Jan12

Bleak Marriage

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Michele Seminara

First 
you retreat 
behind the firewall
of your anger


Then
I'll sink in 
to the warm bath
of my depression


And together
we'll stagger towards 
our death do us part

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38 Responses »

Virgilio Gavia on January 12, 2013 at 1:49 pm said:

strange but wonderful poetry…

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- Michele Seminara on January 12, 2013 at 3:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks Virgilio, dark but not so uncommon in relationships I think!
  
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valeriedavies on January 12, 2013 at 2:10 pm said:

your poetry encapsulates it brilliantly. And what a tragic picture, the oceans of distance between them, the hopelessness on her face;the boredom and unconsciousness on his…the story of their marriage revealed in an instant of time
who painted this sad little masterpiece, and what is its name????

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Michele Seminara on January 12, 2013 at 3:02 pm said:

Hi Valerie, thanks, its “Faults on Both Sides” by Thomas Faed 1861 – good title, don’t you think? If you click on the image it will take you to a site that will tell you more about the artist.

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Gigi wanders on January 12, 2013 at 3:41 pm said:

Awesome, Michele! Maximum emotional impact with not a word wasted.
More please.
G

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Michele Seminara on January 12, 2013 at 4:15 pm said:

Thanks so much Gigi – the distillation of meaning into just a few words in poetry really appeals to me.

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seanbidd on January 12, 2013 at 5:45 pm said:

Three simple stages some peoples lives so often fall into, and yet live a communicated isolation to the end. Top work with the straight forward expression.

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Michele Seminara on January 12, 2013 at 6:02 pm said:

Thanks Sean. “Communicated isolation” – that’s exactly it, well put!

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pixelrites on January 12, 2013 at 6:47 pm said:

Your poetry is powerful Michele; so fews words that capture so much. x

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- Michele Seminara on January 12, 2013 at 8:39 pm said:
  
  Thank you Dianne, much appreciated.
  
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Thomas on January 13, 2013 at 3:20 am said:

Excellent ekphrasis, Michele. True to life and concise too. I’m sure it describes many relationships.

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- Michele Seminara on January 13, 2013 at 1:54 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Thomas, and for the retweeting. Also for the education – as an English major I am ashamed to say I had to look up ekphrasis in order to discover that that was in fact what I had written! It’s a very cool word, I’m going to have to start using it, although it might be a little hard to work into general conversation…
  
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  - Thomas on January 14, 2013 at 12:31 am said:
    
    I stumbled across the word…probably on brainpickings.com…not sure. I am jealous of your ekphrasis since I’ve been looking for art to inspire some words in me. I’ll have to try harder.
  - Michele Seminara on January 14, 2013 at 1:07 pm said:
    
    Don’t be jealous of my ekphrasis, my ekphrasis is a fraud! The words came first, and then the picture – there, I’ve said it! Just didn’t want everyone thinking I had a bleak marriage – which I don’t, but you know, we all have our moments, and this was one of mine. I ‘m not sure I could be inspired enough by a work of art either Thomas, writing seems to be a bit more internally inspired for me.
    
    Sent from my iPad
  - Thomas on January 15, 2013 at 9:50 pm said:
    
    Well, it’s still a wonderful poem, more so because it came from your honest feelings. I’m still going to try to add ekphrasis to my repertoire. We must keep growing. If I can respond to a work of art, I’ll be able to respond to other objects and circumstances better. Have a wonderful day, Michele.
  - Michele Seminara on January 16, 2013 at 2:22 pm said:
    
    Thanks Thomas, I admire your poetical work ethic!
J. E. Lattimer on January 14, 2013 at 3:32 am said:

Hi Michele- Just wanted to let you know that I nominated your work for “Blog of the Year 2012!” http://fictionalmachines.com/2013/01/13/blog-of-the-year-2012-three/ Keep up the great work & enjoy the day!

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- Michele Seminara on January 14, 2013 at 7:33 am said:
  
  Hi, thanks so much, much appreciated! And thanks also for all your comments and for reading.
  
  Sent from my iPad
  
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  - J. E. Lattimer on January 14, 2013 at 9:25 am said:
    
    You are very welcome!
Marylin Warner on January 14, 2013 at 6:50 am said:

A perfect combination of picture and prose. Beautifully done.

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thepennywortchronicler on January 14, 2013 at 8:40 pm said:

Your poems are like the sharpest paring knife, exposing the rawness of human experience. Fantastic.

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- Michele Seminara on January 15, 2013 at 12:01 pm said:
  
  What a humbling compliment – thank you.
  
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connellykevin on January 14, 2013 at 9:02 pm said:

Beautiful, I also love both your chosen font and the Illustration. Can’t help feeling the couple look Irish!

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- Michele Seminara on January 15, 2013 at 12:42 pm said:
  
  Thanks Kevin, This painting is called “fault on both sides” by a Scottish artist called Thomas Faed. So not far off! Apparently the man in the picture is a self portrait.
  
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Michael T. dadicusgrinch.wordpress.com on January 15, 2013 at 12:07 pm said:

Michele, First of all, you always find the perfect piece of art to complement your poetry. Kudos for that. Secondly, each poem draws me in further–this is such a powerful piece. Thank you for exploring these themes with such keen insight and raw emotion.

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- Michele Seminara on January 15, 2013 at 12:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks Michael, I don’t seem to be able to write in any other way – even if I wanted to! Best to let it all hang out I think.
  
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ajaytao2010 on January 15, 2013 at 9:04 pm said:

I loved your blog its beautiful

Thanks. I invite you to visit my blog Ajaytao2010@wordpress.com. Browse through the category sections, I feel you may definitely find something of your interest.

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- Michele Seminara on January 16, 2013 at 2:21 pm said:
  
  Thanks Ajay, I shall
  
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  - ajaytao2010 on January 16, 2013 at 2:22 pm said:
    
    thanks
Eric on January 19, 2013 at 12:44 pm said:

Yep, sounds like my two poor attempts at it…bahahahahaha!

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- Michele Seminara on January 19, 2013 at 12:49 pm said:
  
  Sorry Eric!
  
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amandahickeyblog on January 19, 2013 at 10:15 pm said:

Yes, well, been there and done that! How did you know? Have you been spying on my past?

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- Michele Seminara on January 20, 2013 at 9:12 am said:
  
  Not just yours it seems!
  
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Wendell A. Brown on January 23, 2013 at 1:29 am said:

Your heart’s spirit sees deeply in words shared, and from all that you see the rhythms come, and your spirit disects the information, and delivers at different times the message you are moved to share. The spirit that He placed within you sees and knows alot…your messages are always on point. God bless dear sister you are always a joy to read!

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- Michele Seminara on January 23, 2013 at 1:25 pm said:
  
  Thanks Wendell, your comments are always a joy to read too!
  
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godtisx on May 15, 2013 at 4:42 pm said:

This is incredible, it reads how a failing relationship “feels.” Very true, after a while you absolutely are staggering toward the death do us part…part. *Siiigh* I also know this so intimately.

You are such an incredible poet. It simply floors me.

Do you like reading alot of poetry too?

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- Michele Seminara on May 16, 2013 at 2:28 pm said:
  
  Hi Tanyeno, don’t worry, I think we have all experienced this one, perhaps many times! Thanks so much for coming back and reading more – I am a bit slow these days posting new poems, I need to be really happy with them first. I am reading a lot of poetry, although in the past I was more of a prose girl. It’s strange, about a year ago I just started feeling the need to read and write poetry – I think it’s because I’m getting older, and poetry seems to sing to the deepest things in life. Take care. x
  
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  - godtisx on May 16, 2013 at 2:35 pm said:
    
    Hey Michele,
    
    Well…I’m glad you got a feeling to do so a year ago. I think we all are very happy. You tackle pretty deep subjects in a myriad of ways and I find your thinking around whatever you do, sears to the heart of the matter each time.
    
    It’s okay, you’re slow. I just love the poems, so of course you become ravenous, but I understand how you have to arrive at your subject then grow into it (sort of).
    
    Take your time to find happiness with them, we’ll wait.
    
    I do have ‘some,’ patience.
    
    I tend to return to people’s writing I like and move through past stuff. I don’t want to miss anything. This is my television. My soul joy.
    
    Take care. xo