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Olive Twig

He thought her a poem last Sunday.
He thought it and parlayed it where she lay,
commanding the verses and words in an array.
He thought her a poem last Sunday.
He thought it and then he went away.

You cannot control me now;
you can't rule me.
You cannot control me now;
you got rid of me.

He caught her a cloud the other day.
He caught it and set it down where she lay,
so amazing, yet so full of empty dismay.
He caught her a cloud the other day.
He caught it and then he went away.

You cannot fool me now;
you can't cover my eyes.
You cannot fool me now;
you sealed my demise.

He bought her white roses yesterday.
He bought them and set them down where she lay;
petals so soft, thorns so sharp, a small price to pay.
He bought her white roses today.
He bought them and then he went away.

You cannot hurt me now;
you can't make me cry.
You cannot hurt me now;
you let me die.

He brought her an olive twig today.
He brought it and set it down where she lay;
No apology needed, no sorry to say.
He brought her an olive twig today.
He brought it and then he went away.
— Shadowrose, May 18, 2009

About the Author

Region, Country: Calgary, Alberta

Favorite Poets: Maya Angelou, Robert Frost, Robert Browning, Emily Dickinson

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Critiques

Morgana Tragic Proprietress

Morgana Tragic…

17 years ago

Well....

K, you wanted my in depth feel of this one. Such...contradictions in gentleness and bitterness between verses. I'm not gonna sit here and tell you how great and stunning it is. You obviously already know that. Other wise I don't know what to say. I've taken something from this, yes. It brought back some flashbacks I wish I never had, especially your verses in italics. I can honestly say I've written similar lines myself in my own attempts to say he will never rule me or hurt me again, some sort of ridiculous self assurance you can never completely assure yourself of. Anyways, Shadow, thanks for sharing this piece. Peace N Love Katie
Seren

Seren

17 years ago

There is a longing and

There is a longing and wistfulness in this poem of giving with one hand and taking away in another .. Sadness is there too but a brillant write well done Best wishes JayC
Tonya

Tonya

17 years ago

Beautifully painful poem.

I think it speaks for itself. An entreaty that says despite all, everything is fine as it is. An offering of a truce and peace. Really a lovely write. I like the repetition/rhyme you use and the change in script. (The italicized verse, almost feels, as if you are convincing yourself. The way they switch from the offering, to the response.) Just a thought…. It could be two differnt poems layered together. Interesting construction here! Loved it! Always, Tonya
B

bjp

17 years ago

Dear Shadowrose,

This is a very emotive poem. The juxtaposition between the narrator and the speaker is well done. Bygones to the last discussion. This effort deserves a congratulation. Regards, bjp

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