Rainbows On The Ground


The ground blooms in rainbows
and I lay a faded white rose
in a padded garden growing insanity.

I can’t remember the scent of spring.
Bleach drinks the tiles on the floors
burning my nose with helpless.

I am here to get better, but I can’t find better.
It is not in the pills poured from a witch’s hand
or the shadow puppets stealing them from under my tongue.

The elusive “they” tell me I am here for my own good.
What is good about numbness and prying voices
that ask so many questions but have no ears to listen?

Beyond the stones I am buried in is my freedom,
because I can see birds flying across the sky from my window.
I know I could reach them 
if someone would just give me back my wings.


©Susie Clevenger 2013

Hannah at Real Toads gave us tulip pictures for inspiration. I took a cue from the title for the prompt and went with "dark" colors.

Comments

LaTonya Baldwin said…
Susie, well done. Love the lines and like the visual edit.
Fireblossom said…
This is so stark, and the notion that no one is listening is unsettling. Then you close with the wings, which may mean hope and unique personhood, or may just mean delusion and madness. I'm going to read it as hopeful.
Helen said…
I'm reading this as dark .. it's an amazing write. I will find your wings, deliver in person.
Scarlet said…
It is dark in contrast to the faded white rose ~ But I am hoping the wings will set you free like rainbows ~
Maude Lynn said…
This is so, so good!
Anonymous said…
Oh Susie this is absolutely spectacular, you have really captured the "haunted hearts" concept. Wow I am blown away

The new prompt is up if you are interested =)
Kerry O'Connor said…
Here is a haunted heart, and dark colours indeed. Mental health is such an important issue, and you have given such crisis of the spirit a very human face.
poppy silver said…
Beautiful!
Peggy said…
Haunted heart in this for sure. Very wrenching poem.
Ella said…
This does haunt~ Oh, trying to find your wings can be so painful~

I can feel the pain in this poem~
Bravo for going there!
@>---------
Susie Swanson said…
It may be dark but it's amazing. Hugs, xo
Anonymous said…
Amazing. I shared this on twitter:
Beautiful and dark. Visit Confessions Of A Laundry Goddess and read Rainbows On The Ground http://confessionsofalaundrygoddess.blogspot.com/2013/07/rainbows-on-ground.html?spref=tw