She flicked the glowing ashes from
the edge of her cigarette and took
a long, slow drag, her eyes betraying
the inferno her voice tried to smother.
In the spirit of her mother before her,
and her grandmother before that, she
packed us up with the boxes, leaving
him with nothing but his dependence,
a lovely aluminum family, waiting
patiently for him to return.
She lost weight and gained wrinkles
and taught me that being a woman
should mean more than tears and
sex, dinner and children, a slim waist.
I watched through broken
windows all summer as she created
lightning storms and summoned
sunflowers and crushed cigarette
after cigarette under her strong heel.
Author notes
To my mother, the strongest woman I know, a modern Amazon. I don't know how she does it. Lord knows I don't help much.
The title is significant in that the chalice, which looks similar to a womb, is a ubiquitous representation of the female and the sacred feminine itself. In case anyone was wondering.
Quixotically Yours
A contest entry
- abc-- amazons by birch.
300 points, ended October 29, 2007, 3 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - no title by lee-sharp.
1500 points, ended January 15, 2008, 41 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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lovely.
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two months later, this poem is still pure perfection.
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Well Jamie, as a whole this was different for you. I liked the image you gave of your mother; fiercely independent and strong as any man. The third stanza stood out from the rest when comparing it to the title. The message in there is something I think every young woman should hear and remember. Too many women don't understand their importance. I like the little bit of pagan flair with the chalice too. Well done Jamie.
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holy fuck! you are good. this and the mechanic are at present 2 of like 10 poems on this site i consider whole. perhaps even flawless.
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Thank you very much, good sir. And since I hold you in such high regards myself, that comment was the cherry on the top of this ice cream sundae Saturday. So...thanks :-D
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you have a very great message here, and it is presented strongly. thank you for this entry.
dusty
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This is nicely written and full of strength and memories that are both bitterweet and soothing.
Thank you for entering and good luck in the contest.
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this is excellent...great metaphors and imagery here..."a lovely alumunum family"-that line put a grin on my face-very cool and original...you painted a strong vivid picture here-an excellent tribute...one of your best pieces!
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perfect.
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