A Poem for Weekly Scribblings # 45 -- Dread Consumed
Carnival Dreams, by Shelle Kennedy
Hearts on Sleeves;
"Sins of the Fathers"
How can I smile with my heart on my sleeve
Like a lot it's edging that way
Already I wear it outside my vest
A very tough life I have led
Skeletons from my ancestors closets
Their dastardly deeds now exposed
Some of mine as well hanging on the stairs
Hidden no more, out to be seen
They're there in plain sight--bug me every day
Great-Uncle John whipped slaves to death
Aunt Bess bore fourteen illegitimates
Grandpa Jones rode with Bonnie's Clyde
Seems there hardly could be no worse than these
But that was them, angel I'm not
Nothing heinous like they buried here
Indiscretions young often take
For all my rude transgressions hurtful be
I've begged forgiveness and pardon
Most have given me solace and kindness
That helps me some but kin remain
Their mistakes and wicked life I must bear
They're dead and gone but I am here
Here with their sad reputations to bear
Their skeletons smell of their sins
Closer and closer my grieving heart moves
Reaches my sleeve I'll take no more
You'll see me no more I have run away
Joined the carnival lost my mind
_ _ _
- Note to my readers: THIS IS FICTION. My crazy muse wouldn't leave me until I hit the "Post" button. The title could be "Sins of the Fathers". I'm making it a subtitle now.
- Poem Copyright, Jimmiehov 2020, All Rights Reserved
- I am linked with Magaly Guerrero for her picture , Carnival Dreams, by Shelle Kennedy, for Weekly Scribblings # 45. https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/2020/11/weekly-scribblings-45-artistic.html
- Magaly's prompt instructions were, "... to write new poetry or prose inspired by one (or all) of the three paintings shared on this link: ‘Beautiful, YOU are’ by Magic Love Crow, ‘Delightful Donkey’ by Gina Morley, and/or ‘Carnival Dreams’ by Shelle Kennedy. For this prompt, your imagination is the limit.
Delightful Donkey, by Gina Morley
- The donkey was cute but I chose the Shelle painting.
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Labels: art, Artistic Interpretations, Dark, dark poetry, Fiction, Poem, Syllabic Form, Weekly Scribbling
posted by Jim @ 11/11/2020 01:32:00 AM
13 comments
13 Comments:
This is a great poem Jim but we should never shoulder the faults of our relatives. We each get a chance in life but not take the responsibiliy for others.
I'm assuming this is fictional – and a rollicking good yarn it is, with a bit of a 'message' too.
Nice one!!! Happy Wednesday
Much💗love
My favorite line is "Their dastardly deeds now exposed." I'm sorry for the narrator's guilt, as we aren't our ancestors and should bear no responsibility for their actions.
The shame and guilt that can plague those who shoulder mistakes made by their blood can be life-sucking and terribly unfair. One can only wish that said persons will realize that we can't be responsible for the past. We can do whatever we can to make the future a better place for all, but the past can't be the future's fault.
Sins of the fathers. A fine bit of fiction, a good read to the very end. I like where your muse took you, Jim.
This is such a graphic story/poem ~~~ kept me at full attention!
I like the image of a heart that travels through life, from inside a chest to outside a vest and then to a sleeve – life experience does have that effect. It’s hard not to feel responsible for things family members have done, but it is so unnecessary when all we have to do is be and act better, even when their skeletons smell of their sins.
Excellent tale of the sins of the fathers.
"Their skeletons smell of their sins" Lovely words!
Anna :o]
We do get weighed down by the transgressions of others, it seems.
This line is especially fantastic: "Their skeletons smell of their sins."
Love this dark, emotive piece. Our ancestry can certainly rattle us with their skeletons.
Sigh. We all have ancestors...
Many of mine were remembered for good things too, but some did horrible things. At least one was blamed for starting a war. (All aristocrat ancestors are known to have done bad things just because their lives in a semi-civilized society were documented and other people's lives weren't, but not all have been blamed for wars.)
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