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’24 Contemplation: W3 She Is Not A Wilted Flower

Written for W3 Prompt #97: Wea’ve Written Weekly posted on 
at the Skeptic’s Kaddish where Jane Aguiar is the host this week.

The prompt poem:

‘At the base of the mango tree’, a pantoum by Jane Aguiar

Jane’s prompt guidelines

  • Write a poem of three stanzas inspired by the phrase ‘A Wilted Flower’;
    • Rhyming: Optional

🥀

I
Before she moved in she was
wild and unhouse-able
—a misaligned, twelve-fingered,
possessed witch, haunting the
night air—a wilted flower.
Then she met Bill who vowed
to reform her and no one
saw the girl after that.

II
The world is not a kind place,
the house of abuse has no
doors and very small windows.
It’s a barnacled thing that
represses and depresses
and only the brave make it
out from a place like that. Why
do you stand there not caring?

III
It was rumored she met a
good match. It was rumored Bill
kept a firm hand with the girl—
the lone night air as witness,
a rank odor of stenches.
Near every shadow loomed ghosts
and sightings of her. Why do
you vilify that sister?
Who is the wilted flower?

© selma 🥀

Thank you for reading.

A pink Zinnia flower that is wilting in on itself
A pink Zinnia flower that is wilting in on itself by Josh Pollock is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0
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This Post Has 32 Comments

  1. rajkkhoja March 10, 2024 Reply

    Nice Post. Beautiful written poem.

  3. Sadje March 10, 2024 Reply

    A very evocative piece Selma.

  7. sgeoil March 11, 2024 Reply

    Your poem asks very deep questions of the reader. Well done.

    1. Selma Martin March 11, 2024 Reply

      Deep. Yes. Sometimes we need to ask to awaken, right. Thanks so much for reading, Heather. Xo

  8. Jane Aguiar March 11, 2024 Reply

    I like repetition. Nicely written, my friend.xoxo

  10. murisopsis March 11, 2024 Reply

    Unsettling and vivid – and it gave me pause. Thanks Selma for this wonderful poem. I love the descriptive verses and the ending that is unfinished or at least is seems so – perhaps her ghost haunted Bill to death…

    1. Selma Martin March 11, 2024 Reply

      Haunted the whole community for not acting on her behalf. We shouldn’t keep quiet.
      Thanks so much for engaging with the poem, Muri. Blessings.

  11. Maria Michaela March 11, 2024 Reply

    Unfortunately this happens a lot. I do love your poem, Selma.

    1. Selma Martin March 18, 2024 Reply

      This happens too often. Keeping quiet about abuse is disrespectful to all women (the abused are usually women) no matter what we think the woman’s faults are or how many fingers. We need to be on each others’ side.
      Sorry for the late response. Bless you for reading.

    1. Selma Martin March 12, 2024 Reply

      So pleased you read. Does this mean you’re better now? Aww. I really hope so. Blessings.

      1. Baydreamer - Lauren Scott March 12, 2024 Reply

        I’m trying to read because I feel bad missing so many, Selma. I feel better, thanks, no more foggy brain, but I’m still working through some health things. They’re not an easy fix, unfortunately, so my mind has had a tough time too. Thank you. xo

        1. Selma Martin March 12, 2024 Reply

          Take it easy please, Lauren. Your health is most important. We will all be here (God willing) when you’re all better. Promise. Yours is a beautiful soul. I feel it. Xoxo. Take care, sweetie. 🤗

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