I Explore Myself
The dark eyes of a compassionate
Gentle Vulcan gaze into me.
He is to the galaxy what
Elves are to my twilight glens and
Willowing forest fantasies. Their
Silken hair and trailing sleeves linger
At the edge of my poem. I am
Writing of murder now.
Some murderers I sympathize with
I think in parallels of their motives.
I do not want to
Get along with my heroes
I want to be my heroes. I want to fill their gaps.
I love gold but
Never wear it. Copper laces my wrists.
The styles I admire
The sweeping dress hemmed with vanity
The daring cuts where hearts have broken
Do not suit me.
Words choke in my throat
I sing and silence fills me
I dance with wild
Intentional abandon
Briefly I exist within the cosmos I
Hold inside me
Briefly my hair grows past my eighth rib
Briefly I am perfect
I am perfect.
Perfect.
Artwork by Nick Reeves
Written for the 15th Experiments In Fiction Poetry Challenge: write a poem in response to the above artwork.
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Dominic Alapat
Love this poem! From mythology to fantasy to reality! Wonderful!
Jaya Avendel
This is one of my favorite pieces! Delighted you enjoyed it so. Thank you. 🙂
Dishita
You have used such beautiful imagery. This is a lovely and magical post! ✨
Jaya Avendel
Thank you so, so much for your incredible words!
Susi Bocks
Gorgeous, Jaya!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Susi!
Susi Bocks
You’re welcome, Jaya!
paeansunplugged
This is absolutely amazing, Jaya! Can’t pick a favourite line because the entire poem is so empowering. Bravo!
Penny
love this so much.. it definitely touched my soul x Penny
silent poetry
Beautiful piece ❤️
Jaya Avendel
Thank you!
Lindsey
Oh I LOVE this one! The line about wanting to be your hero, that’s so powerful. I really enjoyed the longer style here.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Lindsey! Wanting to be our heroes seems to be a common wish. 🙂
Nancy
This piece is really powerful. I do understand some murderers, well, if they did it in self-defense but was convicted for the death of someone else, despite of the threat to them. I like that you referenced copper in this piece too. Feels like it all connects somehow. Great job on this piece!
Nancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com
Jenny in Neverland
This is beautiful and so whimsical. It reminds me of a Fantasy world!
Jessica Khater
Wow. I wish I could express myself like that. I loved the ending. It’s so empowering.
nianni
Love this especially the last two lines.
Molly @ Transatlantic Notes
I love your connection to the artwork — so well written!
glowsteady
This is beautiful. I love how vivid, raw and haunting this is. The imagery is so rich too, there’s such a full story playing in my head.
Jaya Avendel
<3 Thank you so much! I love that you felt this so deeply.
Anika May
Beautiful use of imagery in this one, Jaya! Really stirs up emotion and was really uplifting to read. Love how personal it feels too. Thank you for sharing 🙂
smallgirlbigworld
So powerful, real and raw. You have a great talent. So meaningful and inspirational. Keep your spark alive, the world needs to hear your voice x
Jaya Avendel
Thank you so much!
Tom
Wonderfully powerful! I love the story this told, and particularly liked the lines “I do not want to/ Get along with my heroes/ I want to be my heroes.” and the desire to forge one’s own path, rather than relying upon the foundations of others. Beautiful
Jaya Avendel
Love the way you read this, Tom! Thank you for sharing.
Elle
I love that you’re always inspired to write one poem that give meaning to art like this! Lovely poem, Jaya. Keep writing them 😊 x
Kelly Diane
This is just a beautiful and powerful poem Jaya.
quirkymoms486
Wonderful poem Jaya!
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
My trailing sleeves linger as well, like the rest of me more or less …
While You .. You are perfect, that’s sure! <3
Jaya Avendel
🙂 Thank you, Claudia! I extend the same visioning to you.
Ruth| Ruthiee loves Glamour
Your poems are always spot on Jaya. I love reading your poems and your pictures are always so in-line with the poems. Lovely poem x!
Je
Love it! You are at your prime as a poet. Beautiful work. Read it with silence and captivation. And props to Nick Reeves too!
Michele Lee
I love the pairing of Nick’s artwork with your imaginative words. This poem details so many different ideas and images – it is a world unto itself. A creative and entertaining read. ✨
Jaya Avendel
Writing this I realized just how many strange and unrelated things make up ME. I was inspired and am inspired to think the same is true of us all! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this. 🙂
Michele Lee
We are multifaceted creatures, aren’t we? 😁
You are most welcome.
Lozza
I love this!
Your poems are always so captivating ☺️
Love Lozza x
barbaraleaver
Great poem. It reminds me of people taking selfies and wanting to have the perfect image of themselves but hiding the dark side
Jaya Avendel
Oo, I love the way you read this, especially in regards to selfies! Thanks so much for sharing.
Ingrid
I love this Jaya 🤩 thank you for taking part!
Jaya Avendel
As always, Ingrid, thank you for one more reason to write. 🙂
TheQuietGirl (Anissa)
Lovely poem, love reading your poems, gets my brain thinking. Love the picture attached as well. 😊
Jaya Avendel
Thank you so much! I love that this writing inspires thought in you.
Writing to Freedom
Lovely poem.
eob2
Nicely done…my fave lines….
I do not want to
Get along with my heroes
I want to be my heroes. I want to fill their gaps. 😊💙
Jaya Avendel
Thank you so much for sharing your favorite lines! I find those two lines powerful on their own and in combination with the writing too.
eob2
Your welcome. Well of course they are part of the overall experience of the poem. Jaya, Thanks to you I have made my first submission! 😊 now just too wait for a reply, is hard. I decided to be “brave”. So I thank you. Even if they reject it, I’ll keep trying. 😁
Jaya Avendel
❣️ This made my day today! I am so thrilled that you have taken the first step. Waiting is my least favorite part of the game, but it is worth it. Fingers crossed and much love your way for a ‘yes’!!
eob2
Thanks 🙏🏼🤞🏼