Silver and Saffron

Challenge: Write a poem inspired by a spice. (I chose "saffron.")

I must be clear:

He never touched me

In ways I did not let him.

Yet it always seemed that

He would leave me crushed

And crying out (on the inside)

For him to stop.

His lips would brush mine

In ways that felt forbidden, stolen -

Taken from me unwillingly,

Though I always returned them

However hesitatingly.

Even his hand upon mine

Felt wrong and made me

Weak, ashamed, but…

I never took my hand away.

The red dress in the corner

Was thrown there with reluctance,

But I had never truly protested

Or fought its placement there.

Surely, by not fighting, I said yes?

He gave me silver jewelry,

And acted like a gentleman,

Clasping every necklace for me,

But they hung like nooses.

When he left, I could see

Crushed saffron in his footsteps,

Broken petals who lost their voices

A long time ago.

Author's Note

Picture: http://ictenbey.deviantart.com/art/SILENCE-69243859

Reviews

[Antonio Valentino]

Footsteps of safron? Wow, does he know how much that stuff costs? :)

Like the exotic spice that went to waste, so did the redolence and zest of his mistreated mate. Precious herbs, and savories just like piquant paramours in our lives are delicate, and need to be handled with respect, and a gentle touch.

Being a chef I thought this poem was going to about the actual spice, nevertheless, I wasn't disappointed by the least bit. You're poem was seasoned just right, and simmered to perfection.

Loved it!
Antonio

[Naomi Montana Walsh]

I totally love the metaphor of necklaces and nooses I really liked your style not too light or too harsh just right.

[Johnny Inanis]

i don't know how i found this poem but i'm really, really glad i did. the uncertainty, the sense of violation with a hint of responsibility, the painful well expressed images make this a sad and powerful poem.

[deeps]

This is a powerful write, full of emotion
Wonderfully expressed!

[Holly-Marie]

I thought this was wonderful. Beautifully dramatic. The last two lines really stood out to me. Very thought provoking.

[w]

This was beautiful. And a feeling I've struggled a lot with. There is a stigma placed on relationships, intimacy, sex... each one invokes a different feeling. But rarely are they good ones.
You need to understand yourself, your body, your feelings. You need to understand what you want, what you don't want, and why you do or don't. The relationship you're describing was missing something for you. Or perhaps it just wasn't giving enough. But to know that, you have to know yourself above all.
Find peace there, and finding peace with another person becomes much easier.

The poem itself was involved, but never breaching on overwhelming. Very lovely.
Best wishes,
Edie

[Lady Lazarus.]

Broken petals who lost their voices
A long time ago.

a beautiful stanza....such a fantastic engrossing read that hits anyone thats been in real painful hurtful love right at the core...love never is all sugar and spice.

[The Analog Kid]

Love the line: "Clasping every necklace for me, But they hung like nooses." Straightforward, yet through the story-telling, there is sorrow.

Patrick

[there is no more from m..]

amazing poem :)

[JustWantLove]

Ironic perception; what's written here is alive in my universe just as vividly. True and concrete; silent screams tremble the soul. Good work!