Glow by Randall LaGro, oil on board, photo courtesy of the Blue Rain Gallery, Taos, New Mexico
This poem was written for the Sunday Scribblings´prompt "Skin." I wrote it in 15 minutes while drinking tea in a Starbucks in Seville. So let´s consider it a first draft!
The sensitive skin I´m in seems
increasingly thin,
much affected by slings and arrows.
Once it was tougher,
hardened by repeated exposure
to cities´ fast pace.
Bracing
for whatever came next
without flinching or looking away.
At a certain point,
detachment became a matter of course;
enduring trials; strengthening resolve.
Hidden effects on the psyche
at last register on the face:
skin becomes almost translucent.
Anxiety and resentment surface,
bringing fine lines and shadows
lurking among the freckles.
Denying attempts to mask pain and grief,
suppressed for years
as a means of survival.
Despite the best moisturisers,
skin indelibly imprinted
with time´s stealth passage.
A map of war wounds,
detailing experiences happy and sad:
I choose to be glad.
Love it! And I especially loved your allusion to how as we age our skin seems to grow thinner on ALL levels. Such a paradox...it 'should' grow thicker and therefore be better equipped to ward off the arrows. Maybe that's why so many of us choose to spend so much more time alone as we grow older...still socializing, but needing more time to rejuvenate from the effects of it. ;)
Posted by: Marilyn | 03 October 2006 at 15:40
great poem, tara!
you surely haven't gone all that way to drink in starbucks! don't they have those places where you drink red stuff out of goat skins? ;o)
Posted by: ian russell | 02 October 2006 at 17:19
Hope you're having fun in Seville. I loved this poem, whith it's references to thick and thin. If I remember correctly, you have beautiful skin..from that photo you posted. How's the espanol going?
Posted by: wendy | 02 October 2006 at 15:33
This was so beautiful Tara. Written so quickly, yet you take the reader on a trip back in time - and show us how it reflects on our skin. Beautiful.
Posted by: bella | 02 October 2006 at 05:48
Dearest Tara ... brilliant 15 minutes of inspiration. Love the connection between time, experience and skin in this poem. Brava.
Posted by: Deborah | 02 October 2006 at 03:45
Those last 3 lines are simply priceless-brilliantly true and wonderful. I hope you are having a wonderful, wonderful adventure there-!
Posted by: Alexandra | 02 October 2006 at 02:42
I enjoyed this poem...knowing that it was done in 15 minutes I am all the more impressed. Cheers.
Posted by: Mike | 02 October 2006 at 01:00
This is such a parallel for so many women. Well presented as usual!
Heartfelt too!
Posted by: giggles | 01 October 2006 at 22:29
Wonderful, I love the positive spirit that comes through in all your writing.
Posted by: verity writes | 01 October 2006 at 19:59
I love the vulnerability and honesty in this poem...the hope at the end is earned from experience. :)
And the writing of it seems almost as wonderful as the result...which is what we all want to happen, after all!
Posted by: Mardougrrl | 01 October 2006 at 19:13
I like this, and I love the artwork. Starbucks is always good for inspiration! I swear that place is magic!
Posted by: twitches | 01 October 2006 at 18:32
Great poem. I love the idea of sensitive skin being better than toughened skin.
Posted by: Bug | 01 October 2006 at 17:33
15 minutes? Your talent with words never ceases to amaze me. I have never cared too much for poems but yours I always read and like a lot. I especially like the bit about the skin becoming translucent, an image enhanced by the painting.
Posted by: Kerstin | 01 October 2006 at 16:35
I like the description of skin becoming almost translucent. There is a glow to skin even as we age. If we could just adjust to it, that would be something.
Posted by: commongal | 01 October 2006 at 13:14
Nice. A description of my skin some days, for sure.
Posted by: GoGo | 01 October 2006 at 10:28
Did you say 15 minutes??? Wow!
Posted by: Hundred and one | 01 October 2006 at 08:28
I've been thinking a lot lately about being happy despite the circumstances and experience of one's life. You have so many beautiful words within you, and I truly appreciate them! xoxo
Posted by: Maggie | 01 October 2006 at 04:04
Yes...there's always a choice. Glad is the favored one. Your experiences in Seville...priceless.
Posted by: Gemma | 01 October 2006 at 03:14
Hell of a fun poem for 15 minutes!
And Starbucks in Seville...That's funny in itself!
Posted by: Don | 01 October 2006 at 02:00
first draft? you're good. the first stanza especially affected me. the whole poem is like a map of your years. and it is stunning.
btw, i love this painting also. i don't think i've ever met anyone that had such similar taste in art as you.
Posted by: Jessie | 01 October 2006 at 01:31
skin sure is sensitive.
this is a lovely poem
Posted by: my backyard | 01 October 2006 at 01:19
I love the hope in the last line.
And I have to say, I'm amazed how many posts you have written in the last twelve hours since I last looked!
Posted by: Catherine | 01 October 2006 at 00:31
This makes me want to hug you! And sit and talk. There is much said in these words, that show me what a real woman you are. One I am happy to know.
:)
Posted by: Amber | 01 October 2006 at 00:07
Tara, I have finally had a chance to print out that origami display and will take it to the Japanese instructor next Thursday. Some of her students are also Japanese and I'm sure they will enjoy it. I'll let you know what they say.
You have such wonderful eye candy on your site, besides your writing. Always a pleasure to visit. judie
Posted by: artzyjudie | 30 September 2006 at 23:32
Time does sneak up on us, doesn't it, and with it those little reminders of some of the less than happy, healthy experiences of our lives. You have had so many varied and exciting experiences, you're rigth to be proud of those little badges, and wear them gladly!
Posted by: Becca | 30 September 2006 at 23:01
yes, to be glad is a choice and sometimes not the easiest one. i love the painting - at first i thought it was another favorite painter, robert ryman.
Posted by: kristen | 30 September 2006 at 20:52
wonderful image and words to accompany it!
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 30 September 2006 at 20:47
You have seen and lived more than many people and I'm glad for you that you have truly lived!!! I've seen you and you look great and if you have signs of aging wear them proud! XXOO Beautiful post! X XOO
Posted by: Tammy | 30 September 2006 at 20:26
I always enjoy your poems, Tara! You have such wonderful talent!
Posted by: Chelle | 30 September 2006 at 20:13