Signature of a Scar

I couldn't resist doing something special for the big blog party happening this weekend, hosted by Magaly GuerreroEmma 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.


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






41 comments:

  1. 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

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

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Thanks Debra. I was happy with how it turned out.

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  5. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  6. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  12. 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

    ReplyDelete
  13. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Absolutely love this! Fabulous piece, Rommy!

    ReplyDelete
  15. 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

    ReplyDelete
  16. 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.

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

    ReplyDelete
  18. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  19. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  20. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  21. 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

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

    ReplyDelete