Balanced On the Edge

Camino de Santiago

read, write, collaborate

In Your Eyes My Own Reflection

When you step out from behind
a gossamer curtain, the shape
of your face, the line of your lips,
releases the light, curves into morning.

Pieces of me stick to whoever
gets too close, they tie you down,
rough as rope.

As you peel me away
I feel a shiver, notice a reflection
in a mirror – is it you, or is it me?

***

The lines from this poem come from several different poets. To read the original lines, visit read write poem’s collaborative poetry prompt, by Read Write Poem participant Holly, from Lost Kite.

collaborative poetry, poems

read write poem

Published by

Christine

Responses

Nathan

November 6, 2008 at 9:00 am

I love how the final question comes from being peeled away — the whole movement of the poem, joining and separating, is wonderful.

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christine

November 6, 2008 at 9:07 am

Thanks, Nathan. you always make me feel good about what I write, *smile*

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Jo

November 6, 2008 at 10:38 am

Yes, what Nathan said, this is lovely and the movement wonderfully done.

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winedark sea

November 6, 2008 at 12:01 pm

• tight

• spare

• powerful

• quite fine

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Annette

November 6, 2008 at 2:28 pm

This is beautiful. I love the (positive) tension of the moment and the sense of fragility.

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blythe

November 6, 2008 at 5:53 pm

Christine: Really wonderful imagery. This poem feels hot and sticky. I love how cohesive this feels, considering how it was formed. I was astonished that my little poem I wrote from all the lines seemed to wind itself together cleanly, and it looks like yours did as well.

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Holly D

November 6, 2008 at 7:12 pm

Very vulnerable…well done! And yes, we do need to get together for a reading, or coffee and talk. You like coffee? tea?

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christine

November 6, 2008 at 7:27 pm

Blythe, I need to get over to your place to read!

Holly, yes, I love coffee and tea, as long as there are cookies too, *grin*

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gautami tripathy

November 7, 2008 at 5:03 am

Like the question at the end. I wonder…

ribbons of her thoughts

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Julie

November 7, 2008 at 10:42 am

I love the prompt, Holly! I’d like to be in your class.

Christine, this poem is excellent! My favorite stanza is the second, but it’s all very strong. Beautiful. I’d like to be in your class, too:)

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rob kistner

November 7, 2008 at 11:34 am

For me, this is a crisp look at one catching glimpse of their ‘other’ self, perhaps their ‘core’ self – often less understood than their personally perceived self.

Excellent piece… 😉

…rob

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deb

November 7, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Yes, it is yours, it is more. Just as is the sentiment of the poem: Lovely fragments make the whole.

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robert bourne

November 10, 2008 at 10:24 am

I just discovered your site I will be back.. I enjoyed it..:)))

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