Wednesday, 24 October 2012

Swing


I hide the tea cup
In the wardrobe
The only place safe
In these rooms
Between which
I dangle neatly
Not on a cord
A spring
A coil
A rope
That does not come to rest
I string my prayer to the tree
It is tied with lilac ribbon
Soft and settled
It is a different place
He is softened like carved wood
Smooth
We can breathe
Open the wardrobe door
Alice skips and sings
Plays with pens
Colours
In
The powder rests neatly on my tongue
I let it stay there
No need to labour
It will dissolve when it is ready
When the picture is full
When the words are sent
When we let go of the rope
And swing.





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23 comments:

  1. Amrit Sinha24 October 2012 at 07:45

    I loved the way you used Swing in your poem !!!

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  2. Unknown24 October 2012 at 08:17

    The crescendo in this piece definitely builds and then settles, with resolve, in the last few lines. You word choice and construction add to the power of the poem, Jae. Reading it is like riding the high wave into the sandy shore.

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  3. Daydreamertoo24 October 2012 at 08:24

    I'm so glad to see that Alice has come out to play again.
    Life isn't easy, is it.
    Love the imagery in this Jae. It's sad but soft, almost resigned and yet, there is still a hint of defiant hope.
    So good to see you.

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  4. Sheilagh Lee24 October 2012 at 08:35

    it's hard to let go and swing but sometimes we need to play.

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  5. Jae Rose24 October 2012 at 08:42

    Thank you Green Speck..woosh!

    Thank you Kim..hopefully we will land on a soft beach..just like a red blanket..

    Defiance is the perfect word..sitting quietly at the bottom of the tea cup..thank you Daydreamer..

    Absolutely..thank you Sheilagh..swings are a great way to get moving..

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  6. Altonian24 October 2012 at 08:58

    There is a degree of frivolity in this (whether intended or not) that is so reassuring. I am picturing Alice, with her tongue out, carefully colouring in - persisting until the picture is finished.

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  7. Anonymous24 October 2012 at 09:56

    beautiful and playful. Lets hope the prayer you tied to the tree is heard. x

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  8. Berowne24 October 2012 at 11:37

    You always write such moving stuff...

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  9. Alice Audrey24 October 2012 at 12:50

    What a frightful dangle. Slip the noose!

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  10. Old Egg24 October 2012 at 15:11

    There is much joy with this reader to see you posting again. Alice (your alter ego?) is settled again and doing her own thing while you plan for the future. Your words are like magic for me.

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  11. Anonymous24 October 2012 at 18:32

    jaerose: i feel as if i'm experiencing someone on a tightrope
    attempting a delicate dance

    i string my prayer to a tree...soft and settled.

    it will disolve when it is ready
    when the picture is full

    yes, when the picture is full.

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  12. Mary24 October 2012 at 19:31

    Jae, there is no greater joy and no greater freedom than to swing. I wish you this joy when you are ready.

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  13. Ann (bunnygirl)24 October 2012 at 20:55

    There is something light and hopeful here, but a bit of worry still lingers. A rope can save or it can kill. I hope the prayer tied with lilac ribbon is answered favorably.

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  14. Jae Rose25 October 2012 at 03:09

    Thank you Altonian..that was indeed how she was..

    hoping hoping..thank you Dandelion Girl..

    Thanks Berowne..

    Thank you Alice..always good to step away from the noose ;)

    Thank you Old Egg..it was magic to post again..

    waiting patiently for that day..thank you so Paige..

    Thank you Mary..wishing that back to you too..

    Thank you Ann..astute as ever..i am not sure which applies..but the lilac ribbon is safe..

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  15. Anonymous25 October 2012 at 03:42

    quiet peaceful rhythmic"swing" to this.

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  16. Jae Rose25 October 2012 at 07:12

    Thank you unfettered..

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  17. J Cosmo Newbery26 October 2012 at 02:52

    And swing you will! I can't help wondering if the tea is still in the wardrobe.

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  18. rallentanda26 October 2012 at 17:45

    I like wardrobes.My Grandmother had a wonderful wardrobe with fox furs, corsets and things. I never thought about it until now. It was a world unto itself. You have inspired a poem from this.Thank you!

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  19. annell427 October 2012 at 06:43

    Jae there seems to be a certain acceptance here. Sometimes it is all we can do, but it can be a very good thing, for it can take much energy and needs to be valued. Good to take time to "play" even if it is imaginary play. Keep Alice close, she will take care of you. I love the lilac ribbon, soft and settled....

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  20. Jae Rose27 October 2012 at 11:18

    Tea..with added syrups..always..thank you J Cosmo..

    Thank you Rallentanda..maybe CS Lewis came first..shall step through the doors of your wardrobe..The Pevensie children perhaps did not dally in corsets..

    Thank you Annell..it was a much needed flash of softness..again i am drawn to your sweater..it is lilac..maybe you are always there in your studio..just like Alice colouring a world behind me..

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  21. VL Sheridan27 October 2012 at 17:03

    When we let go of the rope Jae, we also fly. Spread your wings friend.

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  22. Dee Martin27 October 2012 at 20:42

    there is a gentleness here. I hope you are being gentle with yourself.

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  23. Jae Rose28 October 2012 at 13:25

    Thank you VL.. Flying is a good alternate ending..

    Yes..gentle as can be..thank you Dee..

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