National Poetry Month April 2011

National Poetry Month April 2011

April is National Poetry Month; and we here at KittyBradshaw.com are participating by submitting a poem to the world.  This poem is a little dark, but no one kills themselves in the end so it’s all is good… or at least we think! 🙂

I challenge everyone who comes across this post to submit a poem in the comments section.  It can be a poem you wrote, or one of your favorite poems by another author (please be sure to give credit). Your poem doesn’t have to rhyme… it can be as short as 2 lines, or as long as 30.  I look forward to reading what you all submit.

Here is my submission:

NOTE: This poem is copyrighted.  Under no condition is this poem allowed to be used elsewhere.

IMPECCABLE… Yes, you are!

It takes a lot of work to get ready for an event…
you plan out your outfit,
you get your hair done,
you bathe,
you scrub your face,
you choose an outfit,
and coordinate.
YOU accessorize,
and practice your lines.
You are what every girl experiencing a nervous breakdown should be…
YOU prepare the surface to mask the deep.
IMPECCABLE… you make it look effortless.

This is you over the edge.
The funniest girl in the room,
the most intelligent,
the most carefree.
Smile girl, you are a fraud…
and no one can pull it off like YOU!

What’s that noise in the background?
…that’s not a violin.
What’s that alarm going off?
…Oh that’s just a reminder to apply more self-denial.
What’s that numbness in your core?
…You are such a mess right now; you can’t even make it out the front door.
PULL IT TOGETHER GIRL!

Those fine lines that lead to large cracks,
…circles so dark they cast a shadow to spite your nose.
the human stains that won’t come out.
that strategically placed part in your hair,
…no one knows it took 30 minutes to put it there.
You looked in the mirror,
and saw that thing you’re trying to push to the back.
that thing so light it floats to the top,
that thing so heavy, it destroyed you.
You reward yourself by taking a deep breath,
and affirming out loud that you can do this.

Each time it gets a little easier,
a little more strategic,
a little more calculated.
The church has a script for you to follow,
and society creates its standards,
…but nothing says good morning like waking up wanting to die.

Awww girl, just pray about it…
and don’t forget to eat your vegetables,
Count sheep at night,
and wish up on a star.
Everyone has a piece of advice for the road only you travel.
This burden.
This deep sadness that won’t leave.
But you carry it well…
They say you have strength.
They say you are a role model.
You live vicariously through who you used to be.
They didn’t even notice you came out the house with your dress on backwards.
IMPECCABLE girl… you hold it all together.

-Kitty Bradshaw ©