NaPoWriMo 2013 Day 26 ~ Words In An Electronic Desert


There’s that blinking again.
I scratch inside this cramped
muscle cage wanting to run
while she waddles her fingers
across an electronic desert writing
and erasing words in the sand.

I purr my plea to set me free,
but she holds the leash tighter
clipping my claws with someday.

She thinks of me as one of her
domesticated cats that rub at
her ankles begging for food and attention.

I am a tiger meant to run; feel the sun
upon my fur; stand my ground against
any beast that dares cross into my territory.

Damn, just when I see my roar breaking
through the walls of this crumbling zoo,
I feel her tears drip from my eyes.

Her sorrow drains me of my anger.
I hear her tell me I am the strength that lifts her,
the music of her voice, the courage to walk
the valley when its dark, and laughter
when pain stalks from every shadow.

It is odd how a moment can change perception.
Suddenly I see not a locked door but an open portal
where words left in the sand are leading both of us
across an electronic desert to freedom.


©Susie Clevenger 2013

At Real Toads Fireblossom challenged us to write about the animal within.






Comments

Kay L. Davies said…
Oh, Susie, this is an amazing write. I love it!
K
Susie Swanson said…
This is awesome..Love, love it.xo
Maggie Grace said…
Love how the discomfort merged into a single entity working together. That was probably redundant. I love how the tiger reflects on being her source of strength and hope. Awesome!
Maude Lynn said…
I just really needed to read this right now. Beautiful.
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Wowzers, kiddo, this is fantastic! I love "clipping my claws with someday"........I especially love when the inner tiger hears she is the "strength that lifts her, the music of her voice......when pain stalks from every shadow." That is spectacular! "Now "not a locked door but an open portal." What a brilliant write, kiddo!
Helen said…
White tigers are a sight to behold. I remember flinching when Cruella De Vil wrapped a white tiger fur around her shoulders. Not cool ... never should have happened!!!
Ella said…
Wow I love how you merged and morphed the animal and human characteristics!
Amazing Susie!!!
<3 yours
Kerry O'Connor said…
Shay said it first: Wow!

This is inspired writing, Susie. The merging of the woman and her animal spirit companion is faultless - the sense that they are apart together was so well-handled throughout the poem.
Jinksy said…
You sure got a tiger in your tank...:)
hedgewitch said…
I had a lot of trouble with this challenge--the way you've approached it seems perfect to me, smooth and seamless, two beings at once, feeling both, and the interplay between. I am glad to have some tracks besides mine in the electronic desert, Susie.
Hannah said…
Okay!! You got me with this one, Susie!! Goosebumps...

I just LOVE how personal you made this...thank you so much for taking us to that inner tiger space that raw and hurting and wide open dessert freedom, too!! Beautiful!