Popping oblivion’s cork, she smiles
unaware of later darkness,
stories that she never wants to hear.
Dancing with liquidity her spirit wafts
through elemental games of chance
bellowing sparks to flames.
Ashes to ashes
to ashes to be
anything else but me,
she sings,
anything else but me.
Her defiant ground recedes
to roiling dreams from ancient seas
bruising morning’s body to the floor.
She places her strength
low on the hearth
stacked among shadows ‘tween bottles of self.
She stares at the ceiling
and screams.
Brenda Warren 2016
Visit The Sunday Whirl
undercaws 
That last stanza is such a shocker, Brenda!
LikeLike
Those bottles of self are haunting – as is the scream – a powerful and unflinching poem
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haunting and debilitating, I think. Thank you for your comment; I’ll take powerful and unflinching any day. 😉
LikeLike
Wow! Powerful poem, with a startling ending.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sara.
LikeLike
“Dancing with liquidity” is so delicious 🙂 and I just adore the whole entire second stanza….it flows with such lyricism. Utterly lovely.
LikeLike
This one went through multiple drafts, especially that second stanza. I appreciate your comment, CC. Thanks.
LikeLike
Brenda, yes, this is powerful. I especially like the ending. Thanks for asking me to join you in word association this week. ❤
Pamela
LikeLike
Thank you, Pamela. The words worked for both of us this week. Perhaps we should associate them more often!
LikeLike
Whew! And yes, I want more,
Elizabeth
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Elizabeth. I’ll give it some thought. With NaPo around the corner, I’m just glad I came up with something this week.
LikeLike
You’ve whetted my appetite for more of this story. A powerful wordle poem.
LikeLike
Thank you, Viv.
LikeLike
I think our pieces go together!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just reread yours, and can see the connection. Thanks for stopping by to read and respond.
LikeLike