from a stark mask of tragedy
all pain proclaims passive, pours
from haunted eyes;
the solemn sadness of a battered baby
acceptance by a sacrificial victim
the last fine forgiveness of undying love
as it expires
the halted hands show
broken legs of a ballerina
sundered butterfly wings
the plummet of an eagle
from the heights
harshly composed
in black and white
the final frozen flash
before annihilation
.
Author notes
Photo credit => http://internet2.trincoll.edu/TrinExchange/AnnImages/e5438_1.jpeg
A contest entry
- PIF Contest - Picture Prompt #12 Semi-Quickie by marlene47.
900 points, ended July 4, 6 entries
Honorable winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
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I love the way you see things. fabulous poem!
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Yes, this is very Noh - I can almost hear the drum beating with the movements, the chanter's moaning telling and the harsh Japanese flute in a sustained piercing note.
These are very gripping moments you've revealed here - all tragic and haunting - the solemn sadness, the sacrificial acceptance, undying love's forgiveness... pain expressed through the eyes. The hands telling of broken bones, torn wings or the eagle's plunge.
All this outpouring captured the instant before "the final frozen flash" of utter destruction. Wow, a surprise there, moving from the dramatizing mask of tragedy (by the eagle's dive, perhaps) to a social commentary. And this is where that shakuhachi would be screaming.
Thank you for your stunning entry.
Marlene -
Very effective work! I like your interpretation of the image. The black and white photo adds to the stark imagery evoked by your words. Excellent!
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