JACK-O-LANTERN.

we were once

beautiful in numbers,

growing radiant and numb.

swollen, happy, full.

lonely together in green groves,

islands in an autumn sea.

hands laced, eyes locked.

mafia mind in jealous surroundings.

and we tore,

and we bled

and we held on anyway.

fists shoved in open bodies,

pulling and twisting

every fear 

we ever confided.

splat!

bare over newspaper

like nothing's new at all.

and it would come

we'd lobotomize ourselves ;

too open minded 

to withhold any weight of meaning.

eyes open to candlelit truth

in empty vessels 

on abandoned porches.

hollow mouths with nothing to say.

we loved so hard

and fought so well,

but everything rots

and so shall we.

Author's Note

Keeping myself healthy minded by processing everything the only way I know how: poetry.

Reviews

[emmajoygreen]

As I interpret your words: this is a near fierce post as if wanting to alert, awake, scare readers to realise what truth/birth/being is. Could be the battle tween logic and emotion, both needed to prepare the mind and its surrounding emotion to accept Life's darkness - as well as light. Plus, in living, thoughts alter, sense fades often into nil by mouth or hearing. therebye our growth can be stunted, our hope is reduced. Yours is a powerful piece of writing, 'erudite' on screen, thoughts and feelings relaxed into an identity that has a real life rather than 'just is'.

[Emunah June.]

Thank you so much for the review!

I love poetry so much, because it can be interpreted in about a thousand different ways, and mean something different to so many people. I love your interpretation! It definitely gives it a more gothic feel than I meant for it to have, but I am certainly not upset about it.

At the risk of spoiling it, the poem is about (as I intended) relating the relationship with my family of what it used to be versus what it is now -- full, together, full of life, slowly hollowed and rotted away until it became a meme pantomime of what it was meant to be.

I have to say though, I kinda like your interpretation better! Maybe I'll have to write something with that prompt in the future...

[emmajoygreen]

Exchange is no robbery as I realise what have been told, you are very fine writer.. and more.

[Emunah June.]

I hold that praise close to my heart so sincerely.

[Carrie]

Pretty brutal for the pumpkin. Pretty brutal for carver. Everything ends and there no control how or when.

[carl]

a very strong analogy ? ( I am supposing ) - very powerful work - vibrant images almost horrific - enjoyed the read but left me feeling nervous or fearful - well done - carl

[Relic]

Your poetry is so worth reading, Emunah. Your diction is skillful and fun to read. Excellent piece.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

This is amazing. I can't help when reading this to think of Anne Sexton. I did my Master's thesis on her and Plath. I love her poetry...there is something so different about it, not the ordinary confessional style, but extraordinary.
I find your poetry breathes...
j.

[Mysilentembrace]

The power of this verse, I stopped and pondered through this and had goosebumps reading it.

and it would come
we'd lobotomize ourselves ;
too open minded
to withhold any weight of meaning.

How true this rings in so many places of our world presently but even within so many peoples relationships with one another. As technology advances we are losing the art of community and connection. As we become more burdened with things to do and distracted to avoid the pain we will continue to numb ourselves and lose our society along with it.

[DIVYA]

This is such a profoundly sad poem. I'm relating to it deeply and wondering why do relationships that were once so beautiful turn so consummately ugly? Those words are gut wrenching and make me want to say something of adequate comfort yet I find no words of sufficient meaning. Suffcie to say, I've been through the despair and I can say this with conviction: This too shall pass. The fights, the hurt, the wounds - They cannot shake your core.

[FlatDaddy]

Damn, girl, I've never seen you show such darkness, and I know from where it comes and understand; I wasn't sure at first and cheated by dropping down to read your first review -- and your response. Hang on, Em, and know that you have friends, many here and more, I would think, that are within your physical reach. Don't be afraid to lean on us when you need it -- and to share your joys when they elicit smiles. But this is beautifully written. Heartbreaking, but beautiful. You are a special talent.

[Emunah June.]

Keith, this has been such a hard road. The days dont get any easier and I'm sorting through them the best way I know. I know if you were here I would have run to your house for coffee many a time just for the company. I adore you, give Lorraine my love, and thank you for the review. Sincerely.

[FlatDaddy]

You are more than welcome, and you can come for coffee anytime, the pot is always on -- truthfully. I've been struggling with my past as well and just posted another "story" about it. Don't read it now. I don't want you to cry any more right now. Maybe try "Of Elephants and Toads," or "The Tale of Rabbit Jack." I think either might make you laugh. You could use that.