Poem of the Week ~ Dancing Broken

Kids, this week a poem by Jennifer Wagner at Poet Laundry just whapped me upside the head with its compassionate understanding of the struggle so many have with the pain of addiction.

Jennifer and her family live in the Pacific North-West, where Jennifer writes, takes care of  her "hero-husband and wonderful family." Here is her very moving work, this week's Poem of the Week: 

                        There Go I, Dancing Broken                            

she said

she was drying out

and needed to get clean

i just held her hand

as she wept

holding her hair back

while she threw up

nearly 20 years

of the most hideous

and sobering regrets

and, like natural childbirth,

there is not much you can do

but be there

while she learns how

to nurture a new life beyond it

and remind her

even if you’re walking broken

you can learn how to dance again

Copyright © 2013 Jennifer Wagner

Recently, I also came upon this most beautiful poem of Janet Martin's, so lyrical and lovely. Here is a second offering, for your enjoyment.

Twilight Rhapsody

Beneath his moody murmur and caress

Softly she comes surrendering her lilt

Of azure glance and golden sun-flecked dress

To lie where cobalt shadow-song is spilt

All day he waited as her overture

Wove mystery to history; but now

He drapes his crushing longing over her

And smooths life’s ruthless laugh-lines from her brow

Out past the fields where tree-tops touch the sky

The vesper croons its burnished lullaby

The wheel from which her gossamer is spun

Replenishes its thread with somber hues

The filament of moments in the sun

Deepens to shrouds of midnight-tinted blues

Yet, he does not excuse his solemn trance

But softly wraps her in his muted hush

He gathers her into a gentle dance

Kissing her wantonness; horizons blush

As on the fringe of yesterday and dawn

A molten glow erupts; then it is gone

Beneath the vault where love and life unfold

She lays aside her tattered, tear-stained gown

Relinquishing her being to his hold

How tenderly he watches her lie down

The hour of her gallantries subside

Within the candor of his raw embrace

Somewhere the fringe of earth and sky collide

But darkness spills its sigh across her face

And now against his brawny chest she sleeps

He strums the air as star-song fills the deeps

© Janet Martin

Do visit Janet's site, kids. You'll find many wonderful poems by this poet, who describes herself as "a lover of moments in the music of life."

Thanks, Jennifer, for the compassion and emotion in your poems, and for being a part of Poets United. And thank you, Janet, as well, for your amazing contributions to our poetic treasury!