Pick Up Sticks~

They planted a chestnut tree

The lining of the womb came into bud inside the soil

Cell clusters coaxed the dark roots to flourish

Blood ribbons tied themselves around each ring

Years passed

Every natal holiday I broke off a branch

It fell in a rambling puzzle behind me

My footsteps became leaf patterns

My journey a briar closing at my back

One day I came to a precipice

Before me was sky

An offering

I looked back over my shoulder

My sticks a trail of breadcrumbs

An insistent melody in the woodland of my soul

I turned to retrace my path

The briar wound roses through my hair

Each time I bent to pick up sticks

 

At the beginning the chestnut tree

A stack of kindling on my back

A kerchief of roses

I remembered the scent of my gypsy heart

Japan tattooed at the corners of my eyes

I built a fire for my sticks

My smoke telling stories to the night

Dawn picked me up on a breeze

 

At the precipice

Sky waited

I gave in to my nature

I gave in to my myth;

A thousand years later

A man found bones

Beneath a chestnut tree

He picked up the ivory sticks

Put them together

He stood there for a long time

Not knowing what to do with what he had found

 

The man planted a chestnut tree

For his first child

A puzzle of bones around the roots

 

Myths never die

Someone always leaves a trail . . . .

 

 

 

 

copyright:2010vssmd/amusemusepress

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Reviews

[JelliFyshKissUs]

Oh my god! I wrote a piece like this called "maple tree". There is no way I can publish it now. Your words and images trump everything I could have hoped to say. You knack for implementing nature in your writings as an acrylic stroked canvas makes me melt with envy. What a trail of beauty.

[Ron]

Great Selene, a story within the poem, what a beautiful way to put in words how we are, as the universe keep going on, recycling and walking and having someone else walking in our same path! Im glad you picked a chestnut tree it made me warm all over. By the way I thought I was the only one who remembered the game pick up sticks Do you ? lol

[Art]

Even the mythology of life cannot escape yout thoughts...one is left with that emotional tie to your every thought...

nice...

[MiidniightSoul]

This such a beautiful poem. It left me breathless and proofs what an excellent and amazing writer you are. And the way you describe certain things makes the poem come alive. Stunning. I really love your work.

[Ruth]

Selene, you always leave a trail of beauty!
So many elements that infuse your work, I am left reeling afterwards for the day! lol Seriously! This is stunning, such beauty from a seed of memories lol
Excellent work love, always more than a pleasure to read!
xx

[elle june]

this piece of poetry left me wanting to read more! i re-read it three times just to reabsorb the euphoric effect it had on me, thank you.

[Lydia Blackwell]

this is a great story. this line was particularly telling and I can really feel the emotion in it:
My footsteps became leaf patterns

My journey a briar closing at my back

For me, it is hard to close the door on the past- I always want to look back. i can't let it go- I think- what could I have changed? done different? But- you can never go back. It's final.

[Maurice]

As always, your poetic ability is awesome. This one captured my attention from the very outset and gave the most spectacular display.

[Brad]

this was completely mesmirizing! the metaphoric branches and leaves leaves one cold like an autumn morning, bravo, mamabear

[Liza]

this was beautiful
it made me think of the trees we all are
some of our roots spread
while our branches grow out
others up
we stand and look down noticing the space
and nurturing or lack of
in our development and ways of love

[C]

And your trail glows and enlightens, kitty. Another delightful ramble through your mythology.