"Life is the dancer and you are the dance."
— Eckhart Tolle

Saturday, April 2, 2011

"The Threat" NaPoWriMo #2

No-one could believe that you wanted to burn
the house down; jealousy and rage can send
someone that far away into such a fantastical position
when white wicker bedroom suites are no longer
smudged with lies hidden behind a façade
Drive by evenings with watchdog eyes spying
while plotting her demise
No-one would believe that you wanted to burn
the house down with family and pets sleeping
in their beds; envy and insecurity make a
person lose a grip on their reality … ludicrously odd
ideas take them over instead
Everyone was astonished when you decanted
gasoline and lit the match

Process notes:
4. Write about something that happened 15 years ago.
A Big Tent prompt.
Posted by flaubert at 2:56 AM

38 comments:

  1. annell4April 2, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    But she was such a nice quiet person. You've said it well. Envy and insecurity make a person lose a grip on their reality....

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  2. flaubertApril 2, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    Annell, this is a true story about my last boyfriend I had, before meeting my present husband. The guy was wacko!

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  3. brenda wApril 2, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    Pamela, It's not love, is power and control. People lose that and it drives them to find it in dangerous arenas. I knew someone like that. (asshole) Thanks for sharing this, it's important.

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  4. flaubertApril 2, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    Brenda, I actually had to move from my lovely, little beach house, with my daughter and 3 cats, just so he would leave me alone. I had never had my life threatened before and it was terrifying.

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  5. MarianneApril 2, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    How horrible! Insane and dangerous ... a deadly combination. Your poem is powerful. Loved "decanted
    gasoline."

    Thank you for commenting at my blog. You are always so generous with compliments!

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  6. flaubertApril 2, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    Marianne, yes, he was indeed and he was insanely jealous and imagined all kinds of non-existent scenarios.
    You are more than welcome, that is what this poeming scene is all about, supporting your fellow poets. I have missed your writing.

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  7. Stan SkiApril 2, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    Great piece - sad to think it's a page from your diary.

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  8. flaubertApril 2, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Stan, it was/is still a creepy memory. He finally married his high school sweetheart, I sometimes wonder how that is working for her.

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  9. ZouxzouxApril 2, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    A chilling story well written.

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  10. Brian MillerApril 2, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    whew...yeah, envy and jealous are wicked demons of the mind...scary stuff...

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  11. anthonynorthApril 2, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    An excellent, powerful write.

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  12. Ron.April 2, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    Very, very powerful and effective. Well done.

    And thanks for stopping by the eggs. I note you're have some troubles posting comments. Mine keeps sending you immediately to the spam filter. I'll see what/if I can do anything to fix that.

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  13. AnonymousApril 2, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    A terrifying poem. Nothing is scarier than the truth. I'm glad you are safe now.

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  14. flaubertApril 2, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    That it was, zouxzoux, thanks.

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  15. flaubertApril 2, 2011 at 6:14 PM

    Absolutely demons, Brian.

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  16. flaubertApril 2, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    It seems to be ok now, Ron, but I was going bonkers earlier with it. Thanks.

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  17. flaubertApril 2, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Thanks Tilly, how very true, I have been safe for over 14 years now.

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  18. flaubertApril 2, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    Thanks Anthony.

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  19. Andy SewinaApril 2, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Looks like you captured the moment! Glad you're still here to tell the tale!

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  20. flaubertApril 2, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    It is still quite vivid, Andy and thanks:)

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  21. Laurie KolpApril 2, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    Pamela~

    I was already deeply enthralled by this moving, heartfelt piece when I read it really happened to you... WOW! Aren't we fortunate to have survived our past and have the ability to get it out through our poetry? I think it's very therapeutic... at least for me, it is.

    ~laurie

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  22. MaryApril 2, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    Pamela, this poem captured feelings in a very real way. I had a wacko boyfriend once too, so the feelings you portrayed rang very true to me. It wasn't until after we broke up that I really FELT the fear. Glad you and yours are okay.

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  23. flaubertApril 2, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    It is therapeutic, Laurie and a first time to mention it in my writing.

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  24. flaubertApril 2, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    Mary, it is such a creepy story, he was totally obsessed and became quite strange, when I wanted to end the relationship. The clincher was a phone call saying he was going to burn the house down with me and my family (daughter and 3 cats) in it. I moved the same day.

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  25. AnonymousApril 2, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    Thank God you moved, Pamela. I've met all types and know when to hear the danger coming my way. Good thing you did too.

    The poem itself is beautiful in a strange way; I was holding my breath right up to the end. Sadder that it's true - but that's why poets create, isn't it?

    Here's my second:
    http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/the-revolving-balance/

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  26. Mr. WalkerApril 3, 2011 at 12:07 AM

    "Drive by evenings with watch dog eyes spying" - that line got me, the way jealousy, an obsession, colors everything that is seen - and things not seen but only imagined. Scary. Thanks for sharing.

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  27. DebApril 3, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    Short and intense.

    (I'm glad you are here and this is so long ago.)

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  28. Sherry Blue SkyApril 3, 2011 at 3:08 AM

    Wow, Pamela, a fantastically well written poem. I've gotten a bit behind in visiting the sites this weekend. I, too, was impressed with the "watchdog eyes". And I, too, had a long-ago boyfriend who burned down my place in hopes of getting the insurance money. They suspected him but couldnt prove it, so they didnt pay. He then departed, thankfully. Maybe this isnt as infrequent as one might think. I am so glad you moved the same day. Such a powerful poem.

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  29. Tumblewords:April 3, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    Powerful and scary - glad you escaped the clutches and wrote it here...

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  30. flaubertApril 3, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    Amy, this guy appeared quite normal on the exterior, but he had some demons lurking under the surface.

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  31. flaubertApril 3, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    On several occasions, Mr. Walker, I him found in my driveway, on the street out in front of my house, it was quite unnerving. Especially, when I wasn't expecting to see him.

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  32. flaubertApril 3, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    Yes, Deb, long ago and becoming a very distant memory, but one I will not forget easily.

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  33. flaubertApril 3, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Sherry, are you sure they weren't related? One never really knows, what craziness some people have within.

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  34. flaubertApril 3, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Susan, there is a freedom in writing about this situation. Thanks.

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  35. ElizabethApril 3, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Pamela, I was sure I had been here and left a comment, now come today and its all new. Maybe it's time for a rest,lol. Your poem is chilling and a memory that would haunt for such a long time.

    Elizabeth

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  36. flaubertApril 3, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Elizabeth, I understand about the comment thingy, yesterday was nightmarish when Wordpress would not work. This guy seemed quite normal, came from a fine upstanding family, but he was, I suppose very insecure. I couldn't do anything without him questioning my every single move. I was lucky to get out unscathed.

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  37. Madeleine Begun KaneApril 4, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    Wow! Powerful and scary! And I love this juxtaposition of words: "decanted
    gasoline"

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  38. flaubertApril 4, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    Thanks Madeleine:)

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