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Sympathy's Miserable Bid
by Alison McKenzieI have feelings about my life
That aren’t always supported by reality;
Memories of how things were
That, given my frames of reference
At the time,
May or may not be accurate.
Ah, but the cuts are deep,
And scar tissue so thick –
I am one tough biscuit
On the outside.
Imaginary knives
(composed of tongue and phrase)
Have a solid reputation of
Slicing just as effectively
As the honed blades
Sheathed in someone else’s sleeve.
If you should happen upon
My hemorrhaged frame,
Don’t bother calling 9-1-1.
I bleed for effect.
And should the loud laments
Rouse you
From your otherwise soundless sleep,
Don’t call my mother.
She doesn’t live here anymore.
05/08/2011 Posted on 05/08/2011
Copyright © 2024 Alison McKenzie
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Charlie Morgan on 05/08/11 at 04:33 PM ...a righteous plea; i silently applaud you for saying so many things that [too] live in meheart. |
| Posted by E. A. Pugh on 05/08/11 at 05:06 PM A+ TY, terrific write! |
| Posted by Dani Rose on 05/08/11 at 11:24 PM Wow. "I bleed for effect." This was a fantastic read. The last stanza hits hard and is the perfect ending. |
| Posted by Julie Adams on 05/10/11 at 01:45 PM How this piece develops into a deep flesh wound of sorts, a microcosm, open, vulnerable, pumping with raw life...kudos poet, peace, jewels |
| Posted by Ken Harnisch on 05/10/11 at 05:38 PM I have no doubt you are one tough biscuit, Alison...but I also empathize deeply with the words, "I bleed for effect." Simply marvelous poetry! |
| Posted by Maria Massarella on 05/11/11 at 10:35 PM it takes courage to bleed so and word it in an excellent, powerful poem ... lovelight*peace |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 05/12/11 at 12:20 AM I like how this builds to a crescendo right from the beginning down to those last two imaginate, original, and brilliant stazas. My mother doesn't live here anymore either. |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 05/13/11 at 01:50 AM There is such a cry here. I especially like the ambiguity of the first stanza and that line "I bleed for effect". |
| Posted by Elizabeth Jill on 05/13/11 at 06:10 PM heart-wrenching, Alison |
| Posted by Kristine Briese on 05/14/11 at 04:15 AM Beautiful and subtle; an excellent piece of writing. |
| Posted by Sandy M. Humphrey on 05/16/11 at 03:08 PM Powerful from first line to last..excellent. |
| Posted by Morgan D Hafele on 05/18/11 at 10:09 AM "Don’t bother calling 9-1-1.
I bleed for effect." my favorite lines in this amazing piece! |
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