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Maelstrom

Maelstrom
A genie and her rock band

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Steal Tomorrow

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Murder, Mystery, First Love, and the End of the World

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Barter


You would pay me
in the same coin
as the others:
vacuous words,
meaningless,
mendacious,
manipulative,
as short on truth
as they are sumptuous
in praise
and empty flattery.

Whether I be
sassy and vivacious,
or solemn and mundane,
your language is the same,
as if I were:
automaton,
everygirl,
just another double-x
to swoon at generic promises
slathered on
without regard
to what is real.

Oh, master of shopworn formula,
I reject your payment.
And you, with singular charm,
deflect all efforts
at barter.

I doubt you'll reconsider,
but if
on some violet evening,
you have a change of heart,
please ask me who I am.
I'll look at the stars
spread like diamonds
across a vibrant sky,
then take your hand
and make a deal:
Trust me
with the currency
of your truth.
I will guard it closely
to my heart,
and give you mine.

This was written for Sunday Scribblings and The Sunday Whirl.

11 comments:

Berowne said...

Beautiful, and rather powerful...


September 15, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Maude Lynn said...

Smooth as silk with steel underneath. Love it!

September 15, 2013 at 12:51 PM
Alice Audrey said...

If only more females were smart enough. Then his generic lines wouldn't work at all, and maybe he'd get the hint.

September 15, 2013 at 2:00 PM
brenda w said...

That second stanza contains a truth. You express it exceedingly well.

I like the ending under the expanse of the night sky.

September 15, 2013 at 2:37 PM
Sabra Bowers said...

Like the story your poem tells and its powerful ending. Great wordle.

September 15, 2013 at 4:01 PM
daphnepurpus said...

Powerful! I like the story you tell.

September 15, 2013 at 4:20 PM
Old Egg said...

This is a beautiful tale but still I feel that hurt is on its way. However for us observers it is a stunning read

September 15, 2013 at 9:05 PM
Jae Rose said...

The violet evening softens the weight of this trade..as others say a beautiful blend of strength and thoughtful tender..

September 16, 2013 at 8:20 AM
Lady In Read said...

especially loved the last stanza..
beautifully written

September 16, 2013 at 10:09 AM
Vanessa Victoria Kilmer said...

The common language of commerce makes the esoteric so much more powerful.

September 16, 2013 at 12:07 PM
zanzinece said...

Amen Sister! Especially dig “…but if on some violet evening you have a change of heart…” Practically edible, that!

September 16, 2013 at 5:50 PM

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