*This is part one to the collection, To Plant the Memories Like Seeds
Check out part two, Greenhouse*
The chain-link fence stands ten feet tall,
twice my height with barbed wire curled
between the thin metal links.
I stare at the fence-at my memories
keeping the dreams within perimeters,
the nightmares hidden in the spikes
protruding every other inch.
Everything inside, slightly out of focus,
my eyes drawn in by the shine of your
teeth reflecting on the barrier.
Your eyes held no shine at all,
a dull, lifeless pair of marbles,
leafy green like that of virgin
Mary’s fine rags. (What an irony)
I was before the fragmentary fence,
the construction carrying on as the
events played out.
I remained on the outside with the
wolf, his breath tickling my nostrils
with the snarls amplifying the weight
of his words-
How beautiful the flower had grown
to become, what a shame the stem
couldn’t live up to the petals.
You did not take the Mary from my
name, but only if we speak in
technicalities.
Just because the fence bares many
holes, does not mean it is fine to
claim one over others because you
like the way it looks in your possession.
Just because you steal one, does not
mean it will not affect the rest, they are
all still connected to one another.
It was of no surprise to me that
everyone liked you- a wolf in
sheeps clothing knows its disguise.
I knew you from when you were but
a florist, until it was decided that I
no longer needed your services.
You climbed your way into my garden
and ripped up the roots that would
have otherwise become the chain-
link of opportunities.
When planted in the flowerbed, I can
no longer take chances with adding
color to my monochromatic theme.
I almost miss the time I was too young
to realize the grower was becoming a
flesh-hungry animal, ready to pounce
on the dandelion who’d finally become
a rose.
I used my thorns like the barbed wire,
attempting to keep you out of my garth.
But the second time you tried to plant
seeds in soil that wasn’t yours, you
complimented my ability to maintain
the overgrowth.
I did not tell you it was prohibited, Instead
let you finish building the chain-link fence
connecting memories to anxiety.
It reads like a book in condense
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Is that good? lol
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Yes! I pictured different chapters.
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That’s cool 🙂
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This is beautiful ❤
There are so many interpretations, I'm unsure of where to start. One could be of someone who lives guarded with and has a wall up in their mind, blocking the world and hiding their innermost, keeping their garden to themselves, until somebody comes along and plucks away the beauty and joy and leaves nothing but despair and ruins. It could be more literal like trump wanting to build the wall. Or it could go deeper into that of innocence being taken before it should have. It's a beautiful analogy (especially since I love flowers) and I'm interested to what the actual meaning it was written in is. I get it if its too personal, but jw
Anyways, beautiful piece, I really enjoyed reading it ❤
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Amazing! Very deep-rooted
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like Gabby says, this is so full of possible interpretations. My overwhelming sense at the end of reading it was one of sadness. Innocence lost or perhaps stolen, violated , perhaps violently.
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“Just because the fence bares many
holes” Really like this, love the idea of a fence baring holes. Like gnashing teeth. On display. Holes, in the heart, in the fence.
The whole thing I am sad to say, though, read kind of static. I didn’t hear too much variability in voice.
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You’re not wrong in the lack of variability in the voice, but that’s because it felt more like an explanation when writing it.
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I see a lot of ways to interpret this. My interpretation kept changing as I progressed.
My first impression was that the fence was keeping someone from their dreams. Then, I saw Trump and his wall separating families. Act three plays out like a molested child.
I like that the fence is chain-link, so whatever the situation the McGuffin, the desired change, promised land is still visible.
That’s some deep shit. Nicely done.
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Thank you, my friend. And, just to clarify it has nothing to do with Trump and the wall.
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I didn’t think it did. That’s just where my mind went.
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That’s fine, I leave all my poems to interpretation, I’m just saying it wasn’t an intention 🙂
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