Wagon Train
On this staircase I alight to see the world in silver shoe and indigo slipper. My fingers trail the polished railing. Tears burst beneath my feet as heel pierces scattered sacrificial petal.
Ivory lace and blue ribbon yet this is no wedding. Whalebone presses against rib. Ink flows freely down my body and tattoos the steps behind me.
My breath begins to leave me. I feel it disappear from my lungs like mist obliterated by sunshine. The diamonds fall off my shoe, followed by scarlet bowtie. Gloves shred off my fingertips. My blood darkens the railing beautiful.
Shadows of the people who guided me to this staircase retreat into past. They gave me up. I take off one shoe and then the next. They do not know what it costs to climb the stairs, but they dared imagine the reward.
It is not their courage I carry with me. Movement of my body undoes the buttons down my back; bodice splits open. Silk tumbles away, followed by cotton that laughs on the wind. I hope they find the pieces of the woman they know dead at their feet come sunset. I hope they find my silver shoe.
I will reach the landing alive. I will stand at the golden edge of civilization and I will choose the wilderness.
Photo via The New York Public Library
Raji (@journeyintofantasy)
Thanks for sharing this poem, it was very thought provoking!
Dalton Treaves
Fabulous flow of imagery!
According to Chren
Wonderful writing and we like the photo you chose to go with the poem.
gemmaajaynee
Your way with words is always so powerful. “My breath begins to leave me. I feel it disappear from my lungs like mist obliterated by sunshine.” Really stood out to me. Thank you for sharing Jaya! x
Lauren
This is a great piece Jaya! Your words depict such a vivid image! Thank you for sharing your writing.
Lauren
Tracy Abell
Oh, that ending: “. . . and I will choose the wilderness.” Brava!
barbaraleaver
A beautiful soul-searching piece!
readandreviewit1
Oh I love this so much! I really connected with the line “My breath begins to leave me. I feel it disappear from my lungs like mist obliterated by sunshine.” and the ending is so powerful! Thank you so much for sharing another beautiful piece with us x
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Ceri!
Khaya Ronkainen
A beautiful piece with vivid imagery. Thank you for the gift of words.
Ingrid
‘cotton that laughs on the wind.’ – such a strong voice: I love it!
Jaya Avendel
Thanks, Ingrid! Love that you felt that line.
Corinne
Ah Jaya, this is lovely. It felt so smooth and fluid to read!
Corinne x
Jeff Flesch
This write reminds of the myriad systematic and structural inequalities present across the globe, and how these systems impinge on people’s freedom of self expression. I adore the visceral quality of the write, coupled with the exquisite imagery, combining for a feast of the senses. I also love the choice at the top of the stairs, reigning back empowerment, and expression. Beautiful, Jaya!
Cindy Georgakas
such thought provoking imagery with so many layers of wisdom Jaya. I’ll be looking for that shoe! 💖
Jaya Avendel
👌🏼 Excellent, Cindy!
jonicaggiano
Stunning writing and a perfect photograph for this piece full of imagery and regret, lovely writing. Hugs, Joni
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for this lovely read, Joni!
Unwanted Life
This is yet another great piece. My two favourite lines are, “Whalebone presses against rib” because as a goth and a metalhead, corsets are regularly worn within my circle.
The other line, which followed the other one, was, “Ink flows freely down my body and tattoos the steps behind me” because I have tattoos. I even got tattooed a couple of weeks ago.
Jaya Avendel
Oh, I just love the personal connections you made through this poem! Thank you for sharing.
Charity
I love this one so much! So good my friend! Thanks for sharing!
Daphny Aqua
You left me speechless with this work of art, one of your best works yet Jaya. I’m just stumped. ❤️
Jaya Avendel
What an amazing reading experience! Thank you for sharing, Daphny.
Daphny Aqua
You’re most welcome, Jaya!
Michele Lee
You continue to transcend in creativity and delicious phrasing! Your poetic tale would make an intriguing and captivating video. 💖 A gorgeous scene it would be!
Jaya Avendel
How lovely a reading reflection! Thanks deeply, Michele.
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
I didn’t find your silver shoe, but I read your golden words <3
Thanks a lot Jaya!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for this lovely comment, Claudia!
Jenny in Neverland
” Ink flows freely down my body and tattoos the steps behind me.” That’s a wonderful line. Thanks for sharing this piece Jaya x
Buddy Smith
Lovely write.
haoyando
Love the ending. “I will choose the wilderness” any time.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you! I felt that was a solid ending line.
Jodie | That Happy Reader
Such a thought-provoking poem Jaya! I have so many feelings when I read it. Particularly “ They do not know what it costs to climb the stairs, but they dared imagine the reward.”
Lincol Martín
Simply beautiful 👏👏 And as you said above, civilization is not all that it seems.
I was delighted to enjoy your narrative.
Greetings from afar.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Lincol!
ruhietc
Love the movement in this piece!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you ever so much! Love that you felt this poem.
Her Digital Coffee
Wow this is such a powerful piece. I could visualize the line “my breath begins to leave me. I feel it disappear from my lungs like mist obliterated by sunshine.” Beautiful imagery as always!
Jacqui Murray
“stand at the golden edge of civilization and I will choose the wilderness”–such an appealing thought. Civilization isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Jaya Avendel
Love that you connected with those lines, Jacqui!