Forever With the Mockingbird

My contribution to the pantheon of mockingbird poems. Please read author notes

This poem has moved. Be sure to click on the youtube link below to read and listen:)

Audio at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP3EodGw_iE

Published in Strays. Available on Amazon.

Strays is a collection of two extended narratives and more than forty love-themed poems, exploring the meaning of romantic love while we have it and attempting to find the healing after its loss. Found within these pages is the short story Gutter Dog, the novelette Ginni, and the poems False Skin, the Boy Who Wore Clothes, and the Black-Wit Reveller.

Author's Note

This piece was composed quite awhile ago. At the time, I believed that another had denied me romantic love, obviously as the content above would suggest, I felt my due. By certain measures this individual did indeed behave badly, leading one along the garden path so to speak, ending our relationship because of a more easily recognizable pull of ego. But I realize now, he was no more guilty of ego than I. I thought he might somehow fulfil me. The second stanza represents this, the laying of one bare so the other can heal you. An impossible thing to ask from another human being and he fled. Who could blame him, really? But still, I did not give over to what was and I waited him out. He won. Tears to shards, I created my own suffering again by not accepting what was. So as the title would suggest the joke really was on me, but not for the reason I thought. The last stanza has now taken on entirely different meaning. I assure you, It is not my heart that is lost and forgotten. And it's not him either.

Reviews

[TL Boehm]

I laid out my heart
In a finger-boned bowl
Feathered breast-plate smashed
You wanted only flesh
Torn shreds of bared loin

This above is surreal and graphic and formidably penned. A stellar metaphor for baring a soul. the rest of the poem is just as strong but that image will stay with me.

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you, Tammy. That stanza is my favourite too.

[TL Boehm]

I laid out my heart
In a finger-boned bowl
Feathered breast-plate smashed
You wanted only flesh
Torn shreds of bared loin

This above is surreal and graphic and formidably penned. A stellar metaphor for baring a soul. the rest of the poem is just as strong but that image will stay with me.

[Benita-Staebell M - Kin..]

Hmm... pain can be quite inspiring.


Mockingbirds are beautiful as well.


thank you for sharing your thoughts
and feelings and this creative write
and Jon and I appreciate your kind review
and comment you left.


I enjoyed reading this as well.


Blessings. Benita/ kindred poet

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you, Benita.

[Benita-Staebell M - KindredPoet]

you're welcome. was a pleasure to read. Blessings. Benita/ kindred poet

[Pryde Foltz]

Love in general is something so elusive and mysterious, beautiful, but also dark, it is a thing, we humans, shall never be finished talking about, or living without, it's around you and it can leave you, it's like the wind, and weather, it can change, and its unpredictable. You convey this mystery so well here Pryde. The mockingbird, I see as a special angel, in between the two here.

Excellent.

- Elisa -xx-

[Pryde Foltz]

Thanks Elisa. The mockingbird as an angel … yeah, I can see that, but my can some deliverance hurt:)

[Diana]

Beautiful. So much complexity to this... I really think this is the kind of poem that could take on different forms of meaning at different life stages.

[Pryde Foltz]

Very kind. Thank you, Diana.

[Brittany Zedalis]

╰☆╮I love that you used a mockingbird. Wonderful work.╰☆╮

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you, Brittany.

[Persona]

I like that you've explained your poem to make the most of its depth and your message. The in 'a nest warmed' line was really good.

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you, persona.

[Lydia Shutter]

It is a wise and honest person who knows more than one individual is to blame when a relationship goes bad. Such a mature outlook in this introspective write, Pryde. I enjoyed it. Lydi**

[Pryde Foltz]

Always the truth. Thank you, Lydi**.

[John Anderson]

quite thought-provoking. A well written poem

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you, John.

[Lyn Anderson]

It is always easier to ponder our love after the fact. In the moment, it is so raw we feel justified in feeling we were wronged -- which, sometimes we are, but it still takes two -- what an amazing note to go with this poem, full of self awareness and introspection. A wonderful addition to the piece.

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you, KL. I think you summed it up wonderfully. I usually leave my poems open for interpretation but a little self-reflection never hurt any:)