8.02.2010

Magpie Monday Matinee.

  
And it's a double feature --

(A prompt so nice . . . I had to write twice!)






1.

Her childhood kept its secrets

long after she left --

her questions unanswered

fears unmet, the lurk of a spider

spinning noiselessly along its stretch of hall

aloneness, a black yawn of tunnel

always at her back

 these things she carried as she went

an unturned lock whose dark slot

continued to beg a key

its voice too small,

too quiet for anyone to answer.




(Or, if you prefer . . .) 




2.

Wear it on a chain
or put it in a quiet pocket
snapped or safely buttoned shut
but first be sure
you want in, then keep
the key I give you.

You can listen there,
ear pressed against the dark hole
searching for a snatch of light
or sound, something that speaks.

You can peer
into that small round night
of secrets, try to pick me open
but you cannot come
and go as you please.

I am not for passing through,
a wave as you go by
a wind in the keyhole
to knock me away
you'll have to stay, kept in
or locked out as you wish.

--smh







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14 comments:

Allie said...

Susan, you have far too much talent for one person - these are wonderful!

Elizabeth said...

These two are gems. Thank you for sharing.

Helen said...

Both offerings are wonderful and impossible to choose between. I agree with Allie regarding your talent..

Kathe W. said...

perfecto! I like "em both!

Karen S said...

Love 'em both -- nice!

luanne said...

Your poems continue to amaze me.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

two, how cool!
your energy is obvious,
your talent is evident!

Stafford Ray said...

'I am not for passing through, a wave as you go by a wind in the keyhole to knock me away you'll have to stay, kept in or locked out as you wish.'

Yes, I like this one more. Words from someone who knows what he/she wants so take it or leave it!

Anonymous said...

Both are charming, but I just loved this stanza in the second:

"I am not for passing through,
a wave as you go by
a wind in the keyhole
to knock me away
you'll have to stay, kept in
or locked out as you wish"

Anonymous said...

Loved them both Susan. So are so talented!

ninotaziz said...

In the spirit of your magpies, I loved the second best of all.

Lovely, lovely, lovely.

Tess Kincaid said...

Wow, a double feature! Thank you! Your muse must be in rare form this week!

susan m hinckley said...

Thanks, everyone -- that's an awful lot of kindness and encouragement. And I could use it this stressful week, so I'm going to slip it in my pocket and pull it out now and then when I need it! Cheers!

Tumblewords: said...

A lovely double! Lovely!

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