Tuesday, September 20, 2011

while the instrument plays

The Snake Charmer, Henri Rousseau, 1907






















I yearn for an opal ring
with a verve
I want to strengthen my bonds
with that snake charmer
I fake a yawn
while my heart races
he rubs his fingertips on his instrument
while I pick the threads
in the mirror of snake eyes
his muse has raw edge
in the corridors of betrayal
he offers sheep to the snakes

"I find omen in that dull opal ring,
thrust that dagger deep into him"

33 comments:

Kathy B. said...

Wow, this is a little scary, well done!

sage said...

Nice--I like the darkness and animals that lurk in Rousseau's paintings.

Anonymous said...

I like how the poem and Rousseau's painting compliment each other -- your poem seems almost ekphrastic in nature. And it seems to me to speak to a shame that anyone who takes a "road less traveled" -- an alternate choice, especially something not favored by society or even frown upon -- battles with just. We women aren't supposed to like snakes or their charmer -- but this is all unsaid.

-Nicole

Unknown said...

Excellent piece. The ending brilliantly devised and placed. Thanks for the read

Sheilagh Lee said...

wow creepy and scary at the same time wonderfully done.

vivinfrance said...

A superb use of the wordle words - It is dark, sensuous and mysterious.

Laurie Kolp said...

A perfect combination of several prompts all woven into a masterpiece!

flaubert said...

Oh, Gautami what a beautifully, dark
piece of writing.

Pamela

Traci B said...

An ominous piece that fits the painting well.

Strummed Words said...

Powerful feelings in your imagery!

Deborah said...

Rich and brilliantly done!

Marianne said...

An opal ring with a verve ... I can see it, flashing and sparkling with fire. Perfect image. Your poem is packed with splendid details.

Mariya Koleva said...

Sophisticated and thought-provoking as usual, Gautami - I always love your poems. Greetings! M.

Anonymous said...

love your words!

mareymercy said...

Wow, this is really beautiful!

Linda Jacobs said...

Woah, didn't see that ending coming. Powerful!

brenda w said...

Exquisitely constructed and dark. Just how I like them. lol --So glad you are doing the wordle each week with us.
Brenda

Andy Sewina said...

You're so masterful, Gautami!

<3

christopher said...

You are very good. Your vision is both unique and powerful. I imagine you would be an absolute master if I were able to read your native tongue.

Reflections said...

Fascinating piece... find the darkness of this one rather intriguing.

Mike Patrick said...

You have drawn great power from the prompts.

Old Egg said...

Your narrator is trying hard not to be a sheep. All of Rousseau's paintings seem to have a calming quality about them, has she been fooled? This is such a beautiful and deep poem.

Intelliblog said...

Thank you for your kind comments on my blog!
This is a wonderful poem and I particularly liked the use of "opal" in your poem and it immediately took me to the opaline moon in the sky.

Medhini said...

beautiful spin of words... i was lost in the web of ur imaginations....

hyperCRYPTICal said...

Lovely dark words.

Anna :o]

Erratic Thoughts said...

Oh man...just beautiful words and scary image!

Jae Rose said...

Shepherding snakes..what an amazing..head spinning thought..Jae

FirstTimeMother said...

Well you used the 3WW words very well in just a few lines....
Like your poem :)
Take care !!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

amazing one..

spooky imagery.

Alice Audrey said...

Great description of a character I'd be leery of.

Helena said...

Captivating. I just love the line:

"while I pick the threads in the mirror of snake eyes"

Peggy said...

Rousseau's painting goes perfectly with this poem, but even the poem alone creates such atmosphere. Excellent. Thanks for visiting my blog as well!

Willow said...

Erotic, loser.