Where The Yew Needles The Moon

My mind climbs the mountain of dreams
where the yew needles the moon
to drip candle light into the blackness.

Dressed in the garments of sin and lies
night breaks the lock of my weakness
and seduces resistance with glittered tongue.

In a sea of broken bottles I drink the foam
splashing against amber glass until
I forget I ever cried for rescue.

Lying half drowned in the wilds of sapphire I cling white knuckled
to excuses burning their way across my lips and pray
they will silence the condemnation of conscience.


©Susie Clevenger 2014

Brendan at Real Toads offered us a list of words from Sylvia Plath's The Moon and the Yew Tree as inspiration for our poetry. Get Listed With Brendan ~ Moon Madness


Comments

Unknown said…
Bam!!! Very Plathesque. such vivid rich images and words usage. the first stanza leaps out at you great write.
January 15, 2014 at 2:46 PM
Anonymous said…
Great imagery. The excuses appear unbeknownst to the clinging self.
Wonderful writing.
-HA
January 15, 2014 at 2:54 PM
Anonymous said…
So there's a conspiracy going on here between the yew and the moon, a pair whose send is the seduction of a weak will. No wonder so many fall and break where they're sharpest; no wonder the emergency room is cranking on the night of the full moon. Fierce write.
January 15, 2014 at 2:58 PM
hedgewitch said…
As always, Susie, your use of color and natural imagery is superb. You also get that Plath-ian feel to the emotions, that anger underneath that sours and saddens even great beauty. Esp like the 'sea of broken bottles' stanza.
January 15, 2014 at 3:40 PM
Billy Blue Eyes said…
That is beautiful, you can drink in the words
January 15, 2014 at 3:41 PM
Unknown said…
Really like the last stanza. Can just imagine someone with their lips moving quickly, silently trying to find peace.
January 15, 2014 at 3:42 PM
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Wowzers, Susie, so real I almost called 9-1-1! I so love how "the yew needles the moon" and the "wilds of sapphire".
January 15, 2014 at 3:46 PM
my heart's love songs said…
oh, this is brilliant, Susie! what a seduction! love this take on the prompt!
♥
January 15, 2014 at 4:14 PM
revelations said…
great take on the prompt.. lots of imagery through out.. throw in the emotion and you penned a great pice..
January 15, 2014 at 5:50 PM
Margaret said…
Well, the titel is a wonderful twist, and the bewitchment almost seems nice … until the bitter ending. Definitely has a Plath edge to it! Nice.
January 15, 2014 at 7:22 PM
steph said…
Oooh.. one of my favorites.. the middle stanzas especially.. that you ever cried for rescue and drinking the foam.. I love that. So well done!
January 15, 2014 at 8:36 PM
Vandana Sharma said…
The deep cries for rescue will definitely be heard.
January 15, 2014 at 9:03 PM
Sumana Roy said…
wonderful imagery all over...a rich poetic experience....
January 16, 2014 at 12:30 AM
Kerry O'Connor said…
This is something completely different, Susie. Your use of list words has produce a wonderfully original poem.
January 16, 2014 at 9:04 AM
Grace said…
Unique title and sharp & crisp response to the challenge Susie ~ Particularly awed with last two verses ~
January 16, 2014 at 9:37 AM
Anonymous said…
the yew needles the moon
love that
and your ending is great.
January 16, 2014 at 10:29 AM
Anne V said…
Oh my. This hit me between the eyes..."until I forget I ever cried for rescue"... Gut-wrenching pathos.
January 16, 2014 at 11:32 AM
Preeti S. said…
They will manage to silence the conscience, but only temporarily. Brilliant poetry. Enjoyed reading it. :)
January 16, 2014 at 12:18 PM
Helen said…
Really ... this is overwhelming and beautifully composed!
January 16, 2014 at 9:39 PM
Jim said…
Hi Susie ~~ I like this and had to read it several time for it all to sift in. My favorite line is "In a sea of broken bottles I drink the foam," couple with the thought of that nasty brown bottle and doing it continuously until it became delightful. That was over and above my expectations.
..
January 16, 2014 at 10:57 PM
Anonymous said…
scorching final line, Susie ~
January 17, 2014 at 4:57 PM
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