I swallow screams for dinner,
my own. Mostly.
If they aren’t meant to be
heard then they should satisfy
some other way, filling the pit
anxiety comes to churn
when there is nothing else
to settle in its place.
It isn’t a pleasant taste,
but it’s familiar.
I've almost figured out
the trick to rinsing
and pretending there's no aftertaste.
Photo by Camila Quintero Franco on Unsplash
Song Choice: Alone in a Room by Asking Alexandra
This poem was created for the Weekly Scribblings prompt at Poets and Storytellers United, Swallows Screams for Dinner. The prompt was inspired by a line from the poem Telling Stories by the fabulous C. Sandlin.
Wow! That kinda leaves me with nothing else to say, you've encapsulated it so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteDang! I must have done something cool then. :)
DeleteBrilliant, Rommy, especially the idea that If the screams ‘aren’t meant to be / heard then they should satisfy / some other way’, and that ‘anxiety comes to churn / when there is nothing else / to settle in its place’.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim
DeleteGreat poem! I've choked down a few screams of my own, as we all have, I suspect.
ReplyDeleteAt least they're low carb :D
DeleteScreams are a terrible diet. Sadly--or, perhaps, thankfully... since jail is a horrible place--too many of us have to snack on screeches. Crazy times, these. I don't blame the speaker for wanting to pretend the aftertaste isn't there. Who wants to go through life with a ringing in their patience's stomach?
ReplyDeleteIf I have to chose, I'll go with indigestion over an orange jumpsuit or an orange tyrant.
DeleteI had the same reaction as Rosemary, one of my nieces suffers from an eating disorder ... this hit home.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry, Helen. I hope she has a lot of love and a wise health-care team around her. Eating disorders can be so devastating.
DeleteThis was...more true than I want it to be. In awe of the way those screams echo in it.
ReplyDeleteI am going to take being unsettling as a win. :D
DeleteMy family has a bouquet of dietary restrictions, each with their own particular brand of screams, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteWe watch what we have around here because of my husband's diabetes. Thankfully he's managing it well.
DeleteOh, this hits me right where I'm living. Brilliantly stated!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you liked it.
DeleteAnxiety is a bugger to handle. Pretending will save the day until it is done, well or died.
ReplyDelete..
A dreadful bugger, yes
DeleteIt isn't a pleasant taste / but it's familiar
ReplyDeleteSadly, too true
I'm wild for this one, Rommy.
Glad you resonated with this one
DeleteMorph those screams into trust and bon appetit
ReplyDelete(✿◠‿◠)
much love
Have a lovely day Gillena
DeleteThis is an excellent poem because it allows the reader to place it in the context of their own situation! Powerful
ReplyDeleteThank you, Margaret
DeleteWow great stuff Love all lines
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it
DeleteI remember screaming as a child for it wa sthe only way to record your feelings when you had no control over a situation. Finally I realise as an old man I never did! However writing about it helps.
ReplyDeleteWhen in doubt, write on!
DeleteI suggest you change your restaurant.
ReplyDelete🙂
DeleteLove the idea of a scream so personified. I think mine get caught as a lump in my throat, or maybe that is a cry. Cries and screams are so close
ReplyDeleteThey really are. And those lumps they leave behind feel so huge.
Deleteyes, there's an aftertaste to fear.
ReplyDeleteexcellent poem!
Thanks dsnake
DeleteHappy Sunday Rommy
ReplyDeleteMuch💝love
Hope you have a lovely day
DeleteRinsing and pretending there is no aftertaste is probably the best way. Less aggravation, hmmmm?
ReplyDeleteWhatever is needed to get to the next step...if it's rinsing or letting one good scream fly free.
DeleteSad, dark and ethereal. So many thoughts and directions in these words. Are these familiar in myself or do I see them in others? I hear the answers and I may not like them.
ReplyDeleteThought provoking indeed, Rommy!
I am glad that I was able to create such a strong mood
DeleteYes that is familiar for i have felt it most during family dinners and such. just hum and focus on the food, hahaha.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I haven't had too many meals like that...but yes, I have had them
Deletethe taste of a swallowed scream - I think everyone can relate... it's sad, though.
ReplyDeleteQuite sad
DeleteRinse, swish, spit...and pray that there's no aftertaste.
ReplyDeleteOr that you can lie to yourself convincingly enough to ignore it
DeleteWonderful ending on this, Rommy!
ReplyDelete