Painting the Dress
Preparation for the fire
By Harper LewisPublished 23 days ago • Updated 22 days ago • 1 min read
My photo
I’ll do it in red, with my hands
and fingers. No, not a scarlet letter,
crimson words. A letter only gives
one sound. These words:
rage
shame
betrayal
lies
guilt
doubt
abandonment
disrespect
grief
jealousy
rage
hatred
will bleed into my dress,
scream all of their resonant dischords
before I put it in the fire.
While it burns, I’ll dance naked,
barefoot,
rocks in my mouth
to silence the stone
still beating in my chest
without you.
About the Creator
Harper Lewis
I'm a weirdo nerd who’s extremely subversive. I like rocks, incense, and all kinds of witchy stuff. Intrusive rhyme bothers me, but I'm slowly stepping out of my comfort zone. Watch me grow!
MA English literature, College of Charleston
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Comments (10)
Harper, you made magick out of anguish, such a powerful piece. Crimson is one of my daughter's names and perfectly matches her hair. I chose her name before she was born; funny how she happened to be a redhead. Congratulations on making the leadership board this week❣
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Back to say congrats..nice to share the leaderboard with you lass and of course - Matty.
Congratulations on Making it on the Leaderboard 🥰🏆
The symbolism is powerful. "Crimson words" represent transforming deep pain and betrayal, while the burning of the dress and dance signify a radical release, a shedding of that weight.
This one cuts deep, but the fire dance is magical and powerful
Heartbreaking but still beautiful.
Haunting and visceral—every line feels like an act of release.
This feels ritualistic. Super cool work.
Powerful and devastating are the two words that came to mind.