When I was a kid
you regularly told us we all
must have been kidnapped
from noble houses because
in your opinion
we all acted like a bunch of
princesses.
So, who kidnapped whom, do you think?
That particular effort to guilt
us into cooperation was doomed to
failure - it seems we all did think we
were princesses and went on to
marry our (frog) princes and
live in palaces of dreams and hopes.
Now the only noble houses we reside in
are our own humble abodes,
grounded in reality not clouds
each knowing our home is our castle
our only nobility the fortress of the mind
defending us from the dungeons of pain and shame
of childhood religion codependency.
You are now barricaded safely in the fortress of
death while your groom, your prince circles the moat,
mourning the drawbridge not let down
for him, not knowing what we already know -
we are not allowed in and that you turned out
in your opinion
to be the princess kidnapped from your Father
by a mortal, common family.
(Written and posted for the Poetry Potluck 5-15-11
theme of "Fortresses, Castles, Palaces and Royal Houses."
Also posted for Thursday Poet's Rally.)
That's an interesting one!I like the image of 'a fortress of death'. Well done.
ReplyDeletehttp://jessicasjapes.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/dark-eyes/
I enjoyed it.Intense words.My potluck: http://verseinanutshell.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/protect/
ReplyDeleteThis is a haunting piece. Nicely crafted.
ReplyDeleteThe intricacies of family...Profound and remarkable write from the title to the content :)
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent take on the subject. I anticipate that it must have been cathartic to write. It is filled rather well with the human foibles of "family."
ReplyDeleteFamily...can't live with them or without them.
ReplyDeleteA lovely write.
I thought I comment on how fantastic this is/was already. Dejuvoooooooo, maybe.
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, top notch!
Henry Clemmons
cool one,
ReplyDeleteeveryone has a take on homes and life.
powerful delivery of yours.
Thanks for sharing it with potluck and poets rally.
Intersting poem...
ReplyDeleteLoved the way you described..
"....princesses and went on to
marry our (frog) princes and
live in palaces of dreams and hopes".
"You are now barricaded safely in the fortress of
death while your groom, your prince circles the moat"...
This is intense. It's beautiful, though I can sense the anger. The last lines are especially intriguing.
ReplyDeleteLovely, from start till the end.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Excellent poem :)
ReplyDeleteFamily...you can't live with 'em, and you can't kill 'em. Many configurations and types, but all necessary for survival. What doesn't kill you does make you stronger. Well written.
ReplyDeleteOnce a princess, always a princess... Enjoyed!
ReplyDeleteThis is a haunting and beautiful poem
ReplyDeletewow I read bitterness and lack of forgiveness and understanding, resentment...so many emotions!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rally!
http://lynnaima.wordpress.com/2011/05/20/the-spirit-of-the-sand-boa/
I quite agree with Walt's comment here, and I thought you brought out the feeling very well :)
ReplyDeleteYour express very well the complexities of family and religious dynamics. Well done!
ReplyDeleteQuilt into cooperation... A tool I am familiar with being raised by a loving single mom... lol
ReplyDeleteI love the glimpse you've given into the dynamic of family. Wonderful =)
ReplyDeleteSlick and cool write - the images your words crafted really rang with familiarity for me!
ReplyDeleteyou did a lovely job expressing the complex relationships, and the fortress image is perfect. very well done
ReplyDeleteGood work. Very complex. Well written. I wish I didn't understand it. *sigh*
ReplyDelete