On a portrait of a handcuffed woman

[Assaf1981]

A young woman,

In her bare feet

In a hospital gown,

Tries on a pair

Of shiny bracelets-

One for one wrist,

And the other;

That’s for the pipe!

Nowhere to go!

And yet her face;

Not a fearful look,

But a stoic look.

And her left arm,

Reaching behind her.

What’s she doing?

Perhaps she believes

She’s able to escape?

If so, how so?

Perhaps a key

Hidden in her gown?

How very clever!

If I could, though,

I’d like to tell her

To watch herself,

For whatever captors

Hold her can

Surely return!

 

Edited November 12, 2022 by Assaf1981
Attaching a photo

[David W. Parsley]

Interesting ekphrastic, Assaf.  (Leaves me wondering how she might have gotten a key, but it sure would come in handy!)  This almost reads like flash fiction, could benefit from the superposition of more poetic elements like internal rhyme and metaphor, specifics unique to this particular individual.

Cheers,
- Dave
 

[Assaf1981]

4 hours ago, David W. Parsley said:

Interesting ekphrastic, Assaf.  (Leaves me wondering how she might have gotten a key, but it sure would come in handy!)  This almost reads like flash fiction, could benefit from the superposition of more poetic elements like internal rhyme and metaphor, specifics unique to this particular individual.

Cheers,
- Dave
 

Thank you. I was just reading about that word, 'Ekphrastic', and oh my wrestling, I love that word! From now on, ALL my poems will be based on that!

[tonyv]

Psychological horror?!? I love it! (I happen to be a fan of the "genre." 😉) And I'm pleased that you've included an illustration, what I love to characterize as "album art" whenever it accompanies a poem here on the forum.

I really want to know what's going on in her head in this moment as she awaits my return. Is she ready to party? I love how she lets me pretend that I'm in charge ...

Tony