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Paper Moon

by Therese Elaine

Seems nobody ever told you
That itÂ’s always a paper moon
Cut it
Anyway you
Want it
But the fragility
DoesnÂ’t wane
Despite all your best
Intentions.
Seems nobody ever told you
That the Lady in the paper moon
Is only
A fragile
Phantom
SheÂ’s a ghost
ThatÂ’ll never haunt you
Despite all your honest
Invitations.
SheÂ’ll leave you
Unopened.
Unreturned.
Unrequited.

Because sheÂ’s got no use
For penny wishes
When sheÂ’s made of
Silver dreams.
And itÂ’s funny how you never noticed
That part of her is missing
Most of the time.
Seems nobody ever told you
That itÂ’s always a paper moon
It will
Bend, burn up
Blow away
Always barely
Out of reach
Despite all your nicest
Persuasions.

12/06/2007

Author's Note: For R -who insists on learning things the hard way...over and over again.

Posted on 12/07/2007
Copyright © 2024 Therese Elaine

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 12/07/07 at 04:06 AM

I'm kind of the same way. Hard hitting stuff. I really liked it.

Posted by Julie Adams on 12/07/07 at 02:46 PM

I just saw this piece on the recently posted and liked the title...glad it invited me in, it was a pleasure...your wordplay slides in, soft and supple as skin...line development is well crafted...loved: "...she’s got no use/ For penny wishes/ When she’s made of/ Silver dreams." ...This is a favorite of mine from first read...peace, *jewels*

Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 12/10/07 at 07:15 PM

Excellent personification here. You make your point quite clearly; maybe even an alternate version that ends on the lines That part of her is missing Most of the time.

Posted by Kathleen Wilson on 12/13/07 at 03:40 PM

Amazing image, I can feel it happen... the "Bend, burn up/Blow away". This is a precious, almost unbelievable moment... it is unforgettable, and multi-leveled in meaning. (Especially since the moon does its own origami in its phases... and does disappear completely...) Just beautiful. The "penny" and "silver" of it powers the contrast. In my favorites.

Posted by Richard Paez on 01/29/10 at 02:28 AM

I was inspired to write a similar poem not too long ago, it does not compare to this. The image of the paper moon and the lady that is (not really) found there is perfect for your purpose – I swear I have seen neon signs holding out promises of (temporary, unfulfilling) paper ladies perched upon (false, fragile) paper moons (and if I haven't in actuality, this poem jumped the synaptic gaps between similar images and yours strongly enough to create a memory). In any case, and in your distinctly female (if not dainty feminine) voice, this poem captures the folly in every man's obsession with the girl next door / dancer on the stage / woman not his own. Best of all is the tone – most would have written this mockingly or bitterly; you manage to maintain a voice that is disappointed yet still empathic, retaining your humanity. As always, thanks for sharing....

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