Terzanelle
Because each scar invites me to explore
This convoluted sculpture of the past,
I can't resist; I must come back for more.
In every game one name is left till last--
A victim of the school of youthful crimes.
This convoluted sculpture of the past
Wears tangled thorns that still draw blood at times,
Revealing tales not shared except in trust.
A victim, of the school, of youthful crimes,
Of days in fear all hopelessly unjust,
Lives on despite the numbing of the years,
Revealing tales not shared except in trust
To those prepared to understand the tears.
A story dressed in memories of a youth
Lives on despite the numbing of the years
And tells us that we never know the truth.
Because each scar invites me to explore
A story dressed in memories of a youth
I can't resist, I must come back for more.
Comments
Whenever you post something serious, I find myself searching in vain for a punch-line! For a minute, there, when I read the last stanza, I thought you were talking about, er, you know. Something Greek. Something Greek and naughty. (I read the last two lines as a single sentence. Wait--WAS that intentional? Am I, perhaps, not a colossal pervert?)
Notes:
1. It was written as a serious poem. The punctuation is deliberate. I enjoy the way the juxtaposition of different lines with only punctuation changes modifies meanings in villanelles and terzanelles. In a sense, the sentence in the last three lines has an element of surprise, a punch-line quality, but it wasn't intended to deliver prurient humour or shock.
2. Just in case you were wondering, it's not all about me. I started writing with a couple of lines in mind that did reflect my own feelings, but as I wrote more, I found there were life experiences (more dramatic than those from my own boring existence) that I could express.
3. Youth is relative. ;-)
1. I am relieved to know it is, indeed, a serious poem, without the rather bizarre interpretation I saw in it. At the same time, I'm wondering what that says about ME.
2. I WAS wondering where you got the idea from, although I didn't think it could be about you, entirely. You don't seem like the bullying victim sort to me.
3. Was that an admonishment to grow up? ;-)
Socar: "At the same time, I'm wondering what that says about ME."
It says that you expect me to insert humorous, barbed, twisted, icky, or sick-punnish lines into otherwise serious poems just to play with people's heads. Now, I ask you, "Would I do things like that?"
Socar: "Was that an admonishment to grow up?"
Definitely not. I'd be hypocritical to do so.
"Would I do things like that?"
...YES! The fact that this time you didn't shouldn't be taken to imply that you never would.
*whistles innocently*