I could walk across broken glass,
slice the red river Nile from heel to toe
and I’d apologize for leaving behind
bloody footprints on your hardwood floors.
I am all unnecessary guilt
and ritualistic fear.
I’ve been training for this moment my entire life.
I discovered my grandmother’s footprints.
I followed them through the house,
down the leftover fragments of sidewalk.
I waited in her long-gone shadow
for the crosswalk to shine silent permission.
I carried the sound of her voice on the tip of my thumb,
rubbed my finger across it,
like the needle point on her Singer sewing machine,
watched the blood bubble up.
perfect village gazing ball.
I saw her heart plucked from her chest,
watched her fade out –
a burnt wick at the end of a candle.
She didn’t even raise an eyebrow,
bat a lash.
They dropped her heart to the floor
and she asked their forgiveness for making such a mess.
© Laura A. Lord, 2020
Thank you to MindLoveMisery for their prompt.
Exactly. ~ You’ve given it wonderful words.
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Thank you. It’s certainly bittersweet to see so many people understand this feeling. At least I’m not alone.
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That’s actually the one lifeline to hold on to while feeling this or such – Knowing one’s not alone.
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Wow! This moved me. Very well written🙏🏼
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Thank you!
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Powerful and lovely
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Thank you dear.
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Yes! Yes! Yes! Someone should put music to this and make it the women National Anthem. I don’t know how many times i apologize for something just because I sense a mood.
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I can’t sing to save my life, but I’d totally take my hat off to this anthem. Sensing a mood is totally a thing and is the worst to try to explain to someone else, especially if they’re the ones in the mood.
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This is gorgeous. The emotions are just so beautifully illustrated.
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Thank you!
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Nice
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Thanks!
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Welcome
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The words are just softly melting in my head. Great
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Thank you!
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Wow, poignant and vivid. This is beautiful writing
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Thank you very much.
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My pleasure
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Incredibly vivid imagery. My wife is constantly apologizing for imagined slights. Thank you for your strength of image.
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I’m positive that this sort of apologetic nature is hereditary. I know I learned it from my mother and her mother and so on. Women are taught to be sorry for any possible inconvenience they may be or have on those around them.
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I enjoyed every bit of it. Great work of art.
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Thank you!
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What flow
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Thank you
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Beautiful!
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Thank you!
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very powerful words! Great!
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Thank you!
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