I wear a necklace of dew
that dangles between
my breasts and takes me
by surprise, like a burglar.
I pretend it’s accidental,
time-warped, like a fly
in amber. I’ve forgotten
the password. Why does my
mind stray? The sing-song
timbre plays hurdy-gurdy,
says I’m not too clever,
my life’s half over. Who
is this shrink-wrapped
omnibus, this woman
disguised as a bookmaker?
I look long in the mirror
and watch myself think.
Tess Kincaid
November, 2010
Would you like me to read it to you?
This was lovely. I enjoyed listerning to it's melancholy smoothness. Also, I can relate to it so well. "Who is that lady in the mirror?" I ask myself, as I expect to see a youthful face which no longer exists.
ReplyDeleteDear Willow, How wonderful to hear your poetry read....such a treat. With advancing years, the size, situation and lighting of mirrors takes on a special significance....otherwise, as you write, one can be taken by surprise!
ReplyDeleteToo many unpleasent surprises lurking in my mirror - I love the images you have created here.
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to read it to us. I so enjoyed hearing your words read on that other website (sorry it escapes me just now - my mind also strays).
ReplyDeleteMy life is half over, yes quite a large thought.
How brave of you willow to be able to say 'my life is half over.' I can say my life is 3/4 over if I live to be 100. So where does that leave me.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness I am not worried about it. I am just so amazed at your ability to set this up so that you can read your poems to us. Made me think, however.
QMM
And what you see in the mirror should give you much joy..it does so for countless others..always, thanks...
ReplyDeleteWillow,
ReplyDeleteI 2nd Lynn X2.
I,m jotting a post at the present moment and I'll be back with a more cogent comment as re: the poem, if and when... Leaving for Vegas this PM.
rel
I think we all do this to a certain extent; man and woman alike.
ReplyDeleteOooh, that necklace of dew that dangles between my breasts...
ReplyDeleteWhat a vibrant word picture - I felt it!
Interesting poem -- quite thoughtful. Philosophically, the physical self is the material that eventually fades, as all of life does -- yet, it is the spirited soul that remains exuberant -- it will not fade, unless you let it. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteI always try to read your poetry as I think you might read it yourself. When I hear your voice it becomes that much more special. So poignant. This is a very special picture.
ReplyDeleteExquisite dear Willow, made moreso by your reading.
ReplyDeleteThat's gorgeous, Willow - as is the Monkey-Queen necklace. I don't know whether the parallels were intended, but it seems to me there's a certain amount of self-mockery in the way this little creature - all dressed up in diamonds and pearls - prances on the pendant.
ReplyDeleteI feel that I've questioned the face that looks back from the mirror my whole life - it's just that the question keeps changing...the answer too...
I can't look 'long' in the mirror. Only long enough to make sure my hair isn't standing on end and I don't have any veggie bits stuck in my dentures. LOL
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done. A lovely read.
-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Yes, Geoff, the parallels were intended, and I'm glad you picked up on them. I was born in the Chinese year of the monkey, thus the Monkey Queen necklace, in all its silly bling.
ReplyDeleteNice spoken out loud.
ReplyDelete... watch myself think...
something to focus on.
-J
Lovely and thought-provoking.
ReplyDeleteI look in the mirror and watch myself regret what I see.
ReplyDeleteYour version is better.
love the voice-over! technology is so cool! haha
ReplyDeletethe last line... perfectly finishing the entire piece.
Insightful poem, love the feel of that necklace, how your words create that for us. I can imagine the weight of it, I have several necklaces that are quite heavy, but I can't bear to part with them.
ReplyDelete"My life's half over."
ReplyDeleteSo's mine. But don't forget, that glass is also half-FULL.
Terresa, the particular "necklace" in this piece is a menopausal one!
ReplyDeletevery nice willow...hurdy gurdy is such a cool phrase...never too old though...
ReplyDeleteFantastic!!!
ReplyDeleteresonates with me in more than one way ;)
I love the addition of hearing you read. Wow. lovely photo and lovely poem.
ReplyDeleteI liked what you wrote, but I will have to go back to listen. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteloved hearing your voice, giving substance to the words, keeping me grounded in this moment. You have reached deep, images and objects both ethereal and substantive. Who are we?
ReplyDeleteFantastic poem of introspection.
ReplyDeleteParticularly loved
...Who
is this shrink-wrapped
omnibus, this woman
disguised as a bookmaker?
This was my first time hearing a blogger's voice.
ReplyDeleteYou've got a nice one.
And it is a nice one.
TFool
I love the way that this unravels into the corners of your mind and ends with you looking in the mirror
ReplyDeletewonderful
loved hearing you read it. i'm so stealing this idea.
ReplyDelete:)
Chinese year of the monkey, Menopause = the necklace. THIS is why I wait and reread your poems again after everyone has chimed in. My brain will start to wrap themselves around the inner meaning of poetry soon, but until then, I need someone to hold my hand. Truly a lovely, insightful poem.
ReplyDeletei loved it - the fly in amber, the forgotten password and i too watch myself think sometimes - actually right now...your poem made me think and there's a mirror in my daughter's room where i sit right now..
ReplyDeleteI loved this Willow, my favourite of yours so far, beautiful imagery and gorgeous sing song feel to the poem.
ReplyDeletewonderfully whimsical....thank you!
ReplyDeleteMargaret, you know, the necklace of "dew", of the hot flash variety. Surely some of you understand what I mean.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the mirror reflects back pleasant surprises, too.
ReplyDelete"I look long in the mirror
ReplyDeleteand watch myself think"
You strike a chord here!
Your poems do have attitude, Atwoodesque, I'd say.
Love it!
Love the fly in amber image! So many layers in this piece.
ReplyDeleteMerisi, you know how much I adore Margaret Atwood. Thanks for the huge compliment!
ReplyDelete"look long in the mirror
ReplyDeleteand watch myself think". Mmmm... I wonder if you really do. But if you mean that you are aware of the subconscious as it throw gems at you as yours clearly does, I understand.
BTW, thanks for the birthday wishes! Still working up the (silly) birthday poem. :-)
Lovely poem - I especially like your mind wandering. Even last night I was chastising myself for not keeping on task in my own brain. My necklace of dew isn't a necklace - it's a mustache! Makes it hard to put makeup on some days LOL.
ReplyDeleteThe words 'hurdy gurdy' remind me of the monkey music box in Phantom! Your poem is entrancing ... a reminder that life is precious.
ReplyDeleteNo long looks in the mirror for me ~ I am in the homestretch.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, TK.
Really loved it.
But could you talk slower...I'm from...well, you know. ;)
We could all stand to spend some time in the mirror watching ourselves think must of don't know ourselves very well! Great as always Willow!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to show this one to my sister, Claudia, who's having intense hot flashes these days! This is poignant and very touching, Tess. I feel like I'm seeing a different human being when I look in the mirror these days! What is it they say--that every seven years, all of our cells are completely different--so I suppose I AM a different person!
ReplyDeleteWillow, dear one, when those
ReplyDeletemenopausal dew bubbles became
pearls dangling between your
breasts--you hooked me; the rest
of the poem could have been a
recipe for corn bread; it just did
not matter. Your introspective
nature engages us, and your poetic
honestly thrills us, and your language
puts us in naked awe of your talent;
/the sing-song/timbre plays hurdy-
gurdy/ puts my mind mid-rainbows,
plunged into Victorian carnivals.
Your view of middle age, hopefully
as an apex or vertex, hits home with
most of us. Thanks for the peek inside.
Bling, indeed.
ReplyDeleteoh that mirror, it seems to catch me too.
ReplyDeleteI can't seem to get past that first line! Oh yes, the line "the sing-song timbre plays hurdy gurdy" also captivated me.
ReplyDeleteThis is tremendous. I am only beginning to learn how to look in the mirror myself. It's taken a while....
ReplyDeleteThose mirrors can be decieving... or tell more than the truth than we care to hear.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome poem. I think we all need a necklace like that!
ReplyDeleteIndeed beautiful poem, Willow. I love your poetry! And, please, your life cannot be half over?
ReplyDeleteAh I love audio bytes so nice to hear what bloggers sound like. Don't look in the mirror. I find it very youthful.
ReplyDeletethis is like a prehistoric treasure, willow! it deserves a writerly contemplation.
ReplyDeleteThe necklace of 'dew' is an apt image, Willow. I too enjoyed the reading. The flatline put me in mind (again) of the Plath BBC readings. Go listen to them, they are on U-tube.
ReplyDeleteI take that back! I have just listened to a few of them again - she is much too melodramatic. I prefer your style.
ReplyDeleteVery nice,,,some melancholy,,,sweet poem!
ReplyDeleteImages come to mind. I feel you are very comfortable in your skin. And as comfortable looking at that mirror. Me? I have 3 hugh mirrors im my bedroom alone. So, I guess that says a lot. No, I am not the vain fussypot type!
ReplyDeleteHow can a forever young poet think her life is half over . . . ?
ReplyDeleteThats a beautiful piece... Absolutely loved it!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day:)
After reading the poem (twice) I glanced back at the title and decided it was pure genius.
ReplyDeleteYou have made some more changes to your blog, I enjoyed looking around and still think of your blog as one of the classiest blogs around.
ReplyDeleteThat is very poignant & beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLiked the juxtaposition of old images(fly in amber, hurdy gurdy) with modern(password, bling,shrink-wrapped) Excellent, short, direct, and effective work. Glad to have found Magpie, and your site.
ReplyDeleteYou use such beautiful words in this poem. I pictured myself in front of a mirror, feeling the necklace around my neck. Your words had that effect. :)
ReplyDelete"..The sing-song
ReplyDeletetimbre plays hurdy-gurdy,
says I’m not too clever,
my life’s half over.." Must be the mentioned of a hurdy-gurdy that conjures thoughts of Donovan.
Beautiful Tess... you & the words. It was lovely hearing you read your poetry!
ReplyDeleteThat necklace would make one stop and think about things! Nice Magpie.
ReplyDeletethe bling carries a story... i love the image of that willow... a new you has emerged within you... excellent magpie this week and when i saw you were first could not help but to pass by... glad i did...
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this whimsical piece. :)
ReplyDeleteElegant and poignant metaphor. Your reading enhances the words and the layers.
ReplyDeleteA satisfying poem and a clever extended metaphor.
ReplyDeletelovely...I went a totally different direction!
ReplyDeletebeautiful wonders.
ReplyDeletewell done tale...
It was lovely listening to you read it. Mirrors are to be avoided the older you get. Nice Magpie.
ReplyDeleteHeya! Sorry for me not doing my poem soon. My poem is at http://inkflowsforth.tumblr.com/ if you want to comment on it! This is a secondary blog which I blog every other day. I hope you like it!!
ReplyDeleteThis poem...really speaks to me...actually brought tears to my eyes..can I identify...
ReplyDeleteI am transferring my position within my field...a leap for sure... to a brand new office with young intelligent and sweet women...they think I am much younger than I am..not because of looks..by personna...auras are ageless.
Poetry is so nourishing to my mind and I am so glad to have found your blog! Truly lights up my insight ignited by yours.
ReplyDeletethought provoking.. I loved it..
ReplyDelete--Someone Is Special--
When poets read their work it makes so much more sense. There is sense and emotion in the voice which the paper version does not convey. Loved the reading. I could be blind (like my sailing mate)and still i could enjoy great writing. That's something of a relief.
ReplyDeleteThanks again, dear readers. The pleasure is certainly all mine. I love to share my poetry with you. xox
ReplyDeleteWillow i so enjoy hearing you read your beautiful poetry...it adds something special to it....this one is so captivating and thought provoking...so many questions to ponder here....ones we all ask...in the mirror...truly a lovely poem! :-)
ReplyDeleteI loved hearing the poem read. It was a great poem and the reading made it even more special. This evokes a lot of emotion and thought. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteWillow, I loved this prompt. And hearing your voice read the poem was a special treat. The prompt spoke to me this week and this was a good time to jump back in. Thinking of life being half over is startling; hmmmmmm so startling to consider that. Where's my 20 year old face??
ReplyDeleteperfection
ReplyDeleteGreat imagry and such real feelings echoed.
"I look long in the mirror
ReplyDeleteand watch myself think."
ah, a challenging thing. Sounds like you are getting to know a stranger. So many of us too busy to slow down long enough to hear our own words, to look into our own eyes.
Brilliant poem. I so want to hear to read it too. need to get eh link issue worked out--it is on my end as I am using a proxy to surf since I am in a public setting.
ReplyDelete