DPC POETRY: Shy bride

I wore white to my wedding,
A testament to all I’d lost.
Symbol of a lie,
but a must
if I were to walk
the tightrope of modesty.

Condemned by those
who hadn’t walked the path I had trod,
I maintained a fine balance of expectation,
shrouded in hidden passion.
Veiled threats of excommunication
had become a burden of communion
too great for the saints.

Shy brides!
We dance
to covert tunes
of lies and dissimulation;
each bride a sepulchre,
each groom a failure.
We bear children of perdition
with no comfort for the nation.

And so, lies become intertwined
with the chalice of virginal blood,
shed in a desperate moment
of convoluted passion,
leading to this burgundy path,
down the aisle
to a future of death,
as we sit and stare
at each other
in despair…

DPC is the acronymn for Domnichen Poetic Circle, a “Literary Circle of Contemporary Poets, and Spoken Word Artists of Dominican birth and descent. The group endeavors to showcase the broad spectrum of Dominican talent in the area of the written and spoken word and also promotes itself as a platform for interactive conversations on posted content of the Artists, “in the form of constructive critique and reactions, helpful poetry web-links and events, as well as, creative responses.”

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10 Comments

  1. Paula A. John
    August 24, 2013

    Just wanted to say ‘thank you’ for your very generous comments! It really is a joy to write and share poetry. Here’s an invitation to join the DPC group on Facebook and enjoy a rich and diverse experience. May I also introduce you to my novel on Amazon. Click for a preview and reviews:
    http://www.amazon.com/Taming-Hurricane-Paula-A-John/dp/1452805512

  2. Anonymous
    May 26, 2013

    Great work. Will look at brides in white in a new way now.

  3. Rhona
    May 25, 2013

    So sad though that some have to live a lie to please social/religious standards. Different tone from your other works..nicely written

  4. Bull
    May 25, 2013

    Nice Ms John, juat witnessed another side to you..

  5. Nel
    May 24, 2013

    Deep and kinda melancholy but good very strong.

  6. arnold toulon
    May 24, 2013

    Rolling with sweet lyricism, Almost ends sad, yet it is an abstract reality..

  7. River Street
    May 24, 2013

    Paula a deep expression of the charade expected of many.
    You are indeed poetic.

  8. Anonymous
    May 24, 2013

    Love it. I think many can relate. Keep on sharing…

  9. Jenny James
    May 24, 2013

    Rise and shine like the star you are,Paula!….Beautifully written poem!..

  10. Noxi D'Kawat
    May 24, 2013

    It’s your day, WEAR WHITE IF YOU WANT TOO, clothe yourself with purity – cause if you don’t feel pure, like a new day is dawning, then it will all be for naught – nice piece of writing, Paula

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