A Portrait in Contemplation
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| The Seamstress @catschappach Used With Permission |
I’ve attempted to make up my mind:
to settle on one ideal above
a dozen practicalities…
but each thought slides away
which was, even now, on the tip of my tongue.
I am the seamstress of my misfortune:
the designer of this bespoke
snakeskin suit…
my hands, the implements of chaos,
have woven an obtuse pattern of scales.
Even the Spring is unseasonable:
thorns are growing through
sharper than needles…
and self-healing is but another
way of unravelling my imprecise stitches.
A woman is ever conscious of her womb:
knows the possibilities birthed
by slippery carnality…
What constricts may not kill
but this sly smile hides my certain fangs.
Art FLASH! features the surreal art of Cat Scappach.
"I am the seamstress of my misfortune." What a brilliant line. Wow! The sly smile and the hidden fangs are perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sherry. I brainstormed several words and phrases while looking at the art and found some exciting combinations.
DeleteI like the title, Kerry, which already takes reveals the seamstress’s character and the opening stanza. I love the phrase ‘I am the seamstress of my misfortune’, it’s Shakespearean in tone, and the way you brought the snakes into the poem as a ‘bespoke snakeskin suit’ with ‘an obtuse pattern of scales’. I also like ‘self-healing is but another way of unravelling my imprecise stitches’ and the sly smile hiding her certain fangs.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim. I always choose my titles last, and try to encapsulate the intention of the poem in a few words.
DeleteWow, wow, wow!!❤️ There is such depth of imagery and emotion in this poem, Kerry! I love; "Even the Spring is unseasonable: thorns are growing through sharper than needles…" there is a hint of political unrest here as nature too is affected. I also admire "A woman is ever conscious of her womb: knows the possibilities birthed by slippery carnality," yes!! Exquisite as always!❤️
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you note a hint of political unrest, Sanaa. I did write this in the context of unrest in SA this week regarding the brutal rapes and murders of young women. There have been several protest marches, and calls for a more stable and safe society for the female population. I was channelling some of those thoughts into this piece.
DeleteMy what big teeth you have!
ReplyDeleteAll the better!
DeleteThe last three lines are powerful. Slippery carnality...that is a special image. The certain fangs hidden...wonderful. A snake does not reveal its fangs until it is about to bite.
ReplyDeleteAll the more reason to beware!
DeleteI can see your sly smile, "There I've said it and I'm proud of every word and frowns that came."
ReplyDelete..
Thank, Jim.
DeleteThis is excellent Kerry! “I am the seamstress of my misfortune”... I epecially like this line.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rob.
DeleteThanks to a pregnant conception (hats off to Ms. Scappach), so many verdant refractions like this ... For me the fulcrum of the poem is in the line "a woman is ever conscious of her womb:" Misfortune may come from without, yet it fate is misbegotten in the medusan swamp of the unmade mind. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this reading, B. I like the way you have encapsulated the theme.
DeleteI sure would like to start quoting lines, but I won’t.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant piece, Kerry.
I am glad you enjoyed the poem, friend.
DeleteYou paint a very self- aware, and strong personality. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much!
DeleteLove this..Love how you started it. I don't know if I've reached Medusa wicked, but my mind goes a thousand different directions these days which often leads to dark poetry. Your poem removes denial from the equation. :)
ReplyDeleteThis turned out to be an introspective poem.. I started at the top of the picture and moved down, and these were the images that spoke to me. I think we are living in the times of dark poetry.
ReplyDeleteI love every bit of this Kerry. I have read it three times, and each time, something new emerges for me. Brilliant writing, truly.
ReplyDeleteI love this.. the way you weave it from those misfortunes to the fangs in the end. There is such a tale where you have used the picture to the full extent.
ReplyDeleteI love that last stanza, Kerry!
ReplyDeleteSlippery carnality sound like playing with snakes too much; but whatever turns you on...and it is good to see you smiling regardless.
ReplyDeleteSeamstress of my misfortune! such a yummy phrase. You channeled the doom here which is something I didn't tap into enouth.
ReplyDeleteAs if the words commissioned the picture.
ReplyDeleteEven the Spring is unseasonable:
and self-healing is but another
way of unravelling my imprecise stitches.
So well crafted, each word having its place in that unstitching.
This is a really compelling portrait you've drawn. The subject is quite candid about their propensity for self-sabotage, even healing is seen as a disruption of their efforts. It makes me wonder what their end game is with all the stitching. Though the last two lines hint that their pain is managed by inflicting pain on others.
ReplyDelete