Sunday, November 27, 2011

I Urge You to Abandon Caution (Poem)


Photo Credit: © Christine Donnier-Valentin
Courtesy of Magpie Tales

I Urge You to Abandon Caution

The caution sign's been put down,
a yellow solid line keeping you

on your side and I on mine,
my back, now uncushioned, bare

against the wall scrubbed clean for once
of all the others' slights. I've read

our fortunes between the cracks
of sulfurous stone, watched you try

to fill deep cavities from which lies
grow and calcify. From tufted pockets

the secrets you braided, ornamented, 
spill out, staining the fabric I'd Scotch

-guarded so carefully, forgetting how
unsteady our seating had been. 

The edging's come loose but one thread
among many still holds. Step back 

into the frame. I'll offer a hand. You 
pull. Be quiet. Hold tight.

© 2011 Maureen E. Doallas
______________________________________

This poem is my response to the picture prompt posted today at Magpie Tales. Join in by writing your own poem or short vignette, using as inspiration the photo provided, then go here to add your link and read the other participants' contributions.
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20 comments:

  1. Valerie KamikuboNovember 27, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    I love this poem, Maureen, especially the ending.

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  2. AnonymousNovember 27, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    i like it.

    the fabric I'd Scotch

    -guarded so carefully

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  3. Hannah StephensonNovember 27, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    An "Abandon Caution" sign....we could all stand to hear that.

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  4. CharleenNovember 27, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    I like how you use all the details of the picture in your poem.

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  5. CharleenNovember 27, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    I like how you use all the details of the picture in your poem.

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  6. Kathy BischopingNovember 27, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    I like seeing the poem's words hung on the warning of the yellow line. Favorite line: definitely the "Scotch -guarded" for making Scotch briefly a verb all to itself -- I'm thinking the whiskey here. Sweet!

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  7. jodi amanNovember 28, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    This is perfect for me today. I feel like it is about taking risks in a relationship. Opening up even though I am scared.

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  8. Tess KincaidNovember 28, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    Excellent...I was hoping someone would embrace that yellow line...

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  9. Jenne' R. Andrews November 28, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    This is beautifully crafted and artfully controlled, Maureen-- given that it tells an unraveling-- I loved:

    From tufted pockets

    the secrets you braided, ornamented,
    spill out, staining the fabric I'd Scotch

    -guarded so carefully, forgetting how
    unsteady our seating had been.


    xxxj

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  10. TrellissimoNovember 28, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    No crossing some lines, eh?

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  11. BerowneNovember 28, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    "Step back into the frame." Interesting film-script writing style.

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  12. HelenNovember 28, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    ... very nice.

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  13. Carrie Van HornNovember 28, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    A stunning write Maureen!!

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  14. Brian MillerNovember 28, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    i have read our fortunes between the cracks...nice line maureen...also like your close...fresh take on the prompt...

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  15. RuthNovember 29, 2011 at 3:57 AM

    Full red ahead!

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  16. IntelliblogNovember 30, 2011 at 2:36 AM

    Beautiful Magpie, well written.

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  17. Dave KingNovember 30, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    This is so good, a real joy to read.

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  18. hyperCRYPTICalDecember 1, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    Lovely lines - a pleasure to read.

    Anna :o]

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  19. katdishDecember 3, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    Amazing how much you draw from that picture. Beautiful, Maureen.

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  20. AnonymousDecember 3, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    the secrets you braided, ornamented,
    spill out, staining the fabric I'd Scotch

    -guarded so carefully, -> nice enjambment

    ReplyDelete