Nana

Nana

Your photograph,

encased in a cold framed casket of silver plate,

sealed my fate.

Standing obliquely upon the antique oak side-table,

staring disapprovingly at me,

you point an old lady's thin boned finger,

Hansel and Gretel style,

from the lair of your grave,

at me, the 'evil' child.

Your nasty, craggy frown, and black eyed stare

has shone upon my soul for all of my adult life

like an interrogatory lamp.

Exposing me to naked and cold self deprecatory thoughts

that have frozen out any idea I might have

of escaping from this Catholic of guilt.

 

15/02/16

Reviews

[Willard Wells]

Imagery is excellent. Lots of pain in this piece. It seems to be more than a thought and vision. Maybe some reality within your words?

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed it is reality Willard. As KLG said it is deeply embedded in the psyche. Many thank yous.

[andrew mitchell]

you paint those portraits too well with words john. scary imagery!!!

[Lyn Anderson]

This is actually quite brilliant. Sometimes, a photo, an old letter, will trigger that guilt. It's pretty deeply embedded in the psyche.

[Einstein Noodle]

"....Catholic of guilt" ...powerful line ..especially for Catholics ..who all certainly know what you are talking about ... my love in this life had such an experience from most of her family except for her Nana ..who was her saving grace ... the abuse is devastating .. nice job sir! ... the title drew me and your poem brought scenes and feelings of empathy for the protagonist ... begs me to smash that frame and throw out the pic ..burn those memories for good :(
E.