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hail mary
by Ava Bluit’s gotten difficult for him to pretend she isn’t there
the ambulance comes by every 3 hours or so just to intimidate him,
to mock his inability to keep her alive
she’ll grab pills, razor blades between her teeth, guns to her head;
he can’t seem to keep her locked up
she can see only dark clouds from her window
she can see the sun setting long before anyone else knows it’s becoming night
she knows how to pick the locks around her ankles
she knows how to jump through the bars on her door
in his drunken trance, he removed all of the buttons from her clothes
and he slept standing up
she took safety pins to her hair
she hid his keys
she stroked his beard
he lost his wishes to the priest on 32nd street
he was promised a warm bed and absolution
he was promised she’d be kept alive
this should be easier than it is
this should be the last time anyone sees them
he can only drink the lead from her lips
he can only see so far into the room
he can only bear witness to the caterpillars in the garden
she painted her nails with white-out
she plucked away every eyelash
and she ripped apart her favorite dress
there was always one song playing in his mind,
the only one to help him take the proper steps
and she was unable to hear it
she was buried in the floorboards and
she was wearing rings around her toes
she was lying down when he saw a flash outside
and he was running,
he was running to fight one more day
and she was dreaming of violins made of orchids
and she did not hear him running away.
04/27/2010 Author's Note:
"Hail the Redeemer, Lord Jesus,
By whose work
Death is defeated, for salvation
Has now overflowed upon all of the world.
Holy redeemer, our faith
Is reckoned to us sinners,
Now and in death, as righteousness."
Posted on 04/27/2010
Copyright © 2024 Ava Blu
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 04/27/10 at 07:37 PM There's a wonderful madness to this poem. Obviously that comes out of the imagery and voice. There's so much tragic, haunting, endlessly visuals that pile up throughout this. It's almost a little overwhelming. Then there's that voice. It's somehow different from almost anything I can recall reading of yours. I almost want to swear I've never you seen quite like this before. It reads as though the speaker is half in a dream and half in the midst of the most brutal nervous breakdown imaginable. One of your best. |
| Posted by Anita Mac on 04/28/10 at 02:26 AM Is it just me, or is there a touch of Mr. Ricard's narratives in here? I love it... This is so hectic and lovesick and unhealthy in all the best and worst ways. |
| Posted by Morgan D Hafele on 04/28/10 at 03:40 AM because i can't think of a better way to say it, like anita said, "so hectic and lovesick and unhealthy in all the best and worst ways" |
| Posted by Julie Adams on 04/28/10 at 08:56 AM I love the frantic and disturbed nature you captured in this piece, kudos to your craft...this piece, particularly the "floorboards" stanza, reminds me of a short story: The Yellow Wallpaper, although this poem is much more immediate and gripping...I applaud you once again, on the title, the content, the fervor, the imagery, and the measures you've used to construct it with such success! Peace n poems to u always, jewels xo |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 04/29/10 at 01:06 AM This is a scary, self-destructive place with these two bouncing off walls. "she painted her nails with white-out" - for some reason, this line says it all. A very compelling read. One wonders what comes next.
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| Posted by Beth K Hannah on 04/29/10 at 04:55 PM your work always pushes me to expand my brain and encompass everything you are trying to invoke. I read it, then walk away, then come back, and it can go on for a couple of days. This however, I must digest slower. |
| Posted by Tim J Bono on 05/06/10 at 07:05 AM Congrats on the POTD! A discernible piece from those who have been touched (plagued) by similar circumstance... |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 05/06/10 at 12:32 PM Congratulations on POTD for this piece Ava. It is very strong with impressive images. |
| Posted by Kristine Briese on 05/06/10 at 03:11 PM Ava, this is incredible. Leaves me speechless. |
| Posted by Shonda Creemer on 05/07/10 at 01:58 AM Congrats on POTD my sweet BD sister. You continuously amaze me with your words. *hugs* |
| Posted by Morgan D Hafele on 11/15/11 at 09:54 PM still! that is all. |
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