in the mirror,
your face
is staring back at me
a line across your forehead
furrowed as mine
your eyes hardset as gravel
your thin mouth snarling,
a loaded gun
i fear the words tipping
out of my own lips
a thunderbolt
of energy, sharp gust of adrenalin
uncontained
i tie my curly hair back
as if to rein in myself
amidst the rising
fear and frustration
but when i put my hand
over my heart,
i
know
it beats
differently-
soft as raindrops
Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - OLN, hosted by Linda Lyberg. Join us when the pub doors open at 3pm EST.
So beautiful, Grace: that heartbeat is the core of our being, the part we can trust, which guides us through the fear and frustration.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely, lovely words Grace.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful, Grace. I love the reflection of fierceness and feeling of the heart beating--the soul within.
ReplyDeleteGrace,
ReplyDeleteThat vulnerability last stanza comes at us so unexpectedly that it literally leaves us gasping at the pain. I love the way you weave imagery and emotion so seamlessly. Beautifully written.
pax,
dora
I feel the duality between the soft raindrops and that anger... maybe you need a bit of both... and there are moments for both.
ReplyDeleteReigning in and disarming that snarling mouth, and softening those gravelly eyes, softening that heartbeat by pulling back one's hair...oh, if only
ReplyDeleteGreat write, Grace.
I feel like she's trying to move from her head to her heart and it's all so beautifully stirring. 💓
ReplyDeleteI found the imagery of tying your hair back as reins to control yourself very interesting.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful metaphors, Grace. I love:
ReplyDelete"your eyes hardset as gravel"
"Your thin mouth snarling,
a loaded gun"
"I fear the words tipping
out of my own lips
a thunderbolt."
Really wonderful <3
first i thought maybe you were seeing yourself, your feeling on the surface in contrast with your inner self, and then i thought maybe youre seeing someone else, a relative maybe, who resembles you, but as a person, quite different... (?) love the mystery of this, very well written.
ReplyDeleteOh the heartbeat is such a lovely ending. We really are to journey on to love.
ReplyDeleteMuch💜love
The heart has its own eyes, for sure. Still deep waters are such a different vantage -- they are my true north ...
ReplyDeleteuuuh!!
ReplyDeleteI am suffering badly my sight and arthritis, so I will return soon and read and remark,!
ReplyDeleteThis is nearly cinematic in its strong and ambiguous imagery. I love it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a visceral evocation of anger...My heart followed as the return to the physical heartbeat, the breath, slowed things down. (K)
ReplyDeleteMirrors and masks lend themselves so well to poetry like this, introspective and reflective. I have felt this about someone "..your thin mouth snarling,/a loaded gun.." and it's frightening, but your poem takes us past this to a better perspective. Excellent writing, Grace.
ReplyDeleteI feel a redemption in this ... beautifully penned, Grace. Happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteCompelling contrast!
ReplyDeleteHand over heart, where truth lives. A beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDelete~peace, Jason