This Poem was Submitted By: Patricia Gibson-Williams On Date: 2002-04-16 14:15:18 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Exposed

Exposed… I stand, before the mirror.  And contemplate,  the reasons why; makeup is applied.   We use it to hide flaws; (real and imagined) to enhance beauty. To redefine ourselves. Or, to conceal, bruises “I’ve never hit a woman” (Memories assail me,  as I apply mine.) Concealer, base, blush, eyeliner, eye shadow and lipstick Like magic;  They transform and restore me. Your words,  said confidently  echo in my head. “I love you “ whispered soothingly,  at least a hundred times. “I’ve never hit a woman” My lips tingle impatiently as I remember;  your warm fervent kiss. My eyes   sparkle radiantly  then dim, as I recall; The heaven  I thought I’d found, - bound - in your arms. A simple statement “You belong to me” binds my heart. I touch my cheek; awed, by its smooth perfection. Color blooms,  Where I caress it  with my brush “I’ve never hit a woman” This “truth” feels like a lie. As I study my face; I embrace a truer tale Shrouded scratches where your fingers grazed my cheek. Veiled shadows on my lip and chin, left by your angry grip. – I recall the fury in your eyes –    as you asked… “Do you want to die?” I close my eyes.  Wondering  why I felt so calm. Mesmerized… while the gun you seized, scraped across my tongue. (Another small ache  that cannot mask the pain,  exploding in my soul.) “Yes!” I plead,  but no one hears. I sob,  desolate, forlorn. Missing…  the taste of cold metal snuggled in my mouth. Mourning  the loss of hope, so briefly savored. “I’ve never hit a woman” You sounded, so  Proud of yourself; Sure of your “facts.” As countless tears, wash away the deceit;  covering my face, I pray aloud; May God, Have mercy on your soul.

Copyright © April 2002 Patricia Gibson-Williams

Additional Notes:
I’ve worked and worked on this one and I’m still not satisfied with it. So I guess I’m ready for help. How does the story work? Did I give too much information? Does the poem flow? (I seldom write non rhyming poetry) Or is it choppy, and more like a story? Since I change tense several times in this poem, please let me know if I used the wrong one anywhere. I’m also not sure about the layout. If I use this one I feel like I need to add a line to the only verse with 2 lines. I just haven’t been able to come up with one that doesn’t sound forced. I tried breaking the one I used into 3 lines but it didn’t seem to read smoothly when I did. Actually I’m not sure the layout works in places anyway; but I have a thing about symmetry. The original layout was distracting because it jumped from symmetrical to random and then back. Last but not least I would like comments on the last verse… Does it work or should I search for something else? Any and all comments are welcome. Patti I would also like suggestions for a title.


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