My Phantom

Hello my dear phantom...

My Phantom

by alice oiseau

*

My phantom and I meet once more

These gifts I explore.

But come night, they are dead-

My ribbons; it's in the thread

where they turn to ash

and where my thoughts clash.

*

How many times will I be awakened!

I grow tired of this quest

I am ready to rest...

But these angels tug

on what's left of this heart,

Thus I cannot part

with this life, nor my phantom.

*

Even if my phantom be fleeting

And even if my heart be weeping

The falsity of it all

Is what stops me from the fall.

Go ahead and play

For it will brings gifts today.

*

As the rain tumbles,

My walls crumble.

Turning numb,

what have I become?

I dared to wander,

Dared to defy my phantom.

But I went too far...

Now I'm alone and lacking the stars.

*

This life withers

These ribbons slither

Thus I tie them tightly

So they won't leave.

But in the end

The strength I've weaved,

The landmines planted round my heart,

The closed gates to my mind,

No longer does it matter

for these wings are tattered.

*

Though the games and gifts

make me smile,

The after taste be vile.

Ambivalent as to whether I miss my phantom or not.

For I only ask these ribbons to be real,

Something tangible, with a silky feel.

But perhaps,

I wasn't meant for such a life.

Perhaps,

I deserve ribbons of the greatest sorrow...

*

I tell my phantom to not leave

Or else I cannot breathe.

And with a cold smile

I am given one last gift of ribbons.

But come night, they are dead-

My ribbons; it's in the thread

where they turn to ash

and where my thoughts clash.

 

 

 

Author's Note

There's at least one hundred ways of looking at this poem. For this particular poem, I believe it's practically impossible to know what I'm referring to.
That being said, if you wish to take a stab at interpretation, be my guest. I appreciate all thoughts.
Cheers.

Reviews

[Honeypot]

Woman, you are amazing! As I was reading this is reminded me of Edgar Allan Poe's poetry. It had a wonderful flow and the rhyming was perfect in my opinion. I always like to pick out my favorite parts and for me I loved the 3rd stanza. The whole poem has a beautiful, haunting quality to it.

The ribbons are very interesting. In some places they reminded me of tokens given by maidens in the middle ages, but in this instance they weren't accepted and turned to represent something darker and slightly sinister. I'll keep giving them some thought.

You did good on this one Alice. Just like always!

[Markymark]

I (probably) wrongly interpret the ribbons as hope against reality. Trying in vain to make something reality. But I also feel (don't get mad) a slight mood of sensuality from the piece for some reason. I am horrible, arguably the worse person in the universe at decyphering abstraction. They're like soduku puzzles to me, I am not good at them. I do love your writing style though.

Markymark

[The High Poet]

I won't take an stab at interpretation but I will tell you that I enjoyed it very much :) That being said I am going to read some more of your work :)

[hiralarious]

Hm. I just think of a dead lover as the phantom.. and maybe the ribbons as her facade...
I don't know exactly, but it's a good piece.. it sounds pretty. (:
It's one of those things you can sit in english class and analyze XD.
LOVE YOU.
- Hira.

[Suhcej]

I still wonder what the ribbons represent in this poem.
It has a nice sound to it, the words coming through my mouth as I read,
I find it meaningless, yet important, it teaches nothing, but shows us something important, willing to be heard, maybe something hidden in your heart or thoughts?
I enjoyed your writing, I will surely enjoy finding a meaning for it.
keep writing

Demeter Suhcej