out in the sticks

. . . Out in the sticks, 

where silence stretches 

l o n g e r  than shadows, 

she dribbles… inaudibly. 

Her words are a mere 

whisper on the winds

an indistinct murmur 

carried off into the tall grass. 

She grins coquettishly

               . . . a smile that dances 

between mischief and madness, 

a half-truth etched onto her lips.

Her existence is 

      a delicate balance

    a tightrope walk between 

  reality and the edge of insanity. 

            . . .  Born half-alive

,she navigates a world 

that makes no room for apology. 

Her movements are fluid

her intentions obscured 

by a veil of ambiguity. 

Even the deaf sense 

that underhanded effrontery 

which lingers in her wake

a subtle mockery that needs 

no sound to be felt.

Her fangs, though sharp

remain hidden 

beneath a coat of syrup. 

She disarms with sweetness

a confection that masks

lurking predatory instincts.

In the stillness of the outback

her presence is a paradox-

a creature both feral and refined

whose whispers blend into the wind

whose smile hints at the untold chaos within.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

What a detailed study of a feminine personality, what a woman and her name is Stella right? Some wonderfully descriptive and poetic lines you have penned.

a smile that dances between mischief and madness

whose smile hints at the untold chaos within

her words are a mere whisper on the wind

This wonderful artistic write could describe at least three living women poets I know and a couple of dead ones, but equally it could be a muse. That’s where you transported me to. A great piece of creative writing Freds. Loved it.

Chris

[redd Brick Keshner]

Yes Chris, it isn’t just the one person in specific. What an astute interpretation. Most glad that you enjoyed time spent on this.
Freds.

[LisaCarol]

Oh my, such great imagery I felt with this poem. The woman in this poem has a spirit animal of a coyote or wolf. Simple, but complex. This was beautiful.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Thanks kindly 🙏🏻👍🏻🕊

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

first of all, i love the formatting. it is very clever and it emphasises the character of this work. l o n g e r....
and it si a work with great character. this persona, this she, which might not even be human, is mysterious and allruing. and having the backdrop of the outback (which i so miss) adds an even greater uncanny feeling to it all. it's superb. there is a lot here to take in, like a scene from a Tarkovsky film.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Yes!!! In my gut was that inkling that you’d get this. So glad you shared your journey and brought these truths together. This comment box is a junction, a portal, a point of that connection; somewhat like Dr. Who’s phone booth but more like a lounge, a green room, if you will between segments of our life experiences and appointments. And yes I love allowing words to look like what they are saying… l o n g e r . . . Etc. and it may personify something not human (without being inhuman, that is)… that nail is driven through quite beautifully 🙏🏻🕊👍🏻

[MCS]

A beautiful weaving of words telling a multi layered story filled with images. Well done!

[redd Brick Keshner]

Thanks kindly 🙏🏻 You are much appreciated 🕊

[Thomas W Case]

Powerful work.. Excellent writing.

[redd Brick Keshner]

Thanks friend, grateful to yah 🕊👍🏻