Monday, November 15, 2010

We Go Deep (Poem)


Waimea Canyon, Kauai, Hawaii
Image Courtesy of Kathleen Overby
Used With Permission

We Go Deep

What unseen hand
cleaved her side,
removed her structure's ribbing,
nerve endings left tissue-paper thin,
her face unnaturally open and blistering?

See. She breathes in the spaces between,
her peeled back skin not having to remember
the distance spent tunneling to the heart,
every layer become a scar accumulating wisdom.

Her seam of connections curling in
on themselves, she commands we notice
she stands still,
her knot of tension the scrim rimming edges
of then and now.

We go deep,
she wants to say
be grateful,
look for how the light inside reveals.

© 2010 Maureen E. Doallas
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I wrote this image poem for Tuesday's Blog Carnival, sponsored by Bridget Chumbley at One Word at a Time.

The Blog Carnival is a biweekly online event open to anyone. Participants write either original poetry or prose reflecting their consideration of or response to the one-word prompt or topic. The prompt for November 16 is "gratitude".

At Bridget's place, you'll find a list of links to all of the Blog Carnival contributions, which are posted throughout Tuesday and often through to the end of the week.

The Blog Carnival's FaceBook page is here.

The prompt for the next Blog Carnival, scheduled for Tuesday, November 30, is "fellowship". The complete schedule of prompts through the end of the year is available at Bridget's and also on the FaceBook page.

Special thanks go to Kathleen Overby, who invited me to write a poem inspired by her photograph. Kathleen can be found at both Almost Paradisical and Neoteny.

* * * * *

I offer this poem also for One Stop Poetry's weekly "One Shot Wednesday" event. Be sure to visit the site late Tuesday afternoon and every Wednesday for links to the many contributors' "one shot" poems.

26 comments:

Glynn said...

Beautiful poem, Maureen. The words just wrap around that picture, too.

Melanie L Moro-Huber said...

A gift to find such poems as this, and what a stunning picture too. Thanks for sharing.

Kathleen Overby said...

'oh that our scars would accumulate wisdom' so the pain is fuel for something good.

This was full of knowing that comes from maturity....and life experiences. Nice pairing.

L.L. Barkat said...

I feel this poem, like a deep slow cut.

Anonymous said...

you hit the nail right on the head.
well done, maureen.

S. Etole said...

the two of you have paired this well ...

Laura said...

that ending. it lifts.

the best makeover for scars--gratitude.

and I'm still thinking about you and your only at the Smithsonian's butterfly garden with the Very Hungry Caterpillar guy and wings filling the air!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful poem. Love the way the first and last lines tie together.

Anonymous said...

Those last two lines... wow! The pic is amazing as well. Great poem, Maureen.

a joyful noise said...

And after all that, the LIGHT was able to shine in! Powerful

Ami Mattison said...

Ah-mazing, Maureen! "the distance spent tunneling to the heart/every layer become a scar accumulating wisdom." Just lovely.

I think you've done a great job with the rich, sensuous imagery here. And the poem is such a poignant homage to the provocative image.

Thank you for sharing!

Shell said...

Complete resonance....from beginning to end. Going deeper, slipping beneath surface layers is what life is about. My many scars remind me of this truth.... Beautiful poem.
~Shell

katdish said...

What a wonderful pairing of words and picture. Thank you both.

Hannah Stephenson said...

Gorgeous image--what kind of tree is this? I like your celebration of openness (even as a result of struggle or scar).

I seem to remember the idea of layers elsewhere in your writing. It seems like this concept particularly resonates with you.

Steve Isaak said...

Thoughtful, solid work.

Belinda said...

A lovely take on imperfection and digging deep inside.

Whitesnake said...

As always you excel..........

Anonymous said...

Great picture and wonderful words to go with it. Love the idea of scars accumulating wisdom. Thanks for sharing this.

Basque-Land said...

This poem reminds me of a prayer somehow. So reverent. It does go deep. Thank you.

Jerry said...

I echo Katheen Overby.

Jenne' R. Andrews said...

yes...terrific; your poetry always glitters with emotion leveraged by your craft-- you never disappoint! love, Jenne'

Bubba said...

Life finds a way. Nice One Shot, Maureen!

Shashidhar Sharma said...

Dear Maureen
Beautiful and very apt for the image.. I enjoyed the way you have used the unseen hands, as it cleaved her side...
Thanks for sharing..

ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
Twitter: @VerseEveryDay
Blog: http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com

signed...bkm said...

Lovely thoughtful poem on nature on the human soul....bkm

Michelle DeRusha said...

Awesome poem, Maureen -- and it goes so well with the photograph. Very nicely done.

Marshy said...

what a wonderful write...you are so prolific..well done