She sprinkled his acid remarks with nectar,
then used his moans to gauge the supple acumen of her craft.
She soothed him.
Advancing alchemical reactions,
her oiled hands heated his shoulders
until juices from his acid tongue
dripped holes into the yellow linoleum
below the healing table.
It quieted his tongue.
Ameliorating pain
her fingers manipulated knots—
vibrating and tenderizing acid into
sugar’s sweet joy.
Holy smoke spiraled yellow
dissipating as it swept his body’s length ,
while the alchemist masseuse
impeded his pain, humming as she
pulverized knots and acid thoughts,
then sent him into the world,
where without thinking,
he tipped his hat to a passing stranger
while humming the lines of her hands.
Brenda Warren 2012
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
These words ke
pt twirling into darkness, until I set them in the hands of a masseuse. To see where other people took the words, visit The Sunday Whirl. You’ll be glad that you did.
undercaws 
My friend recently completed her massage course and i was fascinated by all the science involved. really IS alchemy involved.
Love the last line. a satisfied customer indeed!
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I like the repetition of acid: acid remarks, acid tongue, acid thoughts. And “humming the lines of her hands” is a spectacular line! Great poem, Brenda! I would never guess the words gave you trouble.
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I continue to be astounded by the variety, wit, and beauty of the entries in your Wordles! Your contribution is exquisite. If you have the name and number of this particular masseuse, then please send it to me! I could definitely use that type of massage – and the sooner the better! 😆
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You went in a unique direction with this, Brenda. It works well, and the last line sticks with you.
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I could definitely use a massage like that! Nice write!
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Wonderful, Brenda, love it all, and the last line rocks, “while humming the lines of her hands.”
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Oh, indeed…I’ve been ameliorated by such hands…..and I do believe I have hummed their lines.
…you captured a good massage so well…the only other thing to say: “Yes, please!” 😉
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I love how you had no trouble at all with acid…that one threw me for a loop! You have really captured the essence of a good masseuse. Really well done.
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I was continually amazed as I read, and the ending is unexpected, sweet. This has such a quiet, amelioriating tone, Brenda. I really liked the line “It quieted his tongue”.
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I had to look up ameliorating! That he should hum her tune…and be transformed!
The title was a grabber for sure. Great take on your wordle list! Enjoy ever sentence!
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I can feel the tension seeping out. And I learned a new word – ameliorating:-) Wonderful writing!
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Brenda, I just love the ending “humming the lines of her hand.” I smile at the idea of an alchemist’s masseuse, but it sure worked.
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I really need a massage…
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🙂
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This is gorgeous. I like how I wasn’t sure where you would be going… 😉
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Wow – it doesn’t seem like you had a problem with these words … I love your take on them … am impressed with anyone who can work ameliorating into anything with such ease …
http://thepoet-tree-house.blogspot.ca/2012/03/should-luna-soar.html
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Really wonderful!
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Oh, could so use one of those…well done.
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Beautifully done! I love it. And I especially love the yellow thread that you wove into the piece!
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Brenda, this is brilliant. The alchemy of massage, as Richard said, it does unfold beautifully.
Pamela
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Brenda, a delightful read. It just unfolded so well. I like how you keep coming back to acid – his remarks, tongue, and thoughts – and how her massage sweetened him. Love the last stanza, especially that last line.
Richard
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Great title. Having lived where I could and did get massages every Sunday for a number of years, I can attest to the alchemy. Love your closing line.
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I could do with a bit of that alchemical massage on my lower back after only three days of small doses of gardening. Great poem.
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I am laughing with joy and amazement after reading your poem! I think the alchemist masseuse has touched me in some mysterious way, “pulveriz[ing] knots and acid thoughts.” I don’t know how she did it, but, hey, that’s alchemy for you! Delightful read! Well done!
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