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Some Days You Need a Ballad

 For The Sunday Muse #178, hosted by the ever amazing Shay.



Truth is melting and I'm watching us drown
There's a concrete lip; there's always an edge
But I'm in the salt, in the water, in that gown

We're both edge people, both lurkers, quiet
So float the plate of appetizers gentle to me
We'll watch the waters dine, toast their diet

Maybe we'll find our edge, catch hold again
Find our footing in this new damp dance
Give the edge a final shove; kick into a spin 

Clean these foundations by leaving them
Learn to breathe by remembering to swim.

This week my craft brain has been focused on the realization that you really shouldn't tell family members you have a room if they need it if you haven't actually cleaned that room out. Fortunately (for all of us?), those particular people have a holy horror of Houston and we were all spared an episode of "Everything in Plastic Tubs, NOW." On the other hand, there's something to be said for spending a few hours listening to the stuff you listened to in high school and cleaning your room. Back to the tubs!

-- chrissa

Comments

  1. FireblossomSeptember 18, 2021 at 6:29 AM

    Clever, and I love how that spin ended up!

    and thanks for the kind adjective at the top. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. indybevSeptember 18, 2021 at 9:03 AM

    AH, it is good to always have plastic tubs at hand!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Carrie Van HornSeptember 18, 2021 at 12:42 PM

    I can relate to this poem greatly, especially after this week. We missed you last week, and I do hope that you are feeling better. Glad you were spared the plastic tubs and company. As always your poetry is deep and full of amazing images to think on.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Marion HortonSeptember 19, 2021 at 2:16 AM

    Stunning write. 'Truth is melting and I'm watching us drown.' - an arresting first line.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gillena CoxSeptember 19, 2021 at 7:30 AM

    Luv the way you twerked your metaphor. And that opening verse - BRAVO!!!

    THANKS FOR DROPPING BY MY BLOG

    much💖love

    ReplyDelete
  6. Myrna R.September 19, 2021 at 8:45 AM

    Loved it all, especially your first and last lines.
    I can relate to your predicament. Glad your company never needed your room.

    ReplyDelete
  7. ms_liliSeptember 19, 2021 at 9:41 AM

    In my mind I saw two people floating on inflatable chaise loungers in a pool.

    ReplyDelete
  8. HelenSeptember 19, 2021 at 2:39 PM

    'Edge people / lurkers' ~~~ conjures up all sorts of thoughts and images. As always, you give us lots to think about, Chrissa.

    ReplyDelete
  9. TruedessaSeptember 19, 2021 at 3:15 PM

    I was thinking of the recent rising waters and floods. Everything floating around and thankful for
    the plastic tubs to keep things dry.

    ReplyDelete
  10. JimSeptember 20, 2021 at 3:48 AM

    "
    "both edge people, both lurkers"
    We sad side by side on the back row in Differential Equations. She never knew I had a crush on her, did she care for me? At any rate I won't forget her, scraggly hair, barefoot, a yellow dog staying at the stairs for her return, and smart as all get out, and nice. Does she remember me? I hope so but we won't meet again.
    And I don't remember her name.
    ..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JimSeptember 20, 2021 at 3:53 AM

      Oh yes, my dad lived to be 97 but he wouldn't come to Houston and live in our spare room. Neither would Mrs. Jim's mom but we kidnapped her and had a senior appartment for her in Conroe. She loved it.
      ..

      Delete
  11. hedgewitchSeptember 20, 2021 at 6:04 AM

    Great first line, and the rest does not disappoint. This picture says so many things, and I found it difficult to pick any out with clarity when I considered it, but you managed to do so perfectly. I love the images of breathing water, finding the edge, and watching the waters dine.

    ReplyDelete

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