Home

Cured

by Kristine Briese

My myriad illnesses climbed with me
to this plateau. We’ve 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 I’ve 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!

Return to the Previous Page
 

pathetic.org Version 7.3.2 May 2004 Terms and Conditions of Use 0 member(s) and 2 visitor(s) online
All works Copyright © 2024 their respective authors. Page Generated In 0 Second(s)