Cured by Kristine BrieseMy myriad illnesses climbed with me
to this plateau. Weve been sitting here,
helpless and whining, for nearly a year.
One, two, count them, thirteen different
pills a day to wake me up, to calm me down.
Within this crawling, crippling day
I hear a sound: a deep, fulfilling roar,
a far-off sea coming closer, tidal
in its approach, retreat, and approach.
Along with it comes you, rhythmic and unjudging.
This, then, is how I find a world
outside my sickness, a world with no pills,
no panic, no disembodied voices, a world
where softness and femininity are not crimes,
where you hold out your arms to welcome me.
Unchained from my reservations, I mold myself
against you, fall to my knees to explore
the sea-salt folds of what Ive never known.
And here, in the oceanic realm of your
mythical womanhood, I finally find my cure.
10/16/2003 Author's Note: You know who you are.
Posted on 10/16/2003 Copyright © 2024 Kristine Briese
Member Comments on this Poem |
Posted by Rachelle Howe on 10/16/03 at 06:23 PM WHOA! DAMN. *BLINKBLINK.* WELL DONE! *cracking up.* JESUS, woman. at first, i was all, "wait, where's the explicit part..." but then it uh, hit me like an orgasm, for lack of better reference. *GRIN* ROCK. |
Posted by Aaron Blair on 10/16/03 at 06:40 PM I think you handled this very beautifully and tastefully. That last stanza, especially. |
Posted by Don Coffman on 10/17/03 at 02:44 AM It's subtle, the metaphor doesn't come out and grab you at all and might not even be noticable to most if not for the title. Simply amazing language and flow. |
Posted by Melina Raven Maness Diebold on 10/17/03 at 05:48 AM Lucious! That's all I can say...lucious. |
Posted by Christina Gleason on 10/17/03 at 12:32 PM what a beautiful extended metaphor and wonderful end to the piece. also, the first stanza is superb, your voice is the perfect complement to the content. |
Posted by Lori Johnson on 10/17/03 at 02:34 PM ...anybody got a light? I need a cigarette! LOL
*whew*
I am flushed, indeed. Tastefully done, Kristine. (no pun intended) LOL |
Posted by Ginette T Belle on 10/17/03 at 03:20 PM rare perfection...i am in awe of your talent... |
Posted by Karen Koser on 10/18/03 at 10:47 PM Wow. This is so beautiful. I enjoyed every second reading it. |
Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 10/20/03 at 06:15 PM Simply beautiful! I enjoyed this very much. Haunting reminders of my son and even myself at certain stages in my life. |
Posted by Michele Schottelkorb on 12/07/03 at 03:15 AM wow, now i'll say, that has GOT to be better than any prescibed medication... excellent and tasteful... blessings... |
Posted by Rachelle Howe on 07/26/04 at 12:04 AM i'm dropping by again. just thinking, and wondering where you are. this piece brings it back, eh? ;) |
Posted by Rachelle Howe on 08/21/04 at 03:53 AM i visited this yet again about a month ago. i'm forever floored by it, darling mine. we simply don't talk enough, these days. don't let the ghosts come calling.
and these arms will always be open, for a soul like yours. |
Posted by S. Pelham Flood on 10/29/04 at 05:20 AM Simply beautiful. I've read hundreds of poems on here so far, but only this one has taken my breath away. I love the metaphor. |
Posted by Steven Kenworthy on 11/26/05 at 08:34 AM i stumbled into this by chance and about fell off of my chair. so powerful & invigorating. i consider myself difficult to tempt, but i'm definitely intrigued. beautiful words...a graphic moment painted with a french impressionist brush. i loved it. |
Posted by Laura Doom on 05/30/07 at 09:48 AM I am rarely speechless... |
Posted by Lori Blair on 01/05/12 at 08:43 PM just lovely Kristine..sometimes our biggest miracles are not found in pills for what might ails us..loved it! |
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