Kaleidoscopic Spiral


It is there at the bottom
pulling me toward its center.
It climbs each spiral
luring with its subtle hypnosis.

My mind turns in kaleidoscopic thoughts.
of purple surrender and yellow denial.
Black and white reality swirls into gray
where my determination is lost in the fog.

My hands clutch with resistance,
the nails tattooing their edges in my skin.
Moments pile in sand dunes
waiting for my breath to escape.

My hesitancy builds its case,
writes it summation in my brain.
I step further from the edge
and shake free from its attraction.
Freedom exhales in victory,
but knows there are more battles to come.


©Susie Clevenger 2012
Photograph: The Golden Spiral   ~  W. Brian Duncan
A Word with Laurie: Perspective

Comments

Wander said…
Writes it's summation in my brain...

Very good line!

I am very glad your stopped you, the world would be a much dimmer place otherwise!

Wander
Mary said…
Sometimes a temporary victory is all that one can achieve at the moment. But one can continue to achieve another and another. Fine write, Susie.
Laurie Kolp said…
I love 'kaleidescope thoughts of purple surrender and yellow denial'... swirled with reality and determination... and finally the last line, freedom. This sounds like a great formula for getting through life's struggles, Susie.
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Great writing....one step at a time - way to keep on keeping on!!!!
Mystic_Mom said…
This is very nicely done, well crafted, and your phrases evoke a lot of emotions and images. Love this!
Kay L. Davies said…
Stepping back, seeing the spiral from a different perspective—perfect, Susie.
K
Margaret said…
I think you nailed this! Lots of imagery and feeling but leaves each of us to "fill in the blank" with our own temptation(s). Nicely done!
Kerry O'Connor said…
You have captured confusion felt when the future seems uncertain. I felt a rising sense of panic as I read these lines.
Maude Lynn said…
This gave me a bit of a shiver! Great write!
Other Mary said…
Oh, that's a gripping write. Sorry for the bad pun, I really do find this compelling.
Geraldine said…
I liked all of this...the photo and your words...excellent!
hedgewitch said…
Great photograph to reflect your message on perspective here, and it proceeds in a measured spiral through your strong images of tension to(temporary)resolution. Esp liked the third stanza '..moments pile in sand dunes..' is a great visual.
Herotomost said…
Felt like i was swirling down a drain while on morphine. Great images, great lines...the last two lines particularly effective and hard hitting. Yeah baby...loved this.
Hannah said…
My hesitancy builds its case,
writes it summation in my brain.


Really liked these and the image is stunning. Also enjoyed how you played with color in the beginning.

Stepped away from the edge. :)
Anonymous said…
beautiful, Susie...

"My mind turns in kaleidoscopic thoughts.
of purple surrender and yellow denial.
Black and white reality swirls into gray
where my determination is lost in the fog."