Today’s prompt is based in a poem by Larry Levis called “The Two Trees.” It is a poem that seems to meander, full of little digressions, odd bits of information, but fundamentally, it is a poem that takes time. It takes its time getting where it’s going, and the action of the poem itself takes place over months. Today, I’d like to challenge you to similarly write something that involves a story or action that unfolds over an appreciable length of time. Perhaps, as you do, you can focus on imagery, or sound, or emotional content (or all three!)
Its just the third day and the prompt’s got challenging. I found it tough. Let me know what you’ll think.
I was young, I must have been eight-
My mother said, ‘Keep your legs close together
Its only proper.’ I looked at her, not quite
comprehending. But I did not question. I wasn’t a boy.
I had learnt the difference. They could sit with legs apart
It didn’t matter. I had to watch out. I was a girl.
I was twelve I think or maybe thirteen-
My dad put me in swimming classes. I got a new pink
swimming trunk. My legs kicking like a fish’s tail flapping.
I was free. My legs bare and strong… like the boys.
I could see each curve, each muscle. I felt proud.
Mamma said, ‘ It’s fine at the pool. But once
you’re home, keep those legs together. You’re not
a boy.’
It was time for High School
I had to wear skirts. Was the new uniform. The girls wore
them high. ‘The higher the better,’ they giggled. Their legs
smooth as marble. Not mine. I kept it low and pulled my
sock up high. Mine like boys’ – an overgrown lawn.
I didn’t like that at all. Mamma said, ‘It’s too soon.’
Then came college.
The time had come to do what the other girls’ did.
My legs – they caught a lot of attention…from the
girls in the convent. I sure didn’t mind. I was quite the
rage. I wore fish-tail skirts and pencil skirts.
The ones that kept my legs together. And I sat the way
mamma said I should.
Finally it was Spring. There I was, a flower
in full-bloom. I ruled the world, I strutted like a queen.
My legs trembled underneath. All eyes were on me.
But nobody noticed. The white gown was a blessing.
The stilettos held me high. They masked the fear.
And I walked into my new world.
Seasons changed. Many of them.
I lay on a bed-sprawled. In a blue robe. No it wasn’t.
It had sleeves…was open at the back, tied with a string.
My legs were bent at the knees. Bare. Spread out like butterflies wings.
My yoga teacher would be proud. The pain, it came in spurts.
Each wave stronger. Mamma said, ‘ Take a deep breath. Keep your
legs wide, as wide as you can. Push darling.‘ And I did.
Its finally winter- the final one I think. I wobble to the door.
Not as fast as before. ‘How’re your legs, grandma ?‘ they ask.
‘I’m on them,‘ I smile. Its been a long journey. They’ve
withstood the seasons and the tides. They’ve ached but
not given up or in. Not any lesser because I
was a girl.
Copyright©2019. lifeateacher.wordpress.com. All Rights Reserved.
P.C. From the net
I love this Smitha – I love the storytelling, the sense of the way things change, the way you’ve incorporated the limitations put on us as girls and women but also the freedom of being ourselves.
LikeLike
I thought you might like it and I’m glad you do. I felt I had written different from how I generally write and so really wanted to know what you thought of it. Thank you for the appreciation.
LikeLike
You told so many stories of so many girls, so brilliantly!
LikeLike
Thank you so much Pragalbha. Always great to receive your feedback.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very welcome 🙂
LikeLike
Very compelling.
LikeLike
Thank you Maggie for reading and sharing how you felt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant, wonderful storytelling x
LikeLike
Thank you so much Nicole for the appreciation. XXX
LikeLike
And happy to meet you here again😊…another year of NaPoWriMo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, here we go again 🙂 xxx
LikeLike
I enjoyed this. Some things you can only do with the legs wide open! And being a woman 😉
LikeLike
Ha ha…true. 😊. There’s such a fine line between reading it correctly or reading between the lines…especially in this case. Thanks a lot Claire🌷❤ for your comment.
LikeLike
I meant giving birth actually!
LikeLike
I get it😊. Thank you for clarifying though.
LikeLike
Am spellbound… Wonderful will be superfluous… Loss at words
LikeLike
Thanks Sangbad…missed your comments the first 2 days and wondered where you disappeared.
LikeLike
I am friendly ghost you remember I hope…I have been here but was not following your and also of Vandana…through comments I came to know of both of your participation…
LikeLike
Wonderful poem.
LikeLike
Thank you Carol for your good words.
LikeLike
Excellent.
LikeLike
Thank you very much🙏😊
LikeLike
Beautiful xx
LikeLike
Thank you Katie. Good to see you in NaPoWriMo again 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too xx
LikeLike
Awesome. With many !!!!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Lord! I was so scared Angela, even to post it. With your comment I’m relieved. Thank you. XXX
LikeLike
It grabbed me from the very first stanza. And it tells such an important story. And it conveys so many feelings with relatively little words. You’ve done a very good job here. I’m glad you hit publish. If I read this one again in ten years or more I’m certain I will say “I remember this one’.
LikeLike
Angela, your comment here is for keeps and whenever I’m scared or doubt my writing, I’ll read these words to remind myself, that I did receive a comment like this. Thanks again for the motivating words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. What an awesome poem. The concept is good and execution even better. You’ve conveyed the emotions perfectly. Keep going!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Raja. It took me a long time to press the ‘Publish’ button. Wasn’t sure at all how it would be read. Thank you so much. i’m smiling now 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome and keep them coming 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful ❣️
LikeLike
Thank you so much. 🙂
LikeLike