The Ice Cutters, 1911 Natalia Goncharova |
When your name
trembles upon my lips -
spikes a fever within,
I treat it with Hennessy -
an elixir that burns,
numbs my heart frigid
for a night.
Perhaps a second dose
as you rarely stay 'till morn.
An iced heart feels no pain.
Heat and ice -
neither a fine bedfellow make
…yet I'm totally addicted.
by Margaret Bednar, December 19, 2013
This is for "The Mag #198" - a selected weekly featured image to inspire poetry or short prose. I started out writing something totally different - I think the only word I saved from that first attempt is frigid. I think we have to say my poem is loosely based on the above image :)
Also linked with "Friday Flash 55"- a story (or poem) in exactly 55 words.
20 comments:
'numbs my heart frigid for a night' is my favorite line.
Oh just get over it!
runzzzzzzzzz
Actually, I really like this!
Ha -- neither heat nor ice make a fine bed-fellow, though in winter admittedly I would prefer heat. Smiles.
Thanks for your comment at my blog, Margaret. I do like your tradition. It makes sense to me & also honors the spirit of the season!
Ha ha, Fireblossom. I actually wrote fiction this week - as I would never put up with such a drivel of a man…
A relationship like that must rather be avoided. Interesting write.
That addicting aspect gives it quite a sensual tone.
-HA
I love it! Glad I'm not the only one that wrote a non-Christmas poem. :-)
Totally addicted evermore!
Loved this, Margaret. Sometimes we need a little something to dull the pain. Ice cutting - just typing that makes me shiver!
As a child, my Aunt Mary came to live with us. She was born in 1884 and lived in Alpena. She often told of a story that I'll never forget. It seems that some ice cutters overloaded the ice wagon and it broke through the ice dragging the horses into the frigid water. She said that she would never forget the horrific sounds those poor horses made. ( how's that for an uplifting tale?)
Loved your 55
Hennessy does burn doesn't it?
You Rock The World Margaret
Have a 'Laid Back' Kick Ass Week-End
Your loyal friend... Galen
Sounds like love to me. Great 55.
image and your poem both lovely!
'An iced heart feels no pain' - powerful line! Hennessy probably helps, until it no longer does and one is left with feelings that are even more acute.
Such an interesting juxtaposition between the ice heart and the fever within. Yours is a very original interpretation of the painting.
Fire and ice is a bad combination for both--fire melts ice and the resultant goopy slush puts out fire, if you happen to be playing a rock/paper/scissors kind of analogy game. This is very effective, short and sharp, Margaret. Happy holidays to you and yours.
Love it! It reminds me of a poem I wrote in college that compared a kiss to a shot of whiskey.
Two-fer ... and a grand one!
I know its fiction but you bring real passion here. A really interesting take on the painting and a wonderful painting.
Heat, then ice, a de-flametory procedure for the muscle ! Hhmmm, that's very sensuous ! :) Faithfully Debbie
"Loosely based" works for me, Margaret. :D
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