The 12 inch heel, the confident gait,
The measured steps, the sudden halt,
The blush on cheeks, the smoldering eyes,
The hands on hips, head held high,
The silken gown, barely there,
A tilt of neck, balanced well,
The sultry glance, timed right,
Perfect half twirl, played twice,
With a graceful swirl, she turns back.
The world looks on with stolen breath,
Oohs, aahs, applauds, encores.
The showstopper’s yesterday,
Now hangs in a gallery,
Fading parchment, guarded unnecessarily.
No shadows of glamour come a-chasing,
For vacant eyes and sagging skin,
For shattering illusions, hanging questions,
Am I never going back?
Linking with The Mag : Mag 147
Linking with Write on Edge : The Red Writing Hood - The Gallery
Linking with The Velvet Verbosity : 100 Words - Breath
Very well written, and rather moving...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for such kind words.
Deletelove your wordsworth quote. He was a favorite in college. And don't know how you wrote this piece, very clever. Must have taken a long time! I need to check out those ridinghood prompts.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandra. I did not work by a clock but not mre than what I would spend on any other post, I guess. Your words made me so happy. Looking forward to see you on writinghood.
DeleteThis is a perfect blend for all the prompts. Great writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Deana. It is so encouraging to hear from you. And hopefully you are feeling better now.
DeleteI like it! The choice of words paints a vivid picture.
ReplyDeletestopping by from WOE
Thank you Cait. I really appreciate your visit and your words.
DeleteLovely & nostalgic. We all grapple with this in life. Change. The fleeting nature of youth.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lucy and your words are spot on.
DeleteOh, how nicely done, Ruby. It is both sad, thoughtful, and thought-provoking. Underneath your poem is a commentary on beauty and aging. If one only has physical beauty to define oneself or as a sort of accomplishment, aging and the loss of youthfulness can be quite painful and sad.
ReplyDeleteThank you Imelda. I am glad that the poem conveys what it is supposed to :)
Delete..a thought-provoking one with such vivid imagery... yet enjoyed the read... smiles...
ReplyDeleteThank you Kelvin. It is quite a compliment. I really enjoyed hearing from you.
DeleteStopping by from WOE! This is simply awesome, I loved every single word!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Melanie. I am glad to hear such positive thoughts on the post from you.
Deletethe end is not always very happy is it! Brilliantly done and a very clever idea the way you put it. My favorite on your blog up til now!
ReplyDeleteThank you Habiba. I am overwhelmed by your response. Thank you so much.
DeleteIt speaks to what we all know, inside, and never ever say: No one's ending is ever happy.
ReplyDeleteWhat is more tragic, if you will, is the slow fading of attributes past - sometimes it would seem much better to "go out on top".
I love the piece. It says all that and more.
Thank you LceeL. You interpreted it so much better than I would have done. Thank you so much.
DeleteVery poignant! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Tessa.
Deletefabulous imagery. I can see her strutting her stuff then suddenly realizing time has passed, is it all she wanted, could she go back to what she was.
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
Thank you so much Carrie. It is so good to hear that the character came alive.
DeleteGreat imagery.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carver.
DeleteHow sad; the contrast you draw is so complete, it's hard not to mourn that loss.
ReplyDeleteThank you Annabelle. Yes, for someone who has had so much to look forward to in life, the loss would be devastating.
DeleteThis made me think of an aging actress, and her fading 15 minutes of fame. A wonderful descriptive piece.
ReplyDeleteThe picture prompt was that of a model and since your guess is pretty close, I am happy that my writing did some justice to the picture.
DeleteSo touching, I like how you put it together!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Karen.
DeleteSuch a sad and honest ending. I really enjoyed strolling through this.
ReplyDeleteThank you T. I am glad you enjoyed your stroll. I love this expression.
DeleteAhhh youth gone....
ReplyDeleteYour words are so lovely here and melancholy and thoughtful. I re-read it twice and the last stanza thrice! Beautiful, Ruby!
Thank you Gina. I cherish all your encouragement and appreciation. Thank you so much.
DeleteGuarded unnecessarily.
ReplyDeleteThis is sad, but liberating as well.
Terrific piece, Ruby.
Thank you so much Kelly for encouraging me.
DeleteWhat a bittersweet moment, the having of that sort of physical draw and then losing it to time and age.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with your thoughts Angela. Thank you so much.
DeleteThe tipping point between the vitality of youth and the feeling that perhaps your finest moments are behind you, only to be viewed in a static way... I guess we all grapple with that, but it saddens me...
ReplyDeleteWe all grapple with that, some people just a little more than others. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here Cameron.
DeleteWell I loved this. And I've been wrestling with this feeling myself lately...
ReplyDeleteMy WOE response took on a similar theme, but from the perspective of an old man.
I read yours and it was gorgeously put. Thank you so much for visiting me back and leaving such kind words.
DeleteYour post is very eloquent and speaks so much truth. The fade of youth is definitely like hanging a painting on a wall. Often ignored, but never forgotten.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Debbie. It is heartening to hear from you.
DeleteLovely imagery.
ReplyDelete