Decision is a shower gel that’s reminiscent of roses
and citrus fruit; mildly sweet,
catching rays of sunshine from a small window in the restroom,
while I stand in the midst of it all, humming lyrics
hopelessly crafted from snippets of lyrics (inspired from Pearl Jam,
Jane’s addiction and Oasis) that reside within my IPod.
Is there any reason as to why it should feel so wholesome,
when water comes in contact with the inner-workings of the mind,
or why silence carries as much meaning?
I am slipping, stepping subconsciously through the hustle and bustle of city,
earnestness glued to the tip of each hair
on my head, cut and styled and put into place—the truth bubbling out
from behind mulberry painted lips.
Somebody once told me, how she was captivated with photographs,
how deeply satisfying it was for her to capture a picture perfect portrait
of a moment, a memory or even a mortal merely
through the lens of her camera—and before now I never truly grasped,
never truly understood what she meant by it.
If you can read this,
have you ever wondered just how you managed to get this far?
It’s not every day that we get to question the complexities of human nature,
get to analyze what wild words are sung by the birds,
and exactly what odes are written to the failed politicians of the past—
I like to imagine that I have a tough exterior, so that I may take on challenges,
everyone wants to be the flower
but nobody, literally nobody wants to play the role of its vase;
because it’s ridiculous, why be something else?
There is much to be said about how bitter grief tastes, like sepia-tinged clouds;
I like to imagine that a day will come when verses will succeed
to make a difference in the world, a slightly less obscure period and place,
that’s probably not so far off—for now let us fill limbs and bones
with stardust because life is a sacred journey;
it’s all hypothetical and I have been in the shower for what seems like a week.
Photo credits: Heidi Kaden, ‘Filled mug on brown wooden bathtub,” Unsplash
This poem is inspired by the title of Joke Squad’s book (Volume 1 of 10) of the same name 🥠
Bjorn hosts at dVerse and invites us to read a poem and
indulge in fellowship and camaraderie. Come join us! 💝
Posted for Mid-Summer Open Link LIVE @dVerse Poets Pub
Brilliant Sanaa:
“have you ever wondered just how you managed to get this far?”
Exactly that!!
And how good are your final lines:
“There is much to be said about how bitter grief tastes, like sepia-tinged clouds;
I like to imagine that a day will come when verses will succeed
to make a difference in the world, a slightly less obscure period and place,
that’s probably not so far off—for now let us fill limbs and bones
with stardust because life is a sacred journey;
it’s all hypothetical and I have been in the shower for what seems like a week.”
Brilliantly expressed sentiment… And, as for the deft light finish – Yup, been there too – lost in reverie many a time…
Bravo! In fact double Bravo!!
Thank you so much, Scott 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
yes the line about grief hits right in the gut. Brilliant.
I love the reading of this Sanaa. And yes, I want to be the flower, but not the vase.
Happy summer break!!!
Thank you so much, Grace 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
Happy Summer break to you too! 🙂
I loved hearing you read this, Sanaa! And thank you for that image–you are so right, nobody wants to be the vase. 🌺
Thank you so much, Merril 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
A sacred journey indeed, thoughtfully considered. An evocative write.
Thank you so much, Beverly 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
Hearing this aloud was one (very cool) thing, but coming here and reading it, processing at my own speed, SR, is just mind-blowingly goooood! Thanks
Thank you so much, Ron 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
life is a sacred journey;
Very much so Sanaa! If not for anything else it is a test of resolve and a test of nerves to lots of new things. Wonderful wordcraft!
Hank
Thank you so much, Hank 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
“let us fill limbs and bones
with stardust because life is a sacred journey;”
Yes, indeed Sanaa
Much💛love
Thank you so much, Gillena 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Much love back ….
Really love this, Sanaa, and the title. I enjoyed reading your poetic shower thoughts and enjoyed the image too.
Thank you so much, Susan 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
‘I like to imagine that a day will come when verses will succeed
to make a difference in the world, a slightly less obscure period and place,
that’s probably not so far off’
Me too! Let’s hope so Sanaa 🙂 I love how your whimsical title acts as the springboard for a much deeper examination of all our hopes, dreams and expectations.
Thank you so much, Ingrid 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
The shower is a great place for unexpected thoughts. I’ve solved many a problem without even trying.
You and me both! Thank you so much, Kerfe 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
What a fabulous title.
This warms my heart and makes me sigh:
“the truth bubbling out
from behind mulberry painted lips.
Somebody once told me, how she was captivated with photographs”
❤️❤️❤️
Oh, WOW. This is amazing, Sanaa. What a journey from start to finish. <3
Thank you so much, Lucy 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
Sanaa, perhaps my all-time favorite of yours. Deep yet light and illuminating, tactile – even sensual, with humor and wonder. I wish I could have heard you read this. Hopefully Bjorn will be able to publish. A marvelous poem ~ M
Thank you so much, M 😀 so glad you liked it! I wrote this during NaPoWriMo 2021 💄❤️
I love all the multi-sensory impressions that come through in this poem, and the wisdom at its core. Love these lines:
“It’s not every day that we get to question the complexities of human nature,
get to analyze what wild words are sung by the birds,
and exactly what odes are written to the failed politicians of the past—”
“everyone wants to be the flower
but nobody, literally nobody wants to play the role of its vase;”
Wonderful <3
Thank you so much, Sunra 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Oh I love this! I hated having to have super short showers during the drought with the water on only for a moment to wet, then again to rinse. It really interfered with my thinking.
The flower and vase – I’m not so sure, as I get older, I think I’m happy to be a vase for my children and students.
Thank you so much, Kate 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
this is great! i loved this, i read this the other day and had to come back and read again, so clever and well written, enjoyed very much!
Thank you so much, Philip 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
When this is the result, you’re forgiven for being in the shower for a week. 😉
Hahaha 😀 thank you, Ken! It was a wonderful experience writing this poem. 💄❤️
Oh i so loved this one… not just for the phrases but for the subtle humor (which was easier to hear when you read it.
Thank you so much, Bjorn 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
Hi Sanaa! I finally managed to swim up through depression to read the last set of poems before the break, and to get some new writing down myself. This was a /perfect/ poem to meet that moment (otherwise I wouldn’t have said anything), encapsulating the hubris and the hope that is what a poet does.
Also, some algorithm has excavated that avatar from the depths of ancient Yahoo. what in the world. lol!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read, Alexandra 🙂 so glad you liked it 💄❤️