When you are sorrowful look again in your heart,
and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

~ Kahlil Gibran, from"The Prophet"

Monday, September 12, 2011

Instrusion

Death Barged In
by Kathleen Sheeder Bonanno

In his Russian greatcoat
slamming open the door
with an unpardonable bang,
and he has been here ever since.

He changes everything,
rearranges the furniture,
his hand hovers
by the phone;
he will answer now, he says;
he will be the answer.

Tonight he sits down to dinner
at the head of the table
as we eat, mute;
later, he climbs into bed
between us.

Even as I sit here,
he stands behind me
clamping two
colossal hands on my shoulders
and bends down
and whispers to my neck, 
From now on, 
you write about me.


flagrancy, an atrocity
nothing vague - nothing subtle
can you feel it
distinctly tactile to some - obscure, vague to others

taste it, metallic
touch the blatant intrusion, the unwelcome invasion
BANG
make yourself comfortable
settle in to stay
how dare you enter this space
ignore it and it will leave... 
if only

control over every part of the routine of daily existence
insidious, street-smart
order, is there order left, any semblance
altered, taken, snatched from grasp
wandering in circles - in the house, in the woods, at bronswood
will it ever return
no, just longings for things that will never be
ever

sinking under the weight - oppressive, stifling
feeling the breath
palpable, manifest
i'm freezing
the hairs on my nape disturbed... forever disturbed
i'm writing

I AM writing!
DAMN YOU

4 comments:

  1. and it's a powerful thing, your writing.
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mary, how awful, how beautiful, how true. Sending warm hugs across the miles to you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The univited "guest." Your writing is very powerful. How you have continued, inspiring.
    The univited one came barreling through the front door, leaving a hole in it's wake.

    Much love,
    Your back door friend, the best kind for hand holding.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You write so well of which is beyond description though it is heavily evident in every sense and dimension.....
    My heart is with you.

    ReplyDelete