Until Alexander

Until Alexander,

think of it like that, a switch to turn off.

God only knows for how long.

When they share their dreams

that is when you need to beware of falling.

That's where it will all begin, you know

and it will sneak up on you.

when they trust you with dreams and tears

friendship and love

will teeter on a dangerous line 

An invisible line you have to stand behind,

a sure but uncertain danger in your arms 

waving on a tight rope.

The best way through any trauma

is to subject yourself to that trauma

repeatedly; 

until it becomes numb, 'till it stops

 dragging you back into itself;

much like the knees of a Beluga whale

would send sailors into the sea.

'Till you become so bored 

with your pain that you turn from it and yawn,

for God only knows how long, but

for as long as it takes.

'Till they will leave you with no recourse

but to turn away.

Reviews

[h d e rushin]

it's like that tale from Greek Mythology where Procne got violently raped by Tereus who then tore out her tongue to keep her from telling. So with the son she bore from the rape she killed, boiled and served to Threus for his supper. Then asked the Gods to spare her from his rathe, so they turned her into a swallow:

"the best way through any trauma
is to subject yourself to that trauma repeatedly;
until it becomes numb,
until it stops dragging you
back into itself"/

sometimes pain invariably becomes revenge which is a more ruthless name
for boredom......great poem....dana

[Corset]

I can't wait to retire and do your reviews up proper, the play on the name "swallow" as he most unwitting "swallowed" his child seems fitting at the same time Im thinking to be a swallow would hardly be a punishment for the crime of boiling the child, ah...the wings of freedom and God looks after the swallows, my second thought... I'm wondering if that is where the saying "revenge is a dish best served cold" came from?

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello dear Corset.
"'Till you become so bored
with your pain that you turn from it and yawn,
for God only knows how long, but
for as long as it takes.

'Till they will leave you with no recourse
but to turn away."
The above. Maybe can be? Time and great distance is the healer. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Corset]

thanks, Coyote. So nice to see you.

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello dear friend and you are welcome dear Corset.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"subject yourself to the trauma until you become numb to it"
that has to be the worst on the male ego....to have the woman be numb to the pain, to just reach a point of not feeling or caring...and that is when she has him...the tables turn.
And he is too nervous to order dessert.
powerful piece, Corset.
j.

[Corset]

Not real sure about that technique myself, but saw it recently on a Netflix series and tada! Thank you, J. for your constant support!

[Einstein Noodle]

wow... so much going on in "Until Alexander" ... reading it again right now ... from the perspective of a woman's voice what strikes me first is her power in this situation... it is usually the man who draws a woman in .. teetering her on that line of trust .. but here you have the woman who is detached .. worried if she allows those stories and tears to be heard and held by her .. she may just have to break his foolish heart .. she is a siren ...a sailors mermaid .. (love that) he'll throw himself into the deeps for her .. i just can't agree with V3's solution of visiting and revisiting trauma in order to become numb .. that's why we drink, get drunk, take drugs or use sex ... to become numb and forget the pain that never ceases; taking that course. ;) she should just put a stop to him right away says i! save everyone time and hurt ;) love the pic .. wonderful poem that, for me, displays women's power .. great stuff Corset! glad i did not miss this one.
E.

[Corset]

Hi Einstein! Thank you for your kind words and for stopping in to say hello!