Swallowing Stones

She keeps swallowing stones,
smoothing their edges
with the river of secrets
flowing inside her.

A preacher once told her
to confess her sins,
but she prefers
the hell she knows to
a cauldron stirred
with gossip’s stick.

She lives with the unspoken
dodging questions tossed
from loaded tongues,
her spine standing straight
under a devil dealt burden
she prefers to carry alone.



©Susie Clevenger 2013

Peggy at Real Toads prompted us to write about things being carried.

Comments

Maude Lynn said…
"she prefers
the hell she knows to
a cauldron stirred
with gossip’s stick."

Amen.
Debi Swim said…
I agree with Mama Zen, that is a great line. And the swallowing stones that you've smoothed the edges of...great stuff here-true.
Grace said…
Title and opening verses are eye catching ~ The message though is unmistakable, to live with the burden alone with a straight back ~
Sherry Blue Sky said…
"a cauldron stirred with gossip's stick". Wow, kiddo! Stellar! And I know all about carrying burdens alone. Great write, Susie!
ed pilolla said…
the stone swallowing, the cauldron, this felt like storytelling in some misty, magical bog.
the gossip's stick is an amazing line.
Jinksy said…
Carrying burdens with a straight back? Now, that's good posture! lol Excellent take on the prompt.
Kerry O'Connor said…
That opening stanza is just filled with poetic possibility. Susie, you never fail to deliver quality work.
Marian said…
ack, the river of secrets is a very heavy burden.
Anonymous said…
damn fine write, Susie ~ M
Susan said…
Well said! "the hell we know" and all that. Simply gorgeous in tone, order, meter ...
Other Mary said…
Wow - stanza 2 rocks (excuse the pun) and so does the rest of this. Really powerful Susie.
Helen said…
Gets overwhelming when we try to carry those heavy burdens ~~ all alone. Beautiful poem.
Hannah said…
Wow. Susie this rocks...especially your first stanza. Excellent!
Margaret said…
Each stanza just kept getting better! You hit this out of the ball park! Yes, gossiping tongues can be horrible, but in the right setting, such a release would be quite healing - but you know that.

This poem ROCKS the challenge.
Peggy said…
Some wonderful lines in this--I agree with what all the others have said. Made me wonder, "how did she ever come up with such a creative idea." Thanks.
Kay L. Davies said…
Someone said it already, but it bears repeating, you aced this prompt. Not a pretty poem, but with a lot of guts.
K
Ella said…
I love the grit in this poem! So many great lines! I want a straight back!
Bravo!