FANTASMA.

i mourn my tongue,

for it bounces off pains

that were never yours

to carry.

sweet autumn eyes,

how i could scribe you a song

in the blooms of spring

and thundering summer rains

all my days

and all my nights!

how i could trace

your collarbones 

dipped in winter moonlight

and gentle sighing.

how i could convince

any stranger's crowd 

you are glimmering gold

wrapped in flesh and bone.

and how i find the joy

in doing just so!

but speaking of gold

with a silver mouth

and a bronzed pen 

means nothing

if i cannot convince

you too.

you drown in the tears

i shed ; a gift

bestowed by others

but ever your burden.

you reach for my face

but find no solace

in my reflection.

a broken woman.

a demigod man.

i am afraid to sing

your siren song

and find you gone

from all my wreckage.

and yet -- 

ever still -- 

i would not blame your

search for sanctuary.

Reviews

[Kenneth The Poet]

You have a wonderful gift. The stanza where you reference the metals that define the Olympic medals is my favorite.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Emunah, lately I have found myself searching for you, searching for clues as to what is going on in your life, in the lines of your poetry. Probably I should stop, just enjoy the read. As usual, there is much here to like.I love the lines: but speaking of gold….with a silver mouth….and a bronzed pen….means nothing. The collarbones stanza is beautiful and evocative. It hurt to read this as it seems to describe a relationship falling apart and the narrator seems to be putting so much of the fault upon herself, in almost every stanza from “pains that were never yours to carry” to “ever your burden” “no solace in my reflection” “ gone from all my wreckage” to “ I would not blame your search for sanctuary.” To the extent you may be writing of your own life, I hope the writing helps, and hope you know you have friends here reading your words.MSB

[---]

Your Autumn eyed man sounds a little in-human, like a bit of an effigy, or an icon - I'm not sure if it's possible for anyone to live up to those expectations, though I'm sure he'd appreciate your honoring him so.

In my experience, good men are a lot like good women - with the same brokenness, the same hopes and aspirations, the same deep desire not to have to navigate the world alone. From what I've seen, it's when those jigsaw edges can be reassembled - when they fit together with some degree of simpatico - that love can ignite and weld those seams into place.

When this happens, the other person becomes a bit of a savior to us, and it's tragically easy to inflate our idea of that person so as to better occupy a place within the narratives of our lives.

Often, they are just as human, just as flawed - albeit, their love for what we ourselves resent can feel miraculous, given that we've never been taught to look otherwise.

Anyways, I do like the last stanza - sanctuary is an often under-appreciated commodity, and I can definitely relate to the impetus in searching for it.

Gorgeous, as always.

[Betty Hermelee]

This poem begins with many accolades about him... and as you scribe. it seems as if he is not the man for you....you recognize his faults....but not right away....first it is portrayed as if he is is the perfect lover, but then you realize he is not the person you thought he was...he cannot find what he desires in her..."you drown in the tears I shed".....she self blames for the pain that he must carry as well...a very emotional piece...back and forth with glimmers of sadness...
Warmly, B

[Emunah June.]

Betty, I always appreciate your words, for you sincerely read my poetry and understand it, which I am thankful for. I am glad you enjoyed my work, and as always, stay in touch!

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Emunah...I love your work and am honored to read and review it...be well...
Warmly, B

[Emunah June.]

It means the world to me and then some. Please, send some of your work my way should you want a review!

[Betty Hermelee]

HI...just go to my site and you'll see piles of poems... no worries though; I know you'll review new stuff!!!

[Emunah June.]

I want to review everything and anything, and I always do it from the heart, so Ill be sure to swing by and see what catches my eye!