Once a maiden of moulded clay,
now an angel of paper maché.
Young, yet old; both new and aged -
once dead I live again as an angel,
an angel made of paper maché.
But my wings are carefully
tucked away...for vigilance,
to be a witness was my calling -
it still is, but oh! so much more
quietly than before:
I chose to fight and intervene,
to fight the witches such as Elphaba -
Carmela, Gabriel John, and Longine -
she whoever had the broom.
Any as these that held it wielded it
with deadly, evil sway...
Though initially I knew nothing of that;
my eyes were those of a child,
until the day blood flowed in rivlets
down the corridors - still then, I knew
not what she would do with her broom,
whoever held it in her sway, not ultimately.
I knew not that these women would
become the watermarks upon my
religious life, my vocation, around which
my life revolved fighting evil with good.
Divinely purposed, and Providence my
guide, I held out until my vocation died...
But only for a time. For this once earthen
vessel has been reborn, remade in a more
fragile, weaker substance of paper maché:
an angel, a witness, and a vigilanté,
though I move more quietly than before;
I am weary and weak from the past.
Though rebuilt, and somewhat refreshed,
this angel of paper maché can never be
the same as the earthen vessel made of clay.
A witness, yes, and vigilant against the day
that others will appear to take Elphaba's place;
until then, this paper angel quietly waits.
Author notes
In rememberance of all the Elphaba's I knew (Wicked Witch of the West in the "Wizard of Oz") and those I have met and will come to meet. I was really inspired by Gregory Maguire's book "A Lion Among Men," for his portrayal of the maunts(nuns/religious/sisters) and their diatribes were so close in accurate portrayal of my experience as a Carmelite nun.
In a list
A contest entry
- Almost Anything by poets whisper.
550 points, ended November 11, 2008, 29 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - AP FAMILY! by Shades of Pale.
560 points, ended December 31, 2008, 10 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Morning in the Burned House by A60sMan.
1750 points, ended February 14, 13 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 20 of 20
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This spurs me even more to make time to read the new Maguire book - to hell with math!
This is a lovely piece; best of luck in contest; my vote's for you.
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I really like this, and can relate in some small way.
well done. -
thank you, now what is it you want to be?
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Hmmmm...
Whatever tickles your fancy. I'm 26, going 27. -
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intresting I see you as either a mother or a much older sister or sister-in-law.
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Well, I'm not married -
Not anymore in the sense that most people would understand. Being a nun was being a bride of Christ, and that I am no longer. I'm not sure sister-in-law would fit. I have no children of my own, unless you count my puppies, all 3, or my Godchildren, 4. -
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Older sissy?
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Dandy with me. Or cousin.
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A good write.
Only, it's 'rivulets ' not 'rivlets'. He he.
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As an ex- myself, I understand some of what your refer to as the witches who tried to kill your vocation, in perhaps a more personal way, but the poem does stand on its own, as a seeker finding her way, her true vocation, a beacon on the path. Well written, and I'm glad you posted on Winklings!
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Interesting write here
Very good take on this poem and kept me all the way through it very well done
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A very well written piece.
Thank you for your entry and good luck in the contest.
ED. -
wow this is a very good write. You use imagery wonderful in this. And I feel lots of emotion in it as well. thanks for sharing this with us and thanks for posting it to the readers list on Friends of trekkergirl. It a good read!
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Paper Mache' is much lighter than clay and more likely to fly/escape. Elphaba would have been right at home in the film, The Magdalene Sisters - a must see.
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This is AMAZING! I love this write...although I don't understand all the particulars, I don't feel like I need to. The imagery you've chosen, and the story you're telling compels the reader to keep going. Excellent job, and very poignant, and meaningfully told! Best in your contest! Thanks for sharing! love, faith
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tho your path is different, your struggles are similar except that you are able to give names to that which blocks and hinders. i wish you well on your path, and hope that it does not weaken you so much that you become defenseless against your adversaries. tho, i'm not a witch, i believe in the creed "do no harm." i pray no harm comes to you.
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A very fine piece indeed, a pleasure to read, my best wishes always.
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Thank you
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Writing is your new heroin now lass....
you are the Lilith that scuffs at the Adams and Eve's...
you have even a higher calling...
Yourself.
This was a break away piece to your past....enjoy it....it is one of your many chapters to come.
Good work!
Lowell -
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Yes,
reading and writing have been a great cartharsis for me...
But more of what I'm trying to write about is that though I thought my vocation dead, it wasn't...I've only come to grips with that today, the terms of which are overwhelminly positive and hopeful. I found my path; I know what I am to do and be. Not the nunnery for me, nor marriage (God wouldn't do that to any man, even if he deserved it, LOL!). Single and celibate, I'll go through life be open to helping others in need in anyway I can. My way, God's way, and the highway all at the same time...ironic, isn't it?
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