Dry Land
A poem about first hurts and second chances
My ribs hold an old war zone,
Each vein is a fray,
For they did snap like taut rope
When I'd beg him to stay.
My love was once a lush town,
A spot to live, work and play
But his last lie was a nuke
That blew all life away.
.
Now no one can swim here
In the dust of the wash,
For you can’t sip arid wind,
Or grip bone-dry moss.
This sere, sun-hot rock bed
Will weep no more for the loss.
Won’t shed one last tear,
Dry to the last drop.
.
No one will walk here
Bare of foot on jade land,
Or clip a stem of blue lily
To hold in his hand,
For all who make this trek now
Just dig big pits in vast sand
As they seek some lost gold,
Or any form not that man's.
.
Best not even to lie here
Gaze cast way up high,
Mind keen to spin yarn
From milk-wisp in the sky,
For this pall of gray smog
Will give red to the eye.
Best not to love me, now.
Best not even to try.
.
But if you must stay in this ruin,
If you must give us a shot,
Then grab your hoe and rake,
Dig out a new plot,
And if one day you see a bud
Poke its head out of the rot,
Don't you dare half-ass it.
Rain with all that you got.
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Comments (46)
A poignant poem that vividly depicts the aftermath of a shattered love and its impact on the emotional landscape. check out my horror-thriller story of vanishing villages. links: https://vocal.media/horror/vanishing-villages-unexplained-abandonment-across-continents
Powerful! Well written :)
Incredible. Such vivid and thought provoking language. Well done.
Morgana, this was such a beautiful poem that was a metaphor for the walls we put up after a major heartbreak! Your imagery is vivid and beautifully described, this made for a great read! Also late congratulations on Top Story, this was well deserved! 🎉
This is beautiful and powerful. Amazing 💕
Wow, just wow!! That was truly a piece of art, a living breathing thing you brought to life. Loved this so much, Morgana! Congrats on the Top Story!!
Powerful. Love the way you write, and congrats on your top story!
Belated congrats on Top Story! 🥂 And I’m sure I’ll be back here to congratulate you for placing in the challenge. This was everything a poem should be with the vivid imagery, metaphor, and structure but it was also a short story. I could feel it all. Can’t believe you did this within the constraints of the challenge, that’s sorcery!
Congratulations on the top story!
Your skill is like breathing air. Great work. Congrats!
I've been there and it took me a long time for my little flower to begin to rise again.
I loved this! Congratulations on the Top Story!
Breathtaking work. Congratulations! 🌹🌹🌹
Amazing, love the way you utilized words :)
Ummm, simply "Wow!" This poem says it all, beautifully articulated heartbreak that sets a boundary for return in the most poetically punching way. Congratulations on Top Story!
What a powerful way to write about the end of one love and the possible start of another. I enjoyed how you compared it to a town that went from lush and thriving to deserted.
Emotionally powerful and eloquently shared. Nice work.
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Amazing with gut punch at the end. ♥️♥️♥️ Congratulations on your top story too ♥️ ❤️
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Woow Amazing, love the nice use of words
Fantastic piece 📝❤️💯 Congratulations on your Top Story 🎉
the poem about the dry land caused by the long drought, is very good...I have read it and you also read my story, thank you, greetings.
Phenomenal entry. You have taken it to the next level with these verses. I cannot believe it’s all 4 letters or less. And the rhyming is astonishing. The extended metaphor is stunningly manifested and that ending is perfect. This was an absolute pleasure to read. 🤯🥳👏👏👏
“But his last lie was a nuke That sent all life away.” Incredible.