Flowers Of The Moon
The moon rocked in its cradle
hunched down on its paws
reluctant to rise
while the sharpened stars stared
and ice fell like blades
on the night she was born.
She wanted flowers,
hands to hold, a round-
bellied pony with liquid eyes
but they gave her knives, so
she learned to juggle.
There was plenty of work.
"Stand back." she said,
"I could put out your eye easy
as breathing. I could and I might."
The moon crept up to
the crossroads.The stars fell asleep.
The knives rose and spun
whirled and glittered like
blue ice flying
til one by one they fell
from her scarred hands.
"I've no time for this trade," she said,
"where every mistake bleeds,
where every hit frightens.
The moon needs a gardener
for roses to grow."
March 2022
posted for
Images; Sunset at the North Pole, author unknown, Fair Use
Girl Juggling Knives, unknown source via Sunday Muse, Fair Use
Wow, I love that, and the way you juggled the sharp language, scars, and the need to put down our weapons, even if they are the tools life handed us. "I could and I might." No trying to pretty it up, the wounds, the fear. The sharp light of the stars and the knives falling.
ReplyDeleteThanks for getting it, q.
DeleteI love the descriptions that make the moon seem alive and cautiously drawing closer to the girl who wanted a pony but got knives, a situation you know I can relate to. The descriptions of the scarred hands and how every mistake bleeds make it immediate and real for the reader. One sometimes loves tending moonflowers when sunflowers are denied. I wonder if this came from one of your dreams, as it has that quality, though your tags don't say that it does. This one will stay with me.
ReplyDeleteIt's nothing compared to yours, but I'm glad you found something there, Shay. Thanks.
Delete<3 <3 <3 Like you reached in and felt the beating of my heart. Perfect title for it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa.
DeleteLife is filled with mistakes and some do make us bleed..playing with knives can be dangerous. The ending is sharp much like a rose thorn.
ReplyDeleteOh Joy! This is as brilliant as the sharpest of knives!! I love the images of the rocking moon and sharp stars and how you have captured the journey of the heart to holding defenses and letting go to hope and growth! Gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is an amazing poem. I loved the moon descriptions, too, and the girl who wanted a pony but got knives. A wonderful read.
ReplyDeleteYou paint a wonderful image of the moon and then "whirled and glittered like
ReplyDeleteblue ice flying".. the knives.
Magnificent!
Joy, this was an amazing read .. the labels you chose, an extra treat!
ReplyDeleteA fractured fairy tale of fate on the primrose path, blessed with knives in lieu of ponies. Good for Flora, passing on the job.
ReplyDeleteLove the description of the moon. Yes, all knives should be dropped in favor of life.
ReplyDelete