Sun Kissed Days

Sun Kissed Days

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Unvarnished



The mirror shards,
sharp as the strands of grey hair,
unvarnished 
like the redwood trees.
You would not recognize
the resilient starfish
left on the shore 
to die.
You were a stray dog
that followed me home.
I let you into 
my consciousness.
You wagged your tail,
you licked my face
with adoration
before you barked.
When you bit me,
I put you down.
I was sober,
you were not.
I was not a munequita
to chew and spit out.
Blindfolded I was lured
by the darkness,
misery I mired in.
You set fire and scorched
our landscape.
I  rose from the ashes,
while 
you
became a 
ghost
of the past.

















57 comments:

  1. unvarnished like the redwood trees...... like those tall trees.

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  2. Pushing past those one should leave behind

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  3. 'I was sober, you were not' - really stands out for me..sometimes we have to be sober in all senses in order not to be bitten twice.

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  4. I think this is a perfect poem!

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  5. Hi Ayala! Good to read you again. I hope this poem isn't about that lovely doggie in the pix! A deep, complex poem to me....some really great lines in this poem.

    Jane

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  6. This is such a powerful metaphor, Ayala--and I know it couldn't be about Daisy. One of the things I love most about your imagery is the texture and how well that bark fits the poem.

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  7. Looking at the smiling pup on your website, I know it is not she and who makes me smile everytime. Sometimes we do the wrong thing because we are not paying attention. Good thing you were awakened and able to move on.

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  8. Nice to be back here and read your characteristic work - like revisiting an old friend - thank you... With Best Wishes

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  9. Oh this is wonderful... somehow it feels so much better afterwards, but that betrayal, that bite must have stung... but somehow we can heal and get through

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  10. This is unvarnished and I like the rawness of it. I was that resilient starfish too, Ayala. I'm glad you put that "dog" down and persevered.

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  11. Such twists and turns in this piece. I could feel the strong emotions at the end.

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  12. "I rose from the ashes,
    while you became a ghost of the past."

    ~Ah... beautifully haunting.

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  13. WOW!! You left me breathless Ayala!

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  14. Very nice one of the best I have read all week...nice work and thank you for sharing...bkm

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  15. Powerful ... Glad I read this. Beautiful.

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  16. Powerful images in this - stirring and triumphant in the face of betrayal. Awesome writing!

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  17. I like the voice and quiet strength here. Thanks.

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  18. Your words speak volumes, it is hard when you let someone into your consciousness and then that bite it hurts, but the human will is stronger and survives.

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  19. This breaks my heart, Ayala! This is one powerful poem.

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  20. I was glad to see in the comments that this was a metaphor. It is a very powerful poem and I especially admire your closing lines. I rose from the ashes of a few of those ghosts as well. Smiles.

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  21. Such sadness when wild things we invite in are dangerous. It takes strength to say no, and it always takes away part of us.

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  22. When you bit me,I put you down.
    I was sober,you were not

    As often the case there might be lots of elements trying to get one's attention but could not! Yes, one must be in full control!

    Hank

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  23. sometimes moving on is so difficult as the ghost stays...may be as an alert not to repeat the mistake...that bite, a strong metaphor here....

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  24. This one pulls at the heart.. no doubt.. beautifully penned.
    Big Hugs.

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  25. I did read it as a metaphor – and glad you dropped that relationship. Sometimes it's the only good choice.

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    1. Sometimes...it's the only way to save oneself.

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  26. Thinking a man who was a dog here ...

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  27. Strong imagery and vivid descriptions heighten the depth and emotion of this prose - so good to see your words again, Ayala. xo

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  28. What a sad past...but happy to read that it is just a ghost in the past now.

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