Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching
as religious police on the prowl are
enforcing, that red is a shade of shame.
Yet, the blush of a heart, endorsing that love
wears a feeling that blame - will never crush!
and so she must hurry ~ to please him …
Swathed ‘neath a cause, within her dark burqua,
ideally designed for these “desert storms”
she scours each shop,
Her darting eyes scan the sparsely stocked shelves,
searching for that one special token.
A reminder of her unspoken affection ~
to please him …
While grains of sand drip their rhythm in time,
covertly she flirts with ancient laws of her land.
Her heart’s command ~ pumps a rich-red beat,
in her subtle way it’s defeat she’ll elude,
the challenge speaks loud of her past
with a present desire ~ to please him …
The landscape is harsh as she makes her way
through reality’s mountains of dunes,
Blinded from birth to the uneven odds
this farce takes doom for a whirl;
Her world, in a way, that’s a little mixed up,
yet with that dervish she dances
and steadfast she remains ~ to please him …
The old shop woman knows well
of thoughts, that must stay veiled.
Taking her hand, they slide behind a musty drape.
A black market of red, where trinkets are cached,
safely stashed from prying eyes.
This place that breathes new life for love
a treasure trove, silently undressed
lies there bare, to be bought ~
to please him …
As she silently slips back into the streets
her smiling, dark eyes will never be read
by this force, that puts chains on passion.
Her saved ration of money now concluded
well-spent. Never mind the risk, it’s a small
price to pay, nor will there be dread in her
joyful thoughts as she anticipates her red,
Valentine gift ~
pleasing him ...
© 2008 Joy A. Burki-Watson
Author notes
There are ladies that live in countries where it is against religious laws to celebrate love and all that it represents. My poem is a description of those sad times and how a determined woman will take all risks to buy that Valentine for him! Enjoy
A contest entry
- *I AM SICK OF LIMITED WRITING* FORTY LINES OR MORE!!!* by Tweedle Dee.
1330 points, ended January 15, 15 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please take time to share your comments ...
Comments
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on the twelfth day of jihad
my true love bought for me:
---
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12 martyrs marching
11 shooters shooting
10 mortars mincing
9 missiles missing
8 sergeants charging
7 pistols plinking
6 sappers sapping
FIVE W.M.D.s
4 falling bombs
3 big guns
2 booby traps
and explosives for a Humvee
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Beyond the beauty of this piece,
beyond the deperation she feels,
beyond the heart-pounding purchase,
beyond the beauty of the love that drives her
lies the message of counting blessngs
for the privileges we enjoy.
joy, this is quite wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
M-C
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She is sick of limited writing...so am I but in a different sense.
Now wait! Three cats I can name...but seven or eight?
Ok, One of them is Moxie...another Emily (yes, for that Emily) another we'll call Joy (yes, that Joy) We'll see about the rest.
Oh, yes, the poem:
Beyond the literal...it shows the trials people go through to live as they wish beneath a culture that forbids such freedoms. It happens in the middle east, and it happens here, just different codes to hide from...true ours is more lenient in general, but not to those who suffer the specific consequences.
The sentiment is lovely, what self-respecting guy wouldn't be in love with a woman like that...but you really must write the sequel...the story of what happens when she presents him with the gift and he reports her and she gets put to death which gives him the opportunity to find a younger wife, one more obedient to his misogynistic needs. Ok, maybe that is a 'me" kind of story.
Your facility with words and pattern, with expression, passion and optimism. That is why I read you...I'm sure there are more reasons.
Hiccup...one cat should be called Hiccup...admit it...that is cute!
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Great job!! Wow, I absolutely loved this. And after reading the author's notes, it was so much easier, and I caught on!
It's sad that some women can't express their love... especially if it's illegal in their religion. But my thought on that is if you don't like it, change it.
Peace to you and your loved ones,
And GOOD LUCK in the contest!
always,
Dee.
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