I remember when you lied
about how you knew me
said we were old friends
from school
but we’d only just met
really
introduced by him
when he moved in
had nothing in common
except
I liked cars
and you had one
we hadn’t come
separately
but driven in
that was my lie
so now we’re even
Soundcloud link: https://soundcloud.com/clairevetica/lies
Photo by Christina Langford-Miller on Unsplash
put lips to old pain
feel it flutter and still
poison drawn, paused
these untidy
memories and broken bits of games
horror of untethered high-wires
and never good enough
lifetime’s untruths, dissembling
nervous-held handbag
run tongue over protrusions
puffed proud tissue
give it wine, buy clothes
in the body aches
pleasurepunish chafes
adorned, adored
addictions rise from secret spots
manacles like friends
again, again, again
strip away snailsmooth streaks
knife scars, sear words
seal it up
momentary grace
It’s been more than a month since my last post, argh! I’ve been working 100% and the time just slips by. It’s a rather doomy poem to return with. Inspired by an excellent podcast featuring Russell Brand and Gabor Mate on addiction and past trauma. Short version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQwP0XRBjq4 Long version (worth it!) here: https://www.russellbrand.com/podcast/053-dr-gabor-mate-damaged-leaders-rule-addicted-world/
Photo: Ivan Bandura on Unsplash https://unsplash.com/@unstable_affliction
Kabuki by Mick Rock https://www.mickrock.com/kabuki/
can you stain your face
white?
hide your lips behind
a dark rose?
can you wear
black hair
like a habit
even if you’re not a nun
(maybe adopt her severity)
can you paint your eyes
in liquid lines
and hide
or is the truth
never quite disguised
can you garb yourself
in widows weeds
or a uniform
from outer space
… a spider’s lace
what is hidden
what’s revealed
beauty is
a kabuki iceberg
so
many
secrets
concealed
Today’s GloPoWriMo prompt was to write a poem with a secret – in other words, a poem with a word or idea or line that it isn’t expressing directly. The poem should function as a sort of riddle… not sure I completely managed this. I think I took it a bit too literally. But in keeping with my goth theme so far, it seemed appropriate.
clairevetica 