, has been with us from London through Christmas and New Year so I haven't visited AP much since he arrived and opened the first can.
Love and hugs, XXX Hugh R.
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Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear sire....bring Edna along too!
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You're from Maine...how cool. I spend my summers in Maine...also my Spring, Winter and Autumn...I have a houseboat on the Kennebec...okay, it's really my smelt shack that I forgot to remove before last year's thaw...
Okay, the poem: I like the alliteration, it causes the poem to be facile, allusive and imaginative.
This line: comes from be willing to be bent to the brace (Did you mean "being willing?")
Hey, I'm different...Can't guys march to your alternative tune too? Wow, I'm Alliterative too! lol.
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LOL, there were quite a few smelt shacks left over last year. We watched one over a few days, settle in to be bottom shelter.
thank you for catching the copy and paste error.
Put yer lil foot, put yer lil foot, put yer lil foot, right dere.....and I shall dance with you!
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great
I love this -
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thank you J aime for your comment and congratulations.
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wow mama.. this is so pretty. you are one of the most talented writers here on ap. i feel horrible for not making as much time as i should to read everyone's poetry. but i am happy when i do. You and Little-hug (fav ap daughter) are what keep me here. keep me writing. this was a wonderful poem as most of yours are.
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My, look how grown-up you are huggums. I am so glad you have not forgotten where to rest your soul. The spoem speaks to young women like you as well, my ap daughter....come, dance with a few of us crones, and we will teach you the women's ways.
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Oh girlfriend I am going along for the wild ride for sure. I always go to the beat of a different drummer, but who's to say the drummer is different?? This was a great piece..It really is an inspiration to women who have yet to find themselves.
Soulful Woman
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and being found, we teach each other to dance....I know your dance well soulful woman, you... I have stepped beside you on the soul of soltices.
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Wow!
Enjoyed your interesting poem..especially the last stanza:
"Come women who have withstood the weather,
the wrestling and the wry wrinkles of another year;
be wild with me, be winsome, be ridiculous,
be willing to cast off the curious and dance
to a new moon, a new night, a new reason
to realize the dreams of being dear and different."
I'm all for that!
Good Luck in the Contest!
Maureen
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Yes, it is time to dance, darlings, dance.....
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