He Said it With His Hands~
Summer was hot,
scorched in memories
of kisses in the shade
in back of
Granny's place
where lemons hung
like swollen testicles
from sagging branches
of an ancient tree.
Love and pain met
became one
breath,
one measure
of a song that plays
where fingertips
dance,
and hearts remember.
"Love compliments,
it doesn't critisiZe"
She said it
with deliberation
as though they
were the most
important words
ever heard.
Draped them over
a bruised shoulder
and deaf ears
with tears in her eyes.
He loved her.
Confused it with
fingers
that found their way
around her neck
to choke out
truth he didn't want
to hear.
He needed her.
With rules
that would ensure
she never left
.... alive.
When he wanted her.
He said it with his hands.
2000-04-30 ©k~
This post is part of the
A-Z Challenge 2012.
I. Not sure I can ever look at a lemon tree the same again.
ReplyDeletejust grinZ
DeleteUgh. This is a great description of an abuser's mind. They are so screwed up that they do it out of love. Great write.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rachel. Sometimes understanding allows movement.
DeleteVery good, k. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you d :-)
DeleteExcellent, although disturbing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Paula, it is intended to be.
DeleteI loved it - read it twice!
ReplyDeleteTwice? When I do that it means it caught my attention :-) Thank you Lizy.
DeleteOh wow, what a morbid but wonderful twist at the end there. A story, and a poem, all in one.
ReplyDeletegentle smile Some of my favorites are just like that. Thank you Matthew for peeking in and leaving your prints on my page :-)
DeletePowerful and well written! Nice job.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda.
DeleteAbuse is ugly...testicles hanging on lemon tree branches is ugly...your desire to understand or explain the thinking, however, is quite amazing. I also read it twice because I want to know the whys of abuse. Somehow, I feel if we know why, we can avoid being its victim.
ReplyDelete♥
I think you are right about that Jo, this particular poem was a reflection. In order to help those who have been, or are being abused, I had to understand the psyche behind it, but it is ugly on all sides. It is also an unfortunate part of reality for far too many people.
DeleteHaunting and disturbing, and oh so sad.
ReplyDeleteThank you Goddess for stopping by my page, and taking in words that express a difficult situation.
DeleteI like the style and the flow.
ReplyDeleteLiked it!
Thank you N :-) If we keep this up all of us individual letters will have a colony of alphabetical people ;-)
Deletek~
This was disturbing as all abuse is. Very well written and deeply poignant.
ReplyDeleteKathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com/
Thank you Kathy... it is not a topic for the faint at heart.
DeleteAbuse is such an ugly thing-- and it is frighteningly unpredictable as was your ending. You captured this well. You have a brilliant mind!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Jenn
http://www.wine-n-chat.com
Thank you Jenn... it is actually pretty predictable, which is an even uglier thing.
DeleteWow. You have such a broad range of ability, K! You so often express beauty and you do it extraordinarily well. And then this. Dark and disturbing, yet delivered perfectly. I'm thoroughly impressed!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a strong writer Beth, that the compliment you gave me tonight means a great deal. Thank you for the encouragement and continued participation in my growth with words.
DeleteThis got me right in, then surprised me. (Much like the fellow in the poem, perhaps.)
ReplyDeleteIndeed, that would be the case most often... a surprise, or at least a hoped unexpected circumstance. Thank you for reading Rosemary
DeleteLove the use of a lemon tree. Sour, bitter, like the minds beneath them. No sugar to make the ade.
ReplyDeletesmiles It transfers nicely that way. Thank you for reading and responding.
DeleteI suppose the lemons hanging like testicles from the branches was my first clue this was not going to be all rainbows and unicorns. A most excellent visual I plan to steal. Very haunting and dark by the end. Loved this:
ReplyDeleteDraped them over
a bruised shoulder
and deaf ears
with tears in her eyes.
When emotions are in play, it is not always "happily ever after" but there will usually be a lesson or three to gather from the journey. Thank you for reading and responding Clair
DeleteExcellent powerful write! (I will always think of lemons differently now!)
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
grinZ This one has a tendency to do that to people looks innocently up at the tree for the life of me, I just cannot figure out why. Seriously thank you I appreciate the time it took for you to visit and respond.
Delete