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Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash. Leonard Cohen

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Ariadne's Thread


Ariadne addressed Theseus: Thou has slain the monster
Illustration by Virginia Frances Sterrett 
               
Grief is a labyrinth
and you, the unwilling subject,
dropped, unprepared, into the tangle
You are lost,
see only foreboding trails and blind curves
I will not tell you
not to be afraid;
this maze is full of danger,
but do not allow fear to stop you
from looking the monster in the eyes
Each time you look away,
it grows that much larger
and more formidable
I can lay a thread for you to follow
and give you a sword,
but you must slay your own monster
I will be waiting for you
to emerge from the other side
You may be tired
You may be battered,
but you will be alive.

submitted for Imaginary Garden With Real Toads, The Lark and the Toad

10 comments:

Helen said...

I love the name Ariadne ~ also enjoyed the labyrinth - maze story line. Very nice, Mouse!!

Maude Lynn said...

"Each time you look away,
it grows that much larger"

I love that.

Alice said...

I really like this! Well done.

aquadragonfruit

Susan said...

I believed this as if Ariadne stood right in front of Theseus.

Kerry O'Connor said...

This is incredibly moving, LM. Your metaphor paves the way for thoughts on the human condition, the struggles we all face on a daily basis, and monsters, too, on occasion. You achieved a sense of intimacy with the use of the second person, and the speaker's determined encouragement.

Unknown said...

"you must slay your own monster" - such an important lesson for all!

Cad said...

Reminds me of a school motto -
"Be brave and very courageous" !

hedgewitch said...

This is sparse and rich at the same time LM--excellent storytelling with a classic feel to it that perfectly fits the illustration.

Marian said...

grief IS a labyrinth.

Helena said...

Such faith in the returning guide of thread. Very enjoyable.