Tritina for Clara

Clara liked to slip on her pyjamas of the palest pink

after a long day in court. She craved the sleep

that called her, from the four-poster bed, beckoning soft.

Refreshed from her sleep

she breakfasted on grapefruit, not ruby red, but pink

and brushed her hair until it was soft.

Dusting powder onto rosy cheeks so pink

pouting in the mirror as Chanel lipstick caressed lips so soft

she winked at her reflection, glad she’d had a good night’s sleep.

She drove off, all sweet, sleepy pinkness, in her black Mercedes SL.

Copyright Suzy R 2012

More props to the dVerse team http://dversepoets.com/2012/08/30/form-for-all-on-tritinas/ for setting such interesting poetic tasks. This poem is a tribute to the glorious poet Marie Ponsot.

Elephant Highway

Unbalanced carts spilled sun ripe fruit

on the dust strewn road

splitting colours, splashing seed

to meet the market dawn.

Spindly children tried to run

alongside heavy traps

some were strong and long of limb

and barely caught their breath.

Bicycles too, took their own road

and weaved their wheels about

the death they cheated,

although in jest, made

villagers shout out loud.

The noise grew low

for something strong

had taken up this path

a silver grey bull elephant

was on this very route!

Without a sound

the track was cleared

of children, wheels and fruit

whilst 'mister majestic' walked

~ in no par-tic-u-lar hurry ~

Without a backward glance.

Copyright Suzy R 2012

This poem was inspired by the artwork of Borg de Nobel, browse her wonderous artwork here: http://borgeous.wordpress.com courtesy of the ever innovative dVerse Poets crew: http://dversepoets.com/

Be gentle with me

Lovingly massaging unscented oil into baby’s velvet skin

Kneading, ironing out soft wrinkles

She felt dream-like, 

as if she were caressing herself-

hypnotised with love

paralysed with fear

this angelic babe

sweating slightly,

heavy limbed was

totally dependent on her.

An hour had passed,

sweet baby scent perfumed the air

her tears mingled with oil

she had no idea who

gave who more

comfort.

***

The corset hugged her baby-bump

She was almost hour-glass again

the uniform black pinstripe

white shirt, red gloss,

hair or nails ~ but not both

lent her insane confidence.

An hour had passed,

the meeting in 

the airless room

had over run.

Through polished glass

she spotted a group of mothers

casual, laughing, free;

her breasts tingled with milk

for her baby

at home.

 
Copyright Suzy R 2012

The debate rolls on about working mothers, or stay at home mothers: what's best for baby, what's best for mum or indeed the whole family. My view is it's rarely that cut and dried; the reasons to work or not are purely personal and are influenced by an alarming array of factors.
So, this poem is really saying there is pain, depression, guilt on both sides of the fence. Sometimes, what feels like the absolute best decision today, can feel like an anchor round your neck, the next. Women, be kind to each other ~ being a mother is at once the most challenging yet rewarding blessings known to 'man'!

OLYMPIA

                            i

In stadium est laudum ~ the goal is to praise

to be lifted up above competitors' heads

on the roar and swell of human approval as

the endurance of my personal pain is a torch half-lit

without the fire of admiration, to strike it into full flame

there is no merit in weightless feet pounding the earth at breathless speed

unless the eyes of a million cities are gazing on them in wonder.

                           ii

There is no 'i' in team, is a laughable phrase as clearly,

the team would be nothing without me

I carry them, us, our country, the world, ME!

Oh sweet victory, let this be my, I mean our, moment

of crowning glory!

                            iii

I'm watching, straining as far as my eyes can see

surely those dots on the screen can't be real?

what's real is the man next to me, well his stink

does he need to be inebriated to enjoy this spectacle?

                            iv

It's pointless standing apart during this once in a lifetime opportunity

So I'll merge with the crowd I'm crushed with, like family

and cheer for my team, my country, my heroes ~

In stadium est laudum

Copyright Suzy R 2012

This poem was also published in the June issue of What the Dickens Magazine. And what a fabulous read it is too! Well done Editor.