She sits alone, staring into the crimson flames, a glass of ruby wine in her hand, the half-empty bottle on the wooden floor beside her. Muddy rivers run down her cheeks from red-rimmed eyes. She takes another sip and puts the glass down. Carefully. She rips off the pretty new blouse which he’d failed to notice – his eyes were elsewhere all night – flings it into the fire where the fabric curls like dead leaves; buttons pop in the heat. More wine sloshes in the glass.
betrayal revealed
in long lingering glances
scales drop from her eyes
sorrow seeps into her heart
dying embers fill the grate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Image credit: Tathanhtaun @ Pexabay
The image shows a pair of spectacles to which a pair of rose-colored clip-on attachment is affixed. You can see a view of skyline near a shore through these colored clip-ons.
Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #118 photo prompt
Wonderful take, Chris. Poem reveals sadness but it’s lovely.
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Thank you, Jane. 🙂
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Welcome dear.
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That is so poignant!
sorrow seeps into her heart
dying embers fill the grate
That says it all! Excellent take, Chris. ❤️
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Thanks so much, Punam 🙂
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You are welcome. 😊
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Scales dropping from eyes … is the most important part.
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Quite so, Reena. Without that realization his deception will continue, ultimately for the worst.
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Really stunning piece, Chris. I hope it’s not a memory?
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Thanks so much, Anita. Partially a memory, but long past.
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Beautifully remembered, Chris…
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I think it’s good when these memories can go on to produce something special…
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I agree! One of the benefits of getting older is to have so many experiences to draw upon.
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That must be why they say writers should have suffered a little, too…
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Ooh, I just found this is spam (why?). I think you’re right, Anita. A little suffering can go along way.
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Reblogged this on anitadawesauthor.com.
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🙏💖
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Such a heartbreaking poem Chris. Love it’s deep felt emotions and poignancy. Thanks for joining in Chris
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Always a pleasure to take part, Sadje. Even if it does evoke sadness… for a little while 🙂
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It’s a beautiful poem Chris. Touching something deep in the core of my heart. Sign of a good writer to make you feel emotions that you haven’t experienced.
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That’s a lovely compliment, Sadje. I treasure it💖
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💖❤️
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[…] dying embers — luna’s on line […]
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Gorgeous Chris, the imagery is sublime
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Thanks so much, Deb💖
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Such a poignant take on the prompt Chris. Very well crafted ❤️
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Thanks very much Radhika!
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A beautifully heart-wrenching piece, Chris! So much conveyed in so little.
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You captured the emotions beautifully, Chris.
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Thanks very much, Maria 🙂
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Thanks, Tom!
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WOW WOW WOW…..
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Thanks so much, Zelda! Sorry for the late response – I found you in my spam (that’s happened to a few folk lately).
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No problem at all, Chris–I too have had to fish a few folks out of my Spam…but I don’t mind, glad to rescue them! 🙂
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This is fantastic Chris. I can really feel her pain.
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Thanks, Di. I’m pleased her emotion came across strongly.
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🙂
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Wow! An excellent image in words, along with a powerful poem. 👌🙏
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Thanks so much, Aladin… and thanks for sharing.💖
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This is such a moving response to the prompt photo. Brava!!
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Thanks so much, Liz, and thanks as always for sharing! 😊
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You’re welcome, Chris!! You’re really good with these prompts.
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😊🙏
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Loved your tanka prose poem, Chris. It’s such a fun form. But a forlorn poem. I could feel the deep sadness in my bones. Well done.
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Thanks so much, Diana, I’m pleased the depth of emotion seeped through. I was inspired to use the form by your recent tanka prose poem. Also because I’m working my way though Colleen Chesbro’s ‘Word Craft’ book at the moment.
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Ha! Isn’t it a great form? I just love it. And Colleen’s book was great. What a wealth of information. Happy Writing.
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You too, Diana. Have a great week!
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A melancholic piece, beautifully written. Chris
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Thanks very much, Keith 🙂
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sorrow the power of our hour
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after sorrow comes strength!
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This makes me want to cry! 😢You convey the emotions so well. Also it fits so well with the photo of rose colored glasses.
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Thanks so much, Debra. I made myself a bit miserable just writing it… better now!
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Wow! Wonderful set up and poem, Chris! ☺️
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Thanks very much, Jeff 🙂
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You’re welcome, Chris. Always. ☺️
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This is so sad and so beautifully written
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Thanks so much, Gary 😊💖
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
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I like this very much, Chris. It is very emotion filled and real.
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Thanks so much, Robbie. (Just found you in my spam – why, I wonder?)
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That happens to me sometimes too, Chris. WP just decides to allocate someone to spam. I’m glad you found it there.
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Wow, Chris! How vividly you describe the bleak scene. Better to see the truth now than later, but it is a painful realization! Have a great day! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Thanks, Cheryl. Enjoy the rest of your week!💖
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Powerful and intense prose and poem, Chris! My heart goes out to the woman, the betrayal she experienced and for her incredible pain.
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Thanks, Annika. I’m pleased that I brought out that emotional response – but it’s only fiction.
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Hopefully she’ll soon realise there are more fish in the sea! A very moving post this, Chris.
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Sure she will 🙂
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What a short sweet piece. I enjoyed reading this. 👏💖
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Thanks very much. I appreciate your feedback 🙂
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You’re most welcome, Chris 😊.
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Oh, this is so good, Chris! The dead leaves, the buttons popping… perfect!
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Thanks, Susan! Emotions put aside, I really enjoyed writing this one, .
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[…] Chris Hall; Dying embers […]
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You could easily do a prequeal or continue this piece 🙂
Many unanswered questions… but full of saddness bordering on anger.
Hope she stays rational!
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A one off, I think. I don’t really do domestic drama but you never know, she might cry out to have her say one day.
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As another promptress procliams; “Go where the prompt leads” (or the characters…as you say – she may cry out, or we can hope that after her cryout, she heals and moves on…).
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Buttons popping in the heat- just so wonderfully written. So sad.
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Thanks very much, Matthew! Little explosions of anger.
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How do you pack so many emotions in a few words! This is so beautiful and I could see it happening in front of me. So very beautiful.
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Thank you so much!
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