Is This Going Somewhere?

Published on by Tosha Michelle

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Discovering his cruelty was akin
to standing on the backyard deck
ready to jump into spring grass,
soft with newness and finding instead,
coiled, the venomous blunt head of a rattle snake,
lying in wait, ready to strike out
at whatever comes within its range
of pride or insanity. She couldn’t help
notice his appeal though.
The diamond back so lush against the green. His beauty beyond report.

The snake would say she is
getting the narrative all wrong.
He may slither, but she’s the
one with the come hither,
charming him right out of his basket
with her deceptively sweet song of the sea. The snake hisses. He knows
she’s rose petals on top of bees.
She only knows how to sting.

The truth shaking its virtuous head,
give its point of view. Scolding them both.
We pick up the story from here.
Truth let’s us know that these two
are a perfect storm of toxic.
Their common language, madness.
Individually, they are both soft spoken
and kind. Subdued and well liked.
On paper, a good idea. Together, the paper turns
to a dartboard
both aimlessly trying to
out dart the other.
Years of grievances flying through
the air.

She might have been the
mouse chewed up and devoured
by his devilish mouth, or
perhaps he was the
victim of a demented siren song.

It all depends on point of view.

Gorgeous stars or bastard moon?
The truth is the light in their room.
It never changes.
Yet, they both sleep with blindfolds on
and what they don’t want to look at blurs,
in the descent of memories.
Memories best left discarded.
The bridge burnt. Falling into water
spilled with oil.
The snake and siren drown.
The undertow winks at truth.

Truth tired of the story
and with no magic potion.
Delivers an elegy to two
sweet tooth addicted to madness-
Relieved to be done
with these loons. Truth ends
the narrative here.

Epilogue

The ghost of the snake chimes in
with but…but..but..
The phantom siren sings…..
and …and…and..

-Tosha Michelle

38 thoughts on “Is This Going Somewhere?”

  4. Tosha, I had to read this wonderful poem askance, with side-eyes. You see, I’m very fearful of sssssnaaakes! But I love these gorgeous lines (my fav: “Gorgeous stars or bastard moon?”). And … thank you for introducing me to some new music — never heard of Chris and Thomas … I like this song! Hope you’re having a sunny Wednesday, 🙂

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  5. This poem makes me a bit melancholy….I hate the ending of relationships.

    “The bridge burnt . Falling into water spilled with oil” reminds me of the country song, “Over My Shoulder”,

    “It’s hard to make your way across a bridge that’s burning slow,
    over my shoulder, I see a rainbow,
    is it heaven’s way of saying I can let you go,
    Tomorrow morning I’ll be one day older,
    And you will be a memory
    One last look…over my shoulder”

    But it is true …there is always his side, her side and then the truth…..

    PS I would really love to hear you sing the aforementioned song 🙂

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      1. Delete what I said…Tanya Tucker remade Patty Loveless’s song “Over My Shoulders” from her 1994 album. I am familiar with the original Patty Loveless version and it is heartbreakingly beautiful…I think with your vocal range you would do it justice! (nothing like google to get the facts straight 🙂 !!!!)

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      3. Yes… I LOVE that song….who is singing with Faith? It is beautiful….I could hear you singing that one too 🙂
        Tonight I am searching for my Patty Loveless CD so I can listen to it on the ride to work tomorrow….

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      4. I’m not sure who’s singing with her. I tried googling it and couldn’t find anything. I hope you enjoy your CD on your commute to work. I haven’t bought a Patty Loveless in ages.

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      5. I really must thank you for reminding me of my love of country music….I finally found my patty Loveless 1994 “When Fallen Angels Fly” CD last night after much searching….what a ride I had this morning in the car singing at the top of my lungs! I think you would really enjoy the single from the cover title- “When Fallen Angels Fly”

        ” you should never try to judge me
        we have both been wrong and right,
        but I know no one’s ever loved me,
        like you’re lovin’ me tonight.

        God will save his fallen angels,
        As their broken wings He’ll mend,
        when he draws their hearts together,
        and they learn to live again,
        all their sins will be forgiven,
        in the twinkle of an eye,
        all the saints rejoice in heaven,
        when the fallen angels fly”

        For me this song represents forgiveness and speaks to our flawed humanity….yet, despite our mistakes we are still loved and have the right to be loved and have a bit of happiness, right?

        If you get a chance listen to it…..it is exquisitely beautiful and another song I could hear you sing with your father’s acoustic accompaniment…..

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      6. What a beautiful song. Thanks for sharing. I really like it. The link worked. I can just imagine the scene in the car today. I have a song fest every time I get in the car.

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      7. By the way, since we are sharing music. I came across this song recently, it was not what I was familiar with. You might know it. I thought it was really beautiful

        Hope you have a lovely day. Keep singing x

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      8. Oops…typo… that would be “as they learn to love again” ….but actually “live” works too :)!

        have a great day, Tosha!

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      9. I have never done this before so I hope it works…tried to copy the song from youtube so you can hear it…if it doesn’t work just delete this comment! But I hope it does because I think you will really enjoy it!

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      10. Wow! Great song by Rosanne Cash! Don’t you just love finding hidden gems? Thanks for sharing! And yes, I will keep belting in the shower, the car, etc….I have been doing it since I was three years old!
        btw, with your artistry in writing poems, have you ever thought of delving into song writing?
        I think your words would make great lyrics!

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      11. You sound like me. I’ve been singing everywhere and for the longest time. I have thought of venturing into writing song lyrics. I find it a bit daunting. I have no clue why.

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    1. I don’t know. I think sometimes we inadvertently burn bridges without even knowing we struck a match. I’ve never been an all-or-nothing person it takes a hell of a lot for me to write someone off. I’m going to stop now before the idioms take over.

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  12. Hey there, I think your website might be having browser compatibility
    issues. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, great blog!

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