Time slips between the stones
& falls on the water
My lungs are drowning in salt
I offer no resistance to lack of air
I am so tired of fighting
for every breath, for every fitful sleep
Death sits on my chest
with tyrant coat, ever a watchman without a name
What coins can I give to him
when I think nothing of myself, a mere shadow
that wants to vanish & hide
beneath the deep tunnels of the sea
But somewhere your hands
come in a burst of light
Is this a dream?
Your stranger eyes are kind
As if you understand my pain & shame
You lift me up on your shoulders
and say my scars are worthy
of a warrior
Do I have wings?
The air pounds of energy, I am drawing
a phoenix in bright colors
The sun is my birthright
Under which I will build my ark
with my other sisters
I will be the language of my making
From ashes, I write my name anew:
life-giver, protector of children:
Woman
Phoenix
Posted for the D'verse Poets Pub- Passion of Brooke Shaden - We are getting inspiration from photography and inspiring words of Brooke Shaden. Cheers to all the women who rise above abuse, injustice and discrimination and have been victims of human trafficking. Also my admiration goes to everyone who give women a chance to gain their own dignity & independence.
So many abused women need a savior to let them be reborn into a new life like that.. I love the turning point like the phoenix raising... This picture was one that caught my attention as well.
ReplyDeleteGetting out of such and ordeal and rising above take a ton of strength indeed. Bunch of sickos in the world, they are who should be shoved in a deep dark hole.
ReplyDeleteReally impressed Grace!
ReplyDeleteI love this" As if you understand my pain & shame...."
Really good Grace:)
The closing is amazing and I echo your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSo many are in need of those strong stranger hands and kind stranger eyes to help them gain strength to rise again! Thank you for a very fine prompt today, Grace.
ReplyDeletePowerful, love the image of the phoenix and writing your name in ash.
ReplyDeletei love how a bit of encouragement can just change everything and lifts the weight from her shoulders.. it's so precious if someone really sees us
ReplyDelete"and say my scars are worthy of a warrior".....an empowering and inspiring write, Grace. I love it!
ReplyDeleteEncouragement, and having someone to be there emotionally, is so so important when someone is going through this. I pray for every woman in these situations...
ReplyDeleteSo dark at first, as you plunge us into chaotic hopelessness, & then the lifeline, the kindness, the love like a rope of white light; very inspiring, as hope eternal does seem to rise out of the ashes of abuse, of despair; thanks; great take on the image too.
ReplyDeleteThis poem reminds me of my mother, she's was a victim of abuse; I say "was" because she tells me she's no longer a victim and the tragedies made her a better and more aware, woman. Lovely write, Grace!! :))
ReplyDeleteGrace, a superb poem!
ReplyDeleteI liked the progression of your poem, from pain and hurt to srength and optimism. 'when I think nothing of myself, a mere shadow ' - people who see themselves in such a bad light are not always as lucky as your persona.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love that ending!
ReplyDeleteGrace this is now my favorite poem of yours. Your strong images and lines pull from the art and stand firmly in your own strength. Brava.
ReplyDeleteYou nailed this one, Grace - powerful phoenix poem!!!
ReplyDeleteIt too love the ending--Grace--your piece is wonderful!
ReplyDeletescars worthy of a warrior..that is a very powerful line..a wonderful dark bit of writing.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful powerful piece
ReplyDeleteThis is very empowering, Grace. I like how the strength grows...as the Phoenix rises and discovers her rightful place. The end gave me goosebumps...
ReplyDeletelovely...the emotions in this were heavy...I could feel the drowning...and I could feel the power of the rising from the ashes...lovely.
ReplyDeleteHaving lost all...she'll begin anew. My mind is using your beautifully-inspired words to "see" in distant past. and identify with this piece.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Grace!
"You lift me up on your shoulders
ReplyDeleteand say my scars are worthy
of a warrior"
Yes. I'm glad you told the story a bit in your poem… There is no shame - we should all admire the courage it takes to to overcome such trauma! Inspirational, this poem.
Bravo!! It is wonderful that you honoured this artist by sharing her passion for hope and change. This is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou lift me up on your shoulders
ReplyDeleteand say my scars are worthy
of a warrior...nice....the giving of a new name
as well in the end...there is a great sense of rebirth in this...
A great challenge, Grace, and never have I seen a poem so perfectly matched with both an image and its intent. Quite a rebirth.
ReplyDeleteLoved this.....powerful.....!!
ReplyDeleteThe first part so hopeless, so passive, then "But somewhere your hands
ReplyDeletecome in a burst of light" and it all changes - you change, you have a new beginning and purpose.... beautifully written.
Grace - simply I have no words for it to tell you how you make me feel right now. Such wonderful piece - and so larger than life.
ReplyDeleteI like the "death on the chest with a tyrant coat" and the progression to the last line as free ...lovely Grace
ReplyDeleteSuch a successful progression from victim to champion, Grace. Beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteGreat, full of courage self- analyzing research in poetic form, and notice that despite of 'him' supporting 'her', the sun, - only her will can change the picture, set intention, take direction to rebirth, new names, higher level of consciousness...~ Creative and empowering! x
ReplyDeleteStrong and empowering poem, Grace!
ReplyDeleteLove the attention which raises her up as if she had wings--but also, I recognize the attraction of the salt and mire. Sisters and brothers have to lift each other and teach eachother to speak again. The sun is the birthright.
ReplyDeleteNice sentiments.
ReplyDeleteA powerful transformation! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis poem and the picture were strongly complementary - nice.
ReplyDeleteI love the drama and the emotions that your piece evokes, the progression from resignation to hope and courage. Lovely writing here, as always, Grace. :-)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Can I repost it on my site?
ReplyDeleteSure you may ~ Thank you Jolly~
DeleteYou would have found yourself loving the take no prisoners attitude found in both my grandmother and mother. I am my my mother son I am proud to say.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful piece Grace to compliment the art. I too admire talented women who give their time to the nurturing of others.
ReplyDeleteTigerbrite
Very nice. The ending surprised me, it's powerful! The image is perfect for the content. Everyone needs to read this! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletepowerful ~
ReplyDelete