Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Pause for Reflection



The image she kept of herself: sophisticated
elegance, hair swept in perfumed grace, nails
groomed pink clinking against the drink glass,
ice winking from clear blue eyes.

Who she was: the drunk in dirty overalls,
flirty beauty long gone, slurring stories long on
lies, interrupting herself with "Excuse me,"
before puking inside her garment bib.


Written (with gratitude for we women who have attained sobriety) for two writing prompts:

1) Photo Challenge #68, Pause at MindLoveMisery's Menagerie.
Note: Image by wallpaperswide.com

2) 55 words for Flash 55 Plus at imaginary garden with real toads

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am not able to open Mister Linky in the Photo Prompt so you might want to leave a link in the comments encase because I wouldn't want anyone to miss this.

Congrats on achieving sobriety that is no small feat. Growing up with an alcoholic parent and being part Cherokee I just thought don't drink the odds are stacked too high. You paint such a vivid portrayal of the woman in the portrait, honest and powerful.

Unknown said...

"hair swept in perfumed grace"
"ice winking from clear blue eyes."

I love those lines. Beautiful piece.

Lydia said...

Thanks mindlovemisery for the tip on the link. Not sure what I did wrong, but will leave a comment as you suggest!

susan said...

It's a wonderful poem. Getting sober was a radically creative act. Many congratulations.

ps: I gave up smoking last winter.

secretfragileskies said...

Beautiful and brave.

Susie Clevenger said...

Reality holds so many harsh truths. Amazing capture of how one can view self.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Very well done. Written with passion that is felt by the reader. And the clarity now gathered.

brudberg said...

A truth for many.. there is always a hope for sobriety.

grapeling said...

whew. powerful ~

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