Sunday, May 6, 2012

In Her Gilded Cage



Sitting on the ledge of the carved window she looked outside; it was so beautiful. The trees were so green and lush and the brightly clothed flowers invited all to go out and play. The wind teased the tall grasses and she longed to feel it against her skin and in her hair. She wondered what it was like to walk freely with nothing covering her face and her bare feet touching the ground.
Shivering she remembered that today she would be introduced to the man who would be her husband. She'd never seen him face to face and wondered what he would be like. Would her appearance give him pleasure? What would their lives be like? Would he give her children? Would they know happiness?
The last seventeen years of her life she'd been taught how to cook, sew and to know her place; walking out in public she was to walk with her face down looking at her father's or brother's feet and always remain three steps behind. Yes, she knew her place, but just once she wanted to know what it felt like to walk side by side with a man; to feel protected and valued, just for who she was and not for what she could do or for the heir she would provide.
Looking around the fine castle that had been her home and her prison she did not relish exchanging it for another gilded cage. Though only the finest of garments would touch her skin and the most excellent of foods her lips and while she would have everything, she would not have freedom. 
A fleeting look around the room brought no emotion, no feelings of home; of anything. It was after all just a cage.
         She turned and walked away, acceptance in her golden eyes; it was time to meet her new owner.
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Written for Poetry Picnic Week 33 at JP At Olive Garden at: http://gooseberrygoespoetic.blogspot.com/2012/04/poetry-picnic-week-33-fortresses.html
Once again, thanks for the opportunity!

14 comments:

  1. This is beautiful and a most excellent write, Elizena! You cature the emotions of this situation so perfectly! Well done!

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    1. Thanks for the comment Charles! I always look forward to your visits and any advice you can give me to improve my writings. Hope your week has been going well for you and your wife. Be blessed!

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    1. Thanks for the visit and the comment Asim. Really do appreciate it. Be blessed!

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  3. What a lovely job! I used to tell people it was hard being put on a pedestal, there's not enough room to live on top and you would be a fool to climb down....

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    1. Thanks for your visit and comment. Until the very last minute I wasn't quite sure what to write about, then I saw a woman that regularly walks down our street. She forgot herself and caught up to her husband. He stopped on the sidewalk and looked over at her. He was too far for me to see his expression, but her body language said it all. She'd made a mistake and just for a minute she'd tried to be his equal. Her head bent even lower than it had been and she backed up until she was three or four steps behind him. Once she was back in her proper place he started walking again and I wanted to throw something at him.
      I walked inside, sat at my lap top and this story is what came out of that. Thanks for reading.

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  4. This sounds and reads like spoken poetry. Truly, truly awesome.

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    1. Thank you so much for this comment. Wow, what a compliment! I'm sitting here with a big smile on my face. You've made me feel really great. Be blessed!

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  5. beautifully penned.. it was a prose piece but i sensed the poetry behind it. This chain, this never ending chain hurts so much. I had tried my hand in an abstract sort of poem with a similar theme. Just added a fear of undoing some bonds but not all..of holding keys to all but not knowing which goes where..and by the time you attain freedom...you are too tired physically, mentally to bother...

    http://insatiablemelody.blogspot.in/2011/08/not-so-abstract.html


    cheers!!

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    1. Thanks for your visit and the comment. I know it sounds cheesy, but I write what's in my heart and mind at the moment...literally. LOL! Thanks again and many blessings to you and yours. :-)

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  6. Very nicely done. Smoothly written prose, capturing a poetic effect. I am a big fan of using questions in the body of prose, really nice touch here. Thanks

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    1. Thanks for the comment and the visit Fred. I'm trying hard to learn other styles of writing, but I've discovered I'm much more comfortable writing the way I speak. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Be blessed.

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  7. Great write here... Very well penned!

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    1. Thanks MrWatson! Your visit and comment are welcomed and much appreciated. Be blessed!

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