Wednesday, 17 June 2015

Calamity
















I cut up dressings on the bathroom floor
Pointless really
We are already dead

Butterfly dust and calamity
Locked behind the door

Maybe we should cut up dollies 
Make them pretty dresses

I can see fairies she squeals 

Let’s cut up flower heads
I’m hungry
You’re always hungry Alice
Well, you don’t fill me up
Isn’t that the other way round
She sighs

This is all so very dull
Jump drink swallow 
Jump drink swallow
See
Simple silly

Constance is under pressure 
I miss Constance 
Tobias 
The goodness of god

Citrus angel and
Generator men
There are worse places to be
And better 

Down stream is where the rubbish collects 
I don't care if the flies come in
Or the spiders get stuck in the drain
Wake me up to get me high
Marshmallow stuck to our nose
Polish the bed
Tidy the stairs

Sand
Language
Sound

What does it mean anyway

I step over the 
Chalkline
Outline
Bodyline
Holding onto rabbit
Like a child
But not
Looking for a grown up 
To take away the gun

Time trips
Even when there’s milk in the fridge

Do me a favour
Don't shoot out the window ok
It’s a game of love
The security shot

Leave it to me
We're checking out

He picks me up and shoots down the door
That’s the way it is
When you love a child

You take out the threat
Don’t become it

But It isn’t real she whispers
Shut up Alice 

I can see fairies she squeals 

I believe in her
Is what she needs to hear

I cut up dressings on the bathroom floor
Pointless really
We are already dead

Butterfly dust and calamity 
Locked behind the door.







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56 comments:

  1. Sanaa Rizvi17 June 2015 at 03:04

    I can see fairies she squeals
    I believe in her
    Is what she needs to hear

    When we are children.. we are pretty much fearless.. we believe in the impossible.. and strive in danger... but as we grow old.. the situation is reversed... because then we have children.. and it becomes apparent what fear or danger really is.. to protect and nurture them.. against all calamity.. becomes our sole purpose.

    Beautifully penned :D

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    1. Jae Rose17 June 2015 at 05:02

      Thank you Sanaa...unfortunately some of us get old but don't lose that fearlessness...it never tends to work out well - as Alice knows all too well! But absolutely that is how life should be for all children...thank you kindly :)

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  2. Vinay Leo R.17 June 2015 at 03:23

    Haunting. I don't quite know if I got what the poem means to say, but that's the feel the words and the tone of the poem (or how I read it) evoked.

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    1. Jae Rose17 June 2015 at 05:03

      Thank you Vinay - I'm not sure what it means either..sometimes understanding comes from feelings I guess not comprehension - for which I appreciate yours

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  3. Old Egg17 June 2015 at 04:46

    Sadly not all childhoods are pleasant and there is an underlying tension in this poem with some frightening references that are unexplained. So the narrator fantasizes along with Alice to cover up the past and close the door. No matter how much we close doors bits of past still stick with us regardless of the butterfly dust and marshmallows. Very impressive dark poetry today Jae.

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    1. Jae Rose17 June 2015 at 05:06

      Thank you kindly Old Egg.. darkness has the canny knack of finding its way in however hard you try to keep it out - apparently that applies to writing too! thank you..

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  4. Susan17 June 2015 at 05:02

    Speechless.
    I would see the outline and gun and death forever.
    This narrator had to grow up way too fast.
    Thank God for Alice who can still see fairies.
    The security chain lock unlocked is the perfect image.
    "Calamity" is the perfect title.
    Was Constance Tobias, the judge, involved?
    You have me talking to myself:
    "This is a POEM, Susan, enjoy it and then go away."
    Ok. Father. Calamity. I believe in you.
    Bravo!

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    1. Jae Rose17 June 2015 at 05:28

      Thank you Susan - for the comment and more...and talking to yourself is normal around here - no better person to hammer things out with! ;)

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  5. Magical Mystical Teacher17 June 2015 at 05:35

    What does it mean anyway

    I find myself asking that question frequently these days, so I suppose that I have a lot in common with Alice and her sidekick, don't I? ;)

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    1. Jae Rose17 June 2015 at 05:49

      Once you ask that question it's like unravelling a woollen jumper thread by thread..i think we must share many thoughts..but hopefully the cheerier ones..thank you Magical :)

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  6. Sumana Roy17 June 2015 at 07:41

    "What does it mean anyway"...everything need not have a meaning though life will go on with or without meaning....there will be shootings, dumping of rubbish, deaths and in the midst of all these someone would still see fairies...
    I am able to comment here because I follow your blog Jae...I am very much frustrated as I can't read others' poems except those whom I follow..ugh...

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    1. Jae Rose17 June 2015 at 07:48

      Thank you kindly Sumana - do you have google plus - sometimes blogs only allow comments through that? I am glad there are fairies

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  7. Sheilagh Lee17 June 2015 at 08:44

    When you love a child

    You take out the threat
    Don’t become it

    Sometimes its hard to be an adult. We need to retain a little of that innocence even when real life taints and haunts us. the fairies can give that to you.

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 04:30

      It is hard to be an adult...but hopefully with it comes some 'power' that we don't have when we're a child..and yes fairies are always good! Thank you kindly Sheilagh

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  8. Sherry Blue Sky17 June 2015 at 08:44

    Oh Jae, this poem really hits the heart. Cutting up dressings......the butterfly dust is rather magical, in the middle of the sad situation. What most stands out - the child needing to hear "I believe in you". Needing an adult to take away the gun. Keep writing, kiddo.

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 04:31

      Will always try to keep writing..if nothing else..it's the butterfly on a bad day...thank you very much Sherry xo

      Delete
  9. Hannah17 June 2015 at 09:07

    I was so happy to see you bring back your second stanza as a closing...so powerful...causes me to think of the fragility and transformative powers of the butterfly. Excellent work, Jae!

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 04:33

      Butterflies are magnificent creatures...what they achieve in a day is like a microcosm of potentiality..thank you kindly Hannah

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  10. CookieCrumbsInc.17 June 2015 at 10:32

    I love your poems. I doubt if I understand them the way you mean it, but from start to finish, I find lines I fall in love with.

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 04:34

      Thank you very much Cookie - I doubt I know what they mean either...or understand...i appreciate you finding lines to like!

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  11. Anonymous17 June 2015 at 10:45

    This shows how a child has to deal with situations too much for them. It is a bit unreal, a confusion, a paradox and a prayer. Very nice work.

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 04:34

      Thank you Debi - a paradox and a prayer is a perfect way of putting it..thank you

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  12. alan170417 June 2015 at 10:58

    very haunting and such spine tingling emotion, this is powerfully written

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 04:35

      Thanks very much Alan (love the Owl avatar also)

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  13. annell417 June 2015 at 11:11

    I love that you are adding images to your words, it's fun! I used to do it all the time, but I guess I've gotten lazy, just doing good to gather some letters, form words..... And your words speak to me, beyond words...wonderful poem! When my Son was sick and dying, I could see butterflies lifting from his fingers now they are dust mixed with tears.xoxoxoxohugs

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 04:36

      Thank you too for your wonderful comment Annell..i believe those butterflies take us to a safe place... always xo

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  14. Ann (bunnygirl)17 June 2015 at 12:58

    Yes, there is someone who failed to pick up each of us and keep us safe. We can let this make us bitter or we can become powerful protectors in our own right. Keep caring for Alice and Rabbit. All will be well.

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 04:37

      Thank you Ann - especially for the 'all will be well' - sometimes that's all we need to hear too..thank you

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  15. claireylove17 June 2015 at 13:12

    Yes, butterfly dust stuck with me too. It's almost all that is left once my cats have hunted done the beautiful, doomed creatures.

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 04:38

      Thank you Claire..I love cats but I guess you can't stop them chewing up the butterflies ;)

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  16. Audrey Howitt aka Divalounger17 June 2015 at 15:33

    There is magic here--and power--and hope I think--I too was glad to see the second stanza come back--really leaves me with no words--

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 04:39

      Thank you very much Audrey - magic-power-hope..all very good words..

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  17. Alice Audrey17 June 2015 at 17:21

    Eh, what's a few cut flowers when there is powder to have. All right, so it's only butterfly dust. We'll worry about the dressings on the floor later.

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 04:40

      I like your approach (other) Alice...all things will be done..when good and ready ;)

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  18. Unknown17 June 2015 at 22:11

    What an intresting story penned in poetry...truly gifted you are. I enjoyed reading it several times...being the person asking what it all means, then wanting to protect the child from threat and fear. I like reading something that makes me think and stirs my muse a bit too:)

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 04:41

      Thank you for your lovely comment Cheryl-Lynn...much appreciated

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  19. Roslyn Ross18 June 2015 at 00:31

    A clever weaving.... nicely done.

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  20. rallentanda18 June 2015 at 01:38

    For one moment there I thought you wrote that the spiders that got stuck in the drain woke you up to get you high....LOL....Sorry Jae I see surreal humour in everything....

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 04:42

      Whose to say they didn't..it's a tipsy-turvy world after all thank you Rallentanda ;)

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  21. Peter Coddle18 June 2015 at 04:16

    My head hurts. Will butterfly dust help? I guess not. You have woven something wonderful but what?

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 04:44

      But what indeed? That makes my head hurt too thank you Peter...however i can assure butterfly dust doesn't help...maybe a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake ;)

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  22. Gen Giggles 18 June 2015 at 05:31

    Yes playing and protecting are the goals. Great poem.

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 05:53

      Thank you GL...i think your poem illustrates this too..

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  23. Eileen T O'Neill .....18 June 2015 at 06:23

    Jae Rose,

    The unchained door and the ongoing drama which leaves the traces outlined quite clearly..A disturbing tale today, within a certain calamity..While, seeking reassurance in clinging to rabbit, a constant comfort..
    Eileen

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 06:32

      Thank you for your insight Eileen - greatly appreciated

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  24. Tina Basu18 June 2015 at 08:19

    Loved the Poem Jae

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  25. Panchali18 June 2015 at 09:04

    Gosh! I could hear the haunting cries....heart wrenching, to say the least!! Talking about the effects of child abuse is sad,... but it's something one needs to do in order to heal.
    This was a beautiful depiction, Jae!! Thanks...

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    1. Jae Rose18 June 2015 at 09:42

      Thank you too Panchali for your understanding

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  26. Keith's Ramblings18 June 2015 at 14:10

    A gem - the more I read it the more I found. Alice was intriguing as ever. Brilliant.

    Visit Keith's Ramblings!

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    1. Jae Rose19 June 2015 at 01:50

      Thank you very much Keith - we like gems..particularly iced gems which go rather nicely with a cup of tea (now that shows how very old I am!)

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  27. Rosemary Nissen-Wade18 June 2015 at 17:27

    Amazing, enthralling, deeply moving.

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  28. humbird22 June 2015 at 09:30

    'I believe in her
    Is what she needs to hear' ~ don't we all need to hear it?....and started again to trust holding eyes on butterflies and dust our desires to come true....Love :)x

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    1. Jae Rose24 June 2015 at 03:19

      Yes we do...thank you humbird..love and good wishes back :)

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