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Deceptions

The Moon is a trickster,

shrouding herself in mystery

wrapped in the secrecy of clouds.

 

At times she appears to be

more a reflection of herself,

dancing on water

not suspended in the sky.

 

Tonight she is a tease

and dangles achingly low.

A cow forgets her gravity

and jumps over the Moon.

 

Suddenly the world is inverted

the sky is the sea, the air is water

and you're drowning.

 

The dish is your lifeboat,

the spoon is your oar

and you paddle against the current

of a universe turned over

 

as stars swim by like trout

shining in the river

and crayfish glisten on the rocks.

Author notes

Well this was really inspired by a large number of Anne's poems. Specifically, I supose, the many poems she wrote about the classic fairy tales (such as "Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty)", "Cinderella", "Rapunzel", "Red Riding Hood", and "Rumplestiltskin"). Anne seemed to love to take the familiar and comfortable, then twist it into something very ugly and uncomfortable. For instance, in "Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty)", we find out that the father is a sexual predator at the end:

"It's not the prince at all,
but my father
drunkeningly bends over my bed,
circling the abyss like a shark,
my father thick upon me
like some sleeping jellyfish."

Kind of puts a damper on the ol' "Sleeping Beauty" fairy-tale, huh? I'll never look at fairy tales the same, thanks to Ms. Sexton.

Read "Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty)" and other Anne Sexton poems at Oldpoetry: http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/11827-Anne-Sexton-Briar-Rose--Sleeping-Beauty-

In a way, this poem also symbolizes our current economic/political situation in the United States (and worldwide, as well). Everything seems to be a bit.... upside-down and dizzying. It's hard to tell which way is up and what is right, these days. A lot of people are drowning in what they thought was the safety of the sky, that's for sure.

A contest entry

Please tell me what you really think. Criticism welcomed.

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Comments

1 - 19 of 19

  • Mr. Kodak
    November 4

    Edit | Reply

    Passion

    the poem itself made my body quiver and i absolutely loved your wording of this poem in general, you brought the imagery to life within your writing and thats the best thing a writer can do....nice job


  • CaffineAddict90
    October 12

    Edit | Reply
    i really liked this poem. The imagery was great. I'm a person that likes to visualize and I enjoyed doing so with this poem. I don't know if this was what you intended to say, but this is what I understood of the poem: It's like women empowerment. She's a mystery waiting to be discovered. Having the power to turn the world on its head. Once again, I absolutley LOVED IT!!!


  • Amera gold member
    September 29

    Edit | Reply
    I really enjoyed reading this Sis! You have painted images in my mind and brought them alive. I really like that you refer to the moon as a woman; so many poems make her a man.

    Love.
    Amera


  • JinSays gold member
    September 27

    Edit | Reply
    sigh.
    okay, I will refrain from going off the deep end here, and just say yes-I loved this. the moon dangling achingly low, you seemed to capture her way of slipping innuendo, however unpurposeful, I've always loved that about her writing. Thank you my little east coast redheaded stepcousin...Im just sure we're related, somehow.

    love,
    jin


    • Auburn Sunrise gold member
      September 28
      Edit | Reply
      so does that mean you do or don't like it? lol
      sorry if I disappointed with this one... you know... my muse is a masochist


      • JinSays gold member
        September 28
        Edit | Reply
        hush.
        If you'd disappointed me I would have said so. I promise.
        at least you have a muse, mine skipped town, Im sure of it.
        Im sick, and having a hard time staring at the monitor, the cold is in my eyes...ugh.


  • Manda Kathryn Greeters member
    September 24

    Edit | Reply
    sigh. I'm secretly jealous of your talent btw
    this is fantastic, I read it twice before reading the ANs and then I went back and read the poem again for maximum absorbtion[sp?] - from beginning to end you spin an almost common tale but in such a fashion it is fresh, original and striking!

    best of luck
    ♥



  • Night Hope gold member
    September 24

    Edit | Reply

    "The moon is a trickster", indeed...and how many spells she has cast upon so many of us artistic souls along the way. I think Jin will be pleased and that Anne herself is smiling upon you for this lofty, worthy tribute to her influences. Well done, Poet. Good luck in the contest.




  • MJ Donnelly gold member
    September 24
    Edit | Reply
    Trippy.


    • Auburn Sunrise gold member
      September 28
      Edit | Reply
      lol... yeah it almost seems like I was high on cough syrup when I wrote this - it reminds me of how I write when I'm tripping on cold medicine


  • The Drifter
    September 24

    Edit | Reply
    A fancifule poem of many images whirling around in my mind created by your beautiful poem. Well written and a pleasure to read. I find this poem thought provoking in the frame work of "What if".This poem deserves several reads to get its full value. Thank you for sharing.


  • Poetic-Theorem silver member
    September 23

    Edit | Reply
    This is brilliant dear
    The imagery and imagination in this piece is awesome
    You have woven your thoughts and words
    creating a poetic marvel

    I shall not look at the moon in the same way
    the cow jumping over the moon
    causing total chaos and calamity throughout the world

    Your piece can also be interpreted in many different ways
    (Metaphorically Speaking)...
    One major event in our lives may change
    other unforseen events resulting in much devastation

    With our world at war and so much evil and hatred that exists;
    massive fatalities may occur, a big bang theory,
    black hole, nothing pretty, could indeed change
    not only our lives but the planet as well

    Ok, I babbled enough now
    Your write sparked many thoughts
    I hope this comment makes sense

    Wish you the best in the contest
    Much love my friend

    David


  • Pure Thought silver member
    September 23

    Edit | Reply
    A pen well written. I like this alot. HAven't read Anne, but this is good work.


  • SpydurPoet gold member
    September 23

    Edit | Reply
    Oooh. Oh. That was beautiful and brilliant. You have done a stunning job with this, sis. I loved it. Imagery was just.....stunning.
    Best of luck in the contest.
    Write on.
    ~*~SP~*~

1 - 19 of 19