They call us by many names
~ whispers ~
mutating through time till we transform
into multi-headed hydra bearing little
resemblance to the flesh of our womanhood.
Our names are larger than we ever were
~ feared ~ revered ~ summoned ~
through incantations—hushed prayers, the fallen
ash of incense, fragrant flame tree flower filling
nostrils of the desperate. They wear amulets and
charms, chanting our names: once, twice, thrice—
invoking our power. We feed on slander of the fearful.
~ Wicked ~ bloodthirsty ~ filth-eating spirit ~
~ demonic beauty. Oh, yes—we become
what they fear the most. O ye puritanical self-
flagellators—when we enter your erotic dreams,
you declare us cursed. Oh, how the mighty fall
prey to forbidden desires. You created us
when you cast us onto history’s bonfire.
We fizzed and spat as our mortal coils burned,
vowing we would return to haunt you.
You cried Witch! The embers of our names
line your throat. It was for love that we burned.
We smoulder still.
About the Creator
Paris Rosemont
Thai Australian poet. Author of poetry collections 'Banana Girl' and 'Barefoot Poetess'.
You may find me at https://www.parisrosemont.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parisrosemont
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msparisrose/
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Comments (15)
Congratulations on your win, Paris! I was delighted to see this one place. Fantastic work❣🌹
Congratulations on your win! 🎉
Perfection.
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
This resonate so much.the only thing that I feel is underwhelming is the title
Congratulations! This is fantastic.
Love, love, love a concrete poem, especially one so well done! Amazing imagery and the tone is so explosive. I also love the sense of sprung rhythm of "...fragrant flame tree flower filling nostrils of the desperate." Congratulations on Top Story and whatever else this one wins.
Nice! I love feminist poems. Anne Carson writes a lot about woman and history. You've hit all the marks. Good on you!
Love this! 💕 “ It was for love that we burned. We smoulder still.” Beautifully put. Congratulations ✨🙏🤍🕊️
Great writing! And your flame-teardrop outline...genius! Top story congratulations 🎉
Paris, first of all, "Heck, yeah"- I absolutely love the format. This is one I will not forget anytime soon. Congratulations on your top story. I hope to see this one on the winner's list❣
✒️Stunning... Powerful! 👏
Paris, this is so, so stunning! I absolutely love the format you shared too, it’s so fitting! Gives it even more mysticism and power :)
Congratulations on your Top Story!
beautifully written and shaped 👏👏👏