She sculpts glass opaque
imprisons and reveals
frozen faces of love and doubt
feminine grace, ever fresh, a requirement
that stills the surrounded surrogate shape -
foggy smoky world:
someone barely hidden
looks to us for trust and fairness
like she looks at the dusty glass;
unlike ice it will not melt
unlike happy endings; oval faces,
free hair and limbs will remain
imprisoned curls of beauty
- essence caught, easier to deal with -
She sculpts a fascinating sibylline object
for him to play and pray
a token that he will find easier to love -
The line that sticks out to me in this poem is "essence caught, easier to deal with-". The emotion, or lack thereof expressed, by the second stanza and its closing line made me think of all the things in life that would be so much easier if they could be caught/contained...but how void of life they would then be. But... do we turn ourselves into those tokens, devoid of life, so that we are easier to love or wish that others would do the same? Thought provoking and intriguing idea...
an object of affection...though you depict a view of love there is a sadness to it's display for we are not as objects that one can just place on a mantel...we are filled with emotions, feelings, and caring...though we can sculpt and create...nice work Axilea
This poem tantalizes and delights me, Axilea. I have read it several times and enjoy it more and more each time - especially so coming from your kind review of Stoppered Love, about the "selves in glass bottles". I am fascinated by the duallisms you conjure here - is it self or another she both "imprisons and reveals" in her sculpting? That face, likeness, living wisps of "free hair and limbs" that remain animate yet suspended, looking to her for "trust and fairness"? Truthful soothsaying. Accurate representation. And the notions that projections are both easier to love and to play/pray with.
Such skilled craft in your concise writing here. I'm spellbound... which takes me to the key word in the whole poem for me: that beautiful one, sibylline. She's a seer with a crystal ball... a clair voyant (clear-seeing) who holds the happiness of those within her glass (as well as those who seek answers FROM her misted glass) within the skill of her fingers and palms of her hands. I'm in awe, thank you. xx
For me, Axilea, it's like Pygmalion in reverse,
she the sculptor/sculptress preparing for her love
"a token that he will find easier to love"...
Such awareness of the fear some men have
of women their equal.
Oh, Axilea, this is so beautifully written, and for me, so filled with pain.
It resonates... so many long to be liberated from this kind of experience. You are a masterful writer ~
Blessings,
Christine
I find this symbolically meaningful and open to imaginative and creative thoughts. Thank you for sharing this gift, Axilea. Love and best wishes to you,
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Cryssa
Such skilled craft in your concise writing here. I'm spellbound... which takes me to the key word in the whole poem for me: that beautiful one, sibylline. She's a seer with a crystal ball... a clair voyant (clear-seeing) who holds the happiness of those within her glass (as well as those who seek answers FROM her misted glass) within the skill of her fingers and palms of her hands. I'm in awe, thank you. xx
The fog will disappear
Stunning poetry
db
she the sculptor/sculptress preparing for her love
"a token that he will find easier to love"...
Such awareness of the fear some men have
of women their equal.
John
God bless,
Lew
Such a lovely premise, Axilea. -gene.
fee
Christine
It resonates... so many long to be liberated from this kind of experience. You are a masterful writer ~
Blessings,
Christine
Regis