With silent words her manner speaks
of things no child should understand.
Life’s pattern marks her like a brand.
Tears cannot wash her sanguine cheeks.
It’s not forgiveness that she seeks,
nor understanding of her act.
She has embraced a devil’s pact.
Tears cannot wash her sanguine cheeks.
Abused for years and months and weeks
she prayed for help with tearful voice
and found her answer in a choice.
Tears cannot wash her sanguine cheeks.
Red arcane patterns, penned in streaks,
bespeak the burden that she bore.
She found rescue in a drawer.
Tears cannot wash her sanguine cheeks.
In solitude, the quiet shrieks
in ways that only she can hear,
echoes of a vanquished fear.
Tears cannot wash her sanguine cheeks.
Author notes
discomfit – (archaic meaning) to defeat utterly; rout
Prompt: Picture
Picture Credit: abear at www.flickr.com
Rhyme; no line limit
Form: Kyrielle form is very flexible, in that there are only three basic rules: (1) written in rhyming quatrains (4-line stanzas), (2) the last line of each stanza is repeated throughout the entire poem, and (3) each line has only 8 syllables.
Critical Comments Always Welcome
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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the darkness in this poem is not only deep but very powerful. years of painful abuse can change a person so much, even a child.. whatever she found in that drawer forever changed things. ..I'm assuming she took matters into her own hands.. the form that you used in this piece, I like it. the repetition of the line
"Tears cannot wash her sanguine cheeks." is quite powerful and emphasizes a lot..
Brilliant take on the prompt
good luck
kat
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The ending of each line makes this a powerfull poem, and such twisted darkness
Best of luck in the contest
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I love this form and you've mastered it with aplomb. That repeated line is beautiful. A perfect use poem to match the picture.
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the picture is really at deviantart but I don't remember the artist. I uploaded it to flickr (I used to be abear) I like this form a lot. thank you for the entry
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Interesting write. Gotta say that I did like the picture. Reminded me of abuse. I wonder though what did she find in that drawer? A gun? Knife? Pills? A phone book? A bible? Hummmm?
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it wasn't forgiveness ...
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Yes, what did she find? I left it up to your imagination - so much more effective and it brings your input into the write... it becomes "our" poem and makes it more personal... Just a thought
Thank you for the read and comment...
Ken
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Very heart breaking but, a great story you have
written here. I don't think that I have ever seen
this form before and I love your thoughts here.
Good luck to you with it and thanks for sharing it!
Jeremy0826 -
Tragic and heartbreaking tale done in style. Your poetry never ceases to amaze.
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You're too kind (but don't stop ) Thank you for reading... thank you for commenting...
Ken
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Well written. Speaks volumes, thank you for sharing!
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Thank you for the kind comment... it's always appreciated
Ken
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