Signature of a Scar

I couldn't resist doing something special for the big blog party happening this weekend, hosted by Magaly Guerrero, Emma Yardis and me. It's open to artists and artisans of all sorts, just be sure your work is centered around the theme of scars. Interested? Go to Madame Magaly's page for the details and add your name to Mr. Linky.

In the meantime, here's a small poem I created to get people in the mood. Just click on the link to enjoy or read the full piece undereath the link.









Scars are memories you see
written on flesh,
visible and touchable.

They are dividing
lines declaring,
"There was a before, but

I am here
alive in the after."

The world turns away 
from any reminders
that we must all die.

But a scar can suggest
that day has not happened yet,

and there is no point in crawling
into pre-dug graves
when there are signs on our skins
telling us we can survive.

Song Choice: Empty Bottle by Ingrid Michaelson

This poem is linked up to Imaginary Gardens With Real Toads' Tuesday Platform






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41 comments:

  1. Anmol (HA)October 23, 2018 at 7:33 AM

    Oh, scars are indeed symbols of survival — they are a testimony to our histories of struggle and pain and how we survived them. "I am here/alive in the after": I love the strength in your poetic voice. Also, I enjoyed the reading.
    -HA

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    Replies
    1. RommyOctober 27, 2018 at 5:51 PM

      Thanks HA. Every now and again I like to record my pieces. 😊

      Delete
  2. Debra She Who SeeksOctober 23, 2018 at 7:58 AM

    Love that last stanza! LOVE IT!

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    1. RommyOctober 27, 2018 at 5:53 PM

      Thanks Debra. I was happy with how it turned out.

      Delete
  3. ThotpurgeOctober 23, 2018 at 8:04 AM

    Scars are memories you see
    written on flesh... just love that opening line.. !

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    Replies
    1. RommyOctober 27, 2018 at 5:56 PM

      Thanks Thotpurge. I thought of my C section scar when I wrote it. I definitely have strong memories of that day

      Delete
  4. Sanaa RizviOctober 23, 2018 at 10:02 AM

    I LOVE this!💞 The idea that a scar can suggests that a day has not happened yet is beautiful and poignant 😊

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  5. Kim M. RussellOctober 23, 2018 at 3:24 PM

    Brilliant, Rommy! Scars are memories written on flesh; 'a scar can suggest / that day has not happened yet'; and 'signs on our skins / telling us we can survive - so true.

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  6. brudbergOctober 23, 2018 at 4:09 PM

    I love the thought of a scar being more a reminder of healing than the hurt that came before... we are never more alive than when we see our survival.

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    Replies
    1. RommyOctober 27, 2018 at 5:58 PM

      Yes, exactly so! I think back to my C-section scar and remember that without it my son and/or I might not be here.

      Delete
  7. Carrie Van HornOctober 23, 2018 at 5:38 PM

    So very true Rommy! They are a reminder of survival. This is absolutely lovely! I did join you all there from my other blog.

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  8. MargaretOctober 23, 2018 at 10:01 PM

    Very clever! Fantastic last stanza - heck I enjoyed the whole poem.

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  9. Magic Love CrowOctober 23, 2018 at 10:27 PM

    Brilliant!!! I love this!!
    (thanks for the story! Haven't finished yet!)
    Big Hugs!

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  10. Old EggOctober 24, 2018 at 1:28 AM

    What great philosophy this is Rommy; we should always remind ourselves that we can survive.

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  11. MarianOctober 24, 2018 at 5:58 AM

    Before and after, forward with strength and beauty and clarity of vision.... adore this.

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  12. Kerry O'ConnorOctober 24, 2018 at 11:16 AM

    Your words resonate with me, Rommy, as one who is deeply scarred:

    there are signs on our skins
    telling us we can survive.

    This I shall take away with me.
    Thank you

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  13. Buddah MoskowitzOctober 25, 2018 at 10:17 AM

    This freak loved this poetry.

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  14. Magaly GuerreroOctober 26, 2018 at 8:29 PM

    I'm not quite sure how many times I've read this poem, or listened to you read it to us... and I suspect that there will be more times. As in the case of Kerry, this poem sings to me. And I, too, will take pieces of it with me (that last few lines, I think) and stitch them to my living tapestry of tales.

    This one rocks!

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  15. RebaOctober 27, 2018 at 5:26 AM

    Absolutely love this! Fabulous piece, Rommy!

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  16. kaykualaOctober 28, 2018 at 10:37 AM

    when there are signs on our skins
    telling us we can survive.

    All the more reason one is not giving in! One is expected to be able to face up to eventualities!

    Hank

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  17. Magical Mystical TeacherOctober 28, 2018 at 11:54 AM

    How do I love me? Let me count the scars!

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  18. Sherry Blue SkyOctober 28, 2018 at 3:47 PM

    This is wonderful, especially "there was a before, but I am here alive in the after." A wonderful poem! We thankfully are a species practiced in the art of survival.

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  19. C. SandlinOctober 28, 2018 at 6:17 PM

    Such a great reminder of the way our skin tells of the days we've lived and and are still living.

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  20. Myrna R.October 28, 2018 at 7:53 PM

    It's wonderful that if we're alive we have definitely survived the cause of our scars - seen and unseen. I guess we're all survivors and I love how you express this.

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  21. Wendy BourkeOctober 28, 2018 at 8:19 PM

    The amalgamation of the visceral with logical reality is stunning and profound. I thought this piece went in a unique and (to my mind) somewhat unexplored direction (which I loved) and did so brilliantly. An awesome write!

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  22. MaryOctober 28, 2018 at 9:49 PM

    Yes, the world does turn away from reminders that we will die. But meanwhile we do need to find ways to survive. A profound, well written poem!

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  23. ZQOctober 28, 2018 at 10:14 PM

    Happy Halloween!
    ZQ

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  24. VictoriaOctober 29, 2018 at 12:58 PM

    Breathtaking poetry, full of nourishing wisdom and power. I loved listening to you read, so beautifully expressed! Yes, I agree... scars are those powerful signs telling us we can survive anything. Brilliant!
    Victoria

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  25. Rosemary Nissen-WadeOctober 30, 2018 at 5:41 PM

    Wonderful, showing scars as signs of survival. Beautiful writing, and an extra treat to hear your incisive reading.

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