Saturday, July 23, 2011
It's Not Her
She wears her face like a patch
the stitches unraveling
weaving into the haphazard disarray of hair
around the eyes, especially, the seams have torn
and the stuffing of insanity seems to dwarf the blue
irises ticking back and forth with shuddering apprehension
it is her face
only it isn't
in an arc she shuffles
an invisible tether to her front door
that reaches to mine no further
she will not enter anymore
presuming nefarious intent, or some other untruth
yet to her...it is stark raving certainty
hidden cameras are watching
behind her sewn on eyes
cockled with fear
my neighbor is in there...somewhere
her paranoia is warranted
'cuz sure as shit, someone took her away
and we are all watching
her face
only it isn't
.
.
.
.
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That's a rather haunting image up there...
ReplyDelete... an even more haunting poem...
~shoes~
I was lost between the image and your words, and then thoughts from Tim Burton’s: Nightmare Before Christmas, Sally the raggedy doll. Enjoying a little bit of haunting here…
ReplyDeletePerhaps the image is too much. Hard to find one and I was certainly not going to go knock and her door and take one. Her husband came over this afternoon to give me plums. A moment later the doorbell rang. "That's her" he said, "coming to check up on me." I saw her haggard face in the pane of glass next to my door. "She hasn't showered since she came home from the hospital. The judge wouldn't let us medicate her without her consent, so she was released."
ReplyDeleteSo damn sad. His eyes water. They spill like a leaky faucet that never gets fixed.
"pulling teeth, tie the string and slam the door."
ReplyDeleteThe image works. It is powerful imagery. Sad.
ReplyDeletewell, this is a depressing snippet of mental illness. wishing something better for this woman: i have clients who fight demons.
ReplyDelete'the seams have torn'
ww, i always like the play of 'seams'.
as in, the seems have torn
because both are probably true.
nice to visit,
where is jos?
love
kj
I didn't realize this was real, not reality. I'm sorry. How horrible.
ReplyDeleteboy do i get that. mostly I think it's me...or will be and I wonder just how much there is out there that we never get to see in our appointed life
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, sad and haunting, Annie. I know some people like you described. Love you! xo
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, Annie...
ReplyDelete~shoes~
Travis - I wish she would consent to be medicated. She is against the idea completely. She scared me into taking my meds. I don't want to wind up like that.
ReplyDeleteLinda - I'm not sure. I think maybe the image was too provacative and detracted from the message. Or maybe it was just perfect for you and I :)
Anthony - She was that neighbor that was always bringing the kids in for ice cream or cookies. She was so good to them, and us. I don't know what to do for her. I am disheartened. For both of them. The golden years aren't looking so good.
KJ - Yes. Seems. Seams. Coming apart at both. I get it. I'll check up on Jos. You've made me realize it's been awhile. Thank you!
Lorraine - Scary to think, there but for the grace of God, go I.
Marion - It seems sudden. I guess it hasn't been so. Maybe a year. But she's gone. Her husband is afraid if she doesn't get help soon, it will be too late for her. But she won't consent to any treatment. Just wanders. Aimless. Doesn't take care of herself, or anything anymore. It ain't living!
Shoes - Thanks Professor. It really is a huge loss to our cul-de-sac, and our lives.
Oh, this reminded me of the book Coraline. But yours is an adult story. Mental illness is devastating to behold. You wrote it well. Her husbands eyes will stay with me, from the comments.
ReplyDeletesometimes i think all us people watchers are hidden cameras to our subjects.
ReplyDeleteyou are a gem.
ReplyDeletexoxo
kj
Amy - She is taking him with her. It's sad to watch. Wish I didn't feel so helpless.
ReplyDeleteEd - Yes. My eyes are always framing shots. I know yours are too Shutter Bug.
KJ - In the rough perhaps... :)
strong indelible imagery, and the structure is perfection
ReplyDeleteMoonbeams - Thank you. I know nothing of structure, or even poetry. But I know what I like and I liked yours. I am a student. That is all. Finding ways to speak, and also be heard.
ReplyDeleteMournful. Well done.. Certainly a memorable piece. It writes itself upon the mind ...
ReplyDeleteThis one hits close to home, beautifully tragic.
ReplyDeleteJamie - She writes on my mind. On my skin. She scares me. I have mental issues. I don't want to be that...God willing.
ReplyDeleteKlaire - Yes. For you and I both. Thank you.
this really makes one pensive. to be this way.. well, what can i say..
ReplyDelete