The Bleeding Edge

For this summer, I'll travel to new places,
explore deserts, rivers, and mountains.
I'll let the wind be my guide, floating like a dandelion on waves of air.
I'll broaden my horizons, and know that when I return home,
I'll have his arms to return to.

For this introduction, I'll be someone I've never been,
try on a new face, assume new mannerisms.
This old face is fine, but the one person who has
seen the real me is miles away. I'll be the
ear to the musician, the tongue to the aspiring chef.
And when I return to the South,
I'll tear off my mask and rest in his arms.

For this hike, I'll be a follower.
I'll listen to his instructions, place my feet where the guide
directs them. I'll keep with his pace, and reach the peak.
We'll celebrate our ascent with wine and cheese,
and a kiss on the cheek to reward my efforts.
I'll blush with quiet shame,
remembering the embrace of the man
who is patiently waiting for me to return.

For this evening, I'll wear my best dress.
I'll make myself up and wear contact lenses,
though I much prefer glasses. I'll let my guide
lead me in dance, swing me to and fro, and I'll
rest my head on his firm chest. I'll accept his offerings
of beverages and whispers in my ear. I'll take him home
and guide him through my mountains and valleys,
let his lips take me to peaks I've not yet achieved.

For this year, I'll be a hermit.
I'll lock myself in and avoid the prying eyes of
those who know what I've committed. I'll attack those
who criticize me, tell me I've thrown something
beautiful away. I'll use my masks to evade their hate-speech.
I'll wink and blush, hide behind hiccups and giggles.
I'll become restless, remembering the embrace of those once
loving arms, holding me while I slept.

Author's Note

This is a little bit of an experiment. I feel like I've settled into a specific rhythm and form and I wanted to try something new. Most everything I write tends to be from my own point of view, so I changed perspective from mine to that of someone else. I'm curious to know how this experiment worked out. Writing this out gave me some insights into my friends life, but I want to know how it comes across as a work of poetry. Please, be brutal!

Reviews

[shallimarRose]

This kind of traveled all over the place for me Ryan. It reads almost like a series of new years resolutions. I'm not saying its not good or its not poetry because it is but I felt a disconnect in some of the stanzas...
However.. Stanza four I think has the makings of a lovely poem in itself..

For this evening,
I'll wear my best dress
make myself up"
I'll let him guide me,
lead me in dance,
swing me to and fro,
I'll rest my head on his firm chest.
accept his offerings of beverages
and whispers in my ear.
I'll take him home
guide him through
mountains and valleys,
and let his lips take me
to peaks I've not yet achieved.

Very nice .. shallimarRose