She'd Rather Be

autobiographical . . .

Guess she’d rather be in Escondido
where a gleam of crescent moon smiles
stealthy sentinels rise from rock piles
hiding out from reckless crocodiles
as piquant traces pique her wily libido.

Guess she’d rather be in wild environs
where warm bubbles fuel her soul flame
upsurges sustain this tempestuous dame
no longer stifled by the collective shame
never again to be tethered in mood irons.

Guess she’d rather be in wild Ventana
where noble oaks don mossy dresses
fluid dolphin draft caresses
wild wonders intrigue all poetesses
the chaparral snaps with fragrant manna.

Guess she’d rather do her essence solo
though many feel as if they’ve met her
and one torn man can never forget her
still almost nobody ever really gets her
as she drifts away on a mystic rainbow.

Author's Note

Photo: Arroyo Seco river, about 2 miles from where I live
(NOT the Arroyo Seco in southern California).

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

she would rather be with herself...at this point...if nobody gets her, then being alone seems the best..Emily Dickinson was reclusive for mostly the same reasons....her friends couldn't keep up with her, didn't get her...
she was better off in her autonomy....she ruled her own world...as you do yours, and with such elegance of language.
j.

[barleygirl]

This review is so startling, I realized I had not yet had my first cup of coffee this morning, thus I could not find words! Now that I've got my warm cup at hand, I must say, this is the MOST anyone has ever gotten me in a long time. The comparison to Emily is just pie-in-the-sky frosting! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Margie... the longer you live... it is more difficult
to connect with people. You do not want to disturb their soul.
and ruffle their feathers. So you are content to study the wild
and learn to find peace with your own feelings and experience.
I wear feathers in my hair and study the birds. truly, Pat

[barleygirl]

You have taught me to use birds to make my point in more interesting ways. Here's a passage from my upcoming book that I wrote with you (& your love of birds) in mind:
Meg peels her coverup in a striptease as all eyes zero in on her sculpted curves, spilling melons, and that hypnotic crimson crotch-vee. As Donnie pulls his t-shirt over his head, all eyes stick momentarily on his massive rack of bulges. He fawns and flexes, innocently shaking off the stress of a day’s work. Ailani unbuttons his Hawaiian shirt and all eyes marvel at how his thick black rug sparkles under the waning afternoon rays. A hundred blackbirds chirp their enchantment on high, squawking ebony clusters among the tall palms, flapping the whiskery fronds to rustle up everybody’s bliss.
(((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Anjeline]

Wonderfully written dear Margie. I really loved the language and the feminine touch of the poem. I also liked the way you started lines with "guess" and the use of - mystic rainbow, fragrant manna, wild ventana and many others. So in short I absolutely loved and enjoyed reading it.

[barleygirl]

Thank you for an enthusiastic & thoughtful review! Maybe the feminine aspect was pumped up since we have been experiencing the "beaver moon" as I was thinking & writing this! (beaver being a symbol of femininity, as is grandmother moon to the native americans). Thanks again for a great share (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[LauraKate]

No-one could quite reach her, could they? Some thought they did, which is only disheartening in the end. Or perhaps she feels like she never really found her tribe. Aloof, on her own page, but as a dear loved one often tells me - 'I'm in my own world, it's okay, they know me there'.

Her own page/world is colourful and vivid. Sounds like a far better place to be.
With warmest wishes to you Margie, I enjoyed this so much.
Laura

[barleygirl]

"I'm in my own world" is kinda like my theme song. I sent you a private msg to illustrate! Love this review. You are telling me you've walked in my moccasins (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[andrew mitchell]

The message is clear be yourself and not a chameleon or someone else to appease others while sacrificing yourself.

[barleygirl]

I was so immersed in my own ideas, I never thought to consider this in a wider context! I love your bigger interpretation! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Eilis]

Who knows us better than ourselves. Just saying that, actually, I realize a lot of times people share insights about me that I hadn’t recognized. My greatest insight about myself is that I like to daydream more than is healthy. And therefore miss what’s right in front of me.

But your reflections here offer such depth of self understanding. I love this, Margie. Your confidence and self-knowledge are inspiring. And your independent spirit is something I also admire about you. Here, crafted among the moon and trees.

The wildness and invoking of the beautiful surrounding landscape is such a nice touch as it lends us a sense of the inner spirit too.

Such rich images. Stones oaks to get lost in, and come out the other side clothed in discovery. This is a lovely poem.

[barleygirl]

All my life, among lots of people, making a living, etc . . . I always dreamed of living like I now live, in the wilds. I didn't even know if I would be suited for it. But when I got the chance, I made the break (10 yrs ago) & I've only grown to love this solitude more & more each year! I honestly didn't expect to grow into this life as I have! Thanks for a great review, showing your deep understanding of how it can feel (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[R.E. Ray]

"Still almost nobody ever really gets her... as she drifts away on a mystic rainbow"... the perfect last two lines to an "autobiographical" poem. Your poem reminds us that we reveal more than we write, and sometimes our attempts to conceal our quirks actually reveal them, and sometimes in splendid poetry and art.

Margie, I'm always impressed how you use so many different literary devices in your poems. So many seem light and humorous, yet we see a serious dedication to your work. This is no exception. One of my recent favorites for sure.

[barleygirl]

This is a review that tweaks my tootsies! I think this calls for another cup of coffee, since I didn't fire up the woodstove this morning (a balmy 52 in here!) *wink! wink!* Fondly, Margie

[R.E. Ray]

Enjoy that cup, Margie. Put a little good Kentucky bourbon in it, too. :)

[barleygirl]

Given my sweet tooth, it's gotta be a splash of Baileys Irish Creme!

[Lorry]

Those that have, give looksof pity, but will never fully understand the freedom of being yourself, never having to play anothers tune. I am so glad i am tone deaf and detest other peoples noise. Nor will they ever understand walking into a room, asking yourself what you came in for and answering yourself "why you asking me, you already know i dont bloody know", then laughing uncontrollably at yourself
Oh, its just me then? 😀

[barleygirl]

Growing up with an overbearing family (the youngest of 9), there were many imposing their opinions on me, so it took me years to go to the beat of my own drummer finally! Love your fun ramblings . . . love not having someone here to laugh becuz yesterday I discovered I put the cheese into the drawer where the grater goes, instead of the fridge! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[The Awesome One]

This poem is amazing. The rhyme scheme is fantastic. This is a lovely piece of self reveling artwork. I really enjoyed this poem. Thank you for sharing.

[barleygirl]

Thank you for a great review. I don't remember seeing you here, so I'll go check you out (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[The Awesome One]

You are vey welcome.

[Jibey]

Cleverly constructed with a flow of rhythm and rhyme that works like a charm. Your fruitful brain has pulled another corker out of the hat (not sure about the metaphor lol)... and having been in foreign parts recently I know how good it is to be in your own place - even if, in my case, encumbered about by people.

There is a rich fragrance in the pictures you paint, with their evocative images and sense of other experiences, other worlds... and yet for all your versatility, there is that sense of contentment, of being at home in your own skin, whatever the lure of other worlds. I am so glad you are not tethered in any kind of irons. I can't imagine it... they would either melt or snap... and nobody can tether the rainbow, despite the pot of gold. 🎈

[barleygirl]

Being at home in my own skin . . . that's the ultimate compliment & something I've been missing most of my life. I've got it here & I'm glad you can feel it. Always love your thoughts on my thoughts! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie