A man and a woman
Are one.
A man and a woman and a blackbird
Are one.
Wallace Stevens
I swallowed the key.
It hurt a little, stuck I think
on the way down
and now it sits
just beneath my breastbone
growing colder
than a cast iron padlock
frozen in place
on a dungeon door.
Love forged my chains.
I was willing to be fettered
by the heartstrings
to you who knew
so well my soul indivisible
between us
you held the key
which I now take back
and consume as my own.
And so begins NaPoWriMo 2019. In the first week, and perhaps for longer, I am drawing my inspiration from the poetry of Wallace Stevens, as I like to showcase my favourite poets in April, as well as writing my own pieces. Other sources of inspiration are The Imaginary Garden (which is hosting the Prompt-A-Day for the seventh consecutive year) and my own word list, derived from the sonnets of Shakespeare.
Day 1 ~ KEY
Marian is our host in The Imaginary Garden, singing April Come She Will.
"I was willing to be fettered by the heartstrings to you," ... this is so poignant!💖 A perfect poem to begin the month with, Kerry 😊 Gorgeously written.💖
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sanaa.. My main focus this month is to keep my poems short but powerful. I hope to retain the enthusiasm of day 1.
DeleteThat’s a great idea, Kerry, to draw on another poet’s work, especially Wallace Stevens. The use of ‘k’ alliteration in ‘It hurt a little, stuck I think’ sounds like a cough or a choke. I love the phrase ‘I was willing to be fettered by the heartstrings’ and the way the swallowing of the key opens and closes the poem.
ReplyDeleteYes, Kim. I have been inspired by so many poets over the years of my life, and I feel that April is a good time to pay homage to those who have influenced my poetic thinking the most, though of course, it would be impossible to include them all. This year, I have decided to focus on Stevens' words to guide me through Week One.
DeleteI am pleased that the sound qualities resonate with you. I do like to include a dab of alliteration or assonance, since I seldom use rhyme.
We can do anything for love and even if it means to be restrained forever in love's chains.
ReplyDeleteLove can be an enthrallment! The line of Marian's song choice, April Come She Will, which moves me the most is: 'A love once new has now grown old'. That was the starting point of my poem.
DeleteWe should never give up ourselves completely only to be hurt so much so we can never believe in ourselves anymore. Love and marriage are a partnership not serfdom. Beautifully written Kerry.
ReplyDeleteGood advice, Robin. Thanks.
DeleteI would express my affection for this poem but I got this key stuck in my throat. *cough*
ReplyDeleteBit of an obstruction of the epiglottis!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marian.
Your various sources of inspiration come together beautifully in this arresting piece. I look forward to seeing what else you'll give us this April!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rosemary.. I'm surrounding myself with plenty of backup plans to keep me going this April. It's going to be the toughest one yet!
DeleteI'd throw it at him instead, but then no poem. That notion of a frozen lock inside one's chest is striking, Kerry.
ReplyDeleteNo poem I'd write, anyway.
DeleteThanks, Shay.
ps--the Stevens is a perfect fit!
ReplyDeleteshort but powerful it is - the key a powerful motif - cold as steel and something that opens the way. Brilliant start to April Kerry
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura. Yes, the duality of the key, in that in opens and closes...
DeleteI love this... So often love causes one to wither.. no withering in this poem. What a powerful start to April’s month of poems. My poem was a weak sigh.
ReplyDeleteNot at all! I loved the sense of affirmation in your poem. As for me, I have to come out fighting.. it's going to be a challenging month.
DeleteThe swallowing of a key is a strong image with me,too. There are doors we open just once. It is great to be back and to feel part of a community again. Thanks for all the love and encouragement. ❤
ReplyDeleteThe image just popped into my mind when I was trying to visualize what to do with a key in a poem.. that's what I love about this month. Just enough pressure to squeeze out a few interesting ideas.
DeleteLove having you here, Kenia.
I love the being "fettered at the heartstrings". Wonderfully composed, Kerry. Off we fly into April.
ReplyDeletePowerful - reclaiming the key - but it seems the key is there to stay - no second chances at love!
ReplyDeleteI like that you are working at keeping your poetry brief and powerful. I too have been working at the same goal, getting back to my Japanese poetry roots. This poem is a striking way to start. I like the clicking, glottal "k" sounds. Like coughing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Toni. I am very happy to know the sounds made an impact in the poem.
DeleteOh that key, stuck on the way down, so glad you have reclaimed it! A beautiful poem for the first day of April!!
ReplyDeleteswallowing a key, as if it held/holds the promise of love, of seeing into the darkness, of the soul's truths and wishes, desires, to consume it, perhaps in the greedy gobble to reclaim (it's the Blackbirds winging about in my mind) is a rich and evocative story -
ReplyDeletefascinating poem Kerry - I love the imagery you've drawn :)
Thank you, Pat. I love the connection you found to the blackbird!
Deleteamen
ReplyDeleteSo it goes ~
DeleteHow many biblical realms -- eternal and infernal -- are invested in that key. The taste of it going down and where it lodged are so prescient of the long night without ...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brendan. I did want to convey something of the cold metallic flavour.
DeleteSwallowing the key...well, that's a new metaphor, anyway.
ReplyDelete