Hand-carved Islamic designs in a wooden paravent, Paris. The picture (below) is of an open doorway leading to a corridor, Mosquee de Paris. Photos by Jordana Shalhoub.
For the Writers Island prompt "haunted," a poem about a man haunted by a decision made years ago that he has yet to put right. Will he seek redemption?
For N.
Your biggest fear
should be your fiercest pride;
why are you afraid of the truth?
One day you must face her
and all these years of lies and avoidance
can't keep that moment from happening.
One bad decision at age 36
has haunted you
since you walked away.
One love resulting in a baby
you chose to ignore,
rather than face your family's wrath.
One terrible moment when
you took the wrong turn
and couldn't find your way back.
One hastily-arranged marriage
that your mother plotted
can't change the facts:
one year you loved someone
but were too scared to stay,
so you settled for less.
One big responsibility,
leaving a young woman on her own
to be strong enough for two.
One weak man
as stubborn as the stone walls
that surround your heart.
One selfish choice you now regret,
but don't know how to fix
requires just one simple step;
one act of courage
to finally take the high road
and do the right thing.
One meeting when you gaze
at a face so familiar
you wonder how you survived
one single day
without having this bright spirit
an important part of your life.
One momentous occasion
if she chooses to forgive
your unforgivable absence.
One instance you can look in the mirror
and not have to lie,
even to yourself.
One peaceful interlude
you're no longer haunted
by plaintive echoes of the past.
Well, if I knew where my son's father was, I'd send this to him. If he only knew what he had missed these last 13 years--the greatest treasure a life can bestow.
Posted by: anahata in ashland | 03 November 2007 at 02:50
This is a seriously powerful piece of art.
Posted by: Gimme A Dream | 31 October 2007 at 23:26
I can't even tell you you how much I was moved by this. One wrong move...
Posted by: gautami | 31 October 2007 at 15:12
Paris.
Such a nice and different take on the prompt.
I really liked the way it ended.
Posted by: Rambler | 31 October 2007 at 14:10
Tara, that's a very powerful poem. Beautifully said. I've been so behind in reading blogs--just caught up on 67 of your posts! I hope you'll forgive me for not commenting on each one. ;) All of your lovely poems...and that wonderful photo essay for Blog Action Day...and those hats at Longchamp! But we didn't see yours...or did I miss it? My mother would have swooned over those pictures of Omar Sharif. ;) Lastly, thank you for your sweet, generous comments on my poetry blog--always appreciated.
Posted by: Marilyn | 31 October 2007 at 12:24
Very intense poem ... if people would only go more by their heart than reason
Posted by: Fenny | 31 October 2007 at 11:00
I feel so bad for N.You have expressed it so well.It requires enormous courage.But I do hope he finds redemption.
Posted by: Ps | 31 October 2007 at 09:00
Oh Tara, that is wonderful writing, so poignant, you can't help but feel for N's all too human frailty while wishing fervently that he will find the strength of character to right his wrong.
Posted by: Robin | 31 October 2007 at 07:24
there is nothing I can add- all the comments are what I think...
Posted by: simon | 31 October 2007 at 06:14
Ah. Your words are powerful and raw, tender, touching and universally personal.
Posted by: Tumblewords | 31 October 2007 at 04:36
a very familiar poem; it set my little heart pitter patting with a surge of anger, frustration, unsaid words. Most don't think they are wrong; most truly believe they are a victim... of course I know I am singing to the choir.
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 31 October 2007 at 02:56
So often we are just one step away from redemption arent' we? And yet, we allow ourselves to simmer in a sea of regret.....one that can flood our lives with a feeling of never really being able to find solace and inner peace.
Beautiful and truly haunting Tara. Like some of the others, I am drawn to wondering how this man lives with such a life altering decision.....
love to you......and your beautiful daughter. xo
Posted by: awareness | 31 October 2007 at 01:23
I have a lump in my throat, so I don't know what to say.
xox
Posted by: Colette | 31 October 2007 at 00:23
Absolutely beautiful Tara. A wrong decision can have a huge impact on life and people, being haunted forever by it.
Posted by: marja | 30 October 2007 at 23:32
Haunted is certainly filtering all through this poignant poem. I love reading anything you write!
Posted by: Pam Aries | 30 October 2007 at 23:32
Haunted is certainly filtering all through this poignant poem. I love reading anything you write!
Posted by: Pam Aries | 30 October 2007 at 23:32
Oh my, Tara. How deeply personal and so full of truth. Heart-wrenching for sure but I think a good end was had by the women left behind.
Posted by: AnnieElf | 30 October 2007 at 23:06
I recently watched a friend try to find his birth parents....his father....we can call him N, was never located, but he has developed a lovely relationship with his birth mother.
Posted by: stephanie | 30 October 2007 at 20:55
It does come down to the one thing, etc., doesn't it?
Posted by: Mary t. | 30 October 2007 at 20:54
for n??
powerful tara!! looking into a mirror...familiar, déja vu!
Posted by: marita | 30 October 2007 at 20:11
Very strong, very evocative...and always in life...it comes down to "one moment"...
Posted by: Cherie | 30 October 2007 at 19:43
Absolutely beautiful. Regret can haunt the mind forever
Posted by: Mark Papale | 30 October 2007 at 19:32
wow, that was chilling. There are SO many men And women who can relate to this poem.
That kind of haunting is beyond scary. thanks Tara. :)
Posted by: lucy | 30 October 2007 at 19:31
Oh am I speechless.
What a difficult thing to do, abandon a child. Children, are innocent, and the child needs the involvement of both parents, whether they are together or not.
I have no doubts that "N" is haunted by this decision. Sometimes, a little encouragement to do the right thing may be all it takes. "N" should free himself; he is likely in a self-imposed prison of thought with regards to this girl, and meeting her may set things right.
I am a firm believer that it is never too late to right a wrong.
xo
Gillian
Posted by: Gillian @ Indigo Blue | 30 October 2007 at 18:10
This poem has something to teach us all.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | 30 October 2007 at 17:50
Tara, this is powerful. Very powerful. I read, wanting to understand this person...because I know someone in similar shoes. Your poem...oh, it captures so much that is difficult to capture.
Posted by: Jessie | 30 October 2007 at 15:27
How beautiful Tara, choices are so important in life and the wrong ones haunt us for the rest of our lives. Redemption is so difficult, if only one could see the happiness gained afterward, it would be so much easier. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: UL | 30 October 2007 at 14:13
Life would be so much easier if men were not too proud... Vida x
Posted by: Vida | 30 October 2007 at 13:52
This is a fierce poem, Tara. Sometimes those wrong choices can haunt us forever.
Very meaningful.
Posted by: Becca | 30 October 2007 at 13:49
Wow, an emotionally intense piece Miss Parfait, especially the lines below:
One bad decision at age 36
has haunted you
since you walked away.
One love resulting in a baby
you chose to ignore,
rather than face your family's wrath
Posted by: cathy | 30 October 2007 at 13:43
Makes me cry.
I hope N will be able to meet his daughter again!
A prayer for healing and a prayer to be set free!
In one way or another we have all felt like N.
in our lives.
Posted by: rochambeau | 30 October 2007 at 13:36
Sorry to use the word again, but it really is touching! Once again the journey to your site was more than worthwhile
Posted by: keith hillman | 30 October 2007 at 13:16
Wonderful poem and very touching ..the heavy weight of others cultures and family ...
Posted by: le petit cabinet de curiosites | 30 October 2007 at 12:15
So beautiful and touching Tara!
Posted by: Catalina | 30 October 2007 at 12:01