Poetry & Prose by Carol J Forrester
There were roses in the stain glass,
between the door and the coat hooks,
blues and yellows, pinks and orange
mashed together in a narrow slab
of light refracted back off itself
until it collapsed into the hallway
sickened and greening on the hardwood floor
where my suitcases sat
waiting for someone else to lift them
but not quite sure
which direction they wanted to take.
Carol J Forrester is a writer and a history geek. Her debut collection 'It's All In The Blood' came out November 2019. She has a 2:1 BA degree in history from Bath Spa University, enjoys judo at least twice a week, and tries to attend poetry events around the Midlands when she can. Her flash fiction story ‘Glorious Silence’ was named as River Ram Press’ short story of the month for August 2014 and her short story ‘A Visit From The Fortune Teller’ has been showcased on the literary site Ink Pantry. Her poems ‘Sunsets’ and ‘Clear Out‘ were featured on Eyes Plus Words, and two of her poems were included in the DVerse Poets Pub Publication ‘Chiaroscuro’ which is available for purchase on amazon.Her poem ‘Until The Light Gets In‘ was accepted and published at The Drabble and her poem ‘Newborn’ was published by Ink Sweat & Tears. She has been lucky enough to write guest posts for sites such as Inky Tavern and Song of The Forlorn and has hosted a number of guest bloggers on her site Writing and Works. View all posts by Carol J Forrester
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
When the stain glass colors seem sickening it might be a reason to let the suitcases leave… a wonderful and sad image you paint…
Indeed. I’m glad you think so.
Poignant yet beautiful 🙂
Thank you. 🙂
“Sickened and greening”…quite an image there of that broken stained-glass and really liked your addition of the suitcases needing someone to take them…somewhere.
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed the piece.
The glass echoing the sentiment, perhaps…and the suitcases…what happens next? Love that you leave it hanging.
I liked the parallel between the uncertainty of the poem and the character’s mindset. [Doesn’t that make me sound artsy.] You’re right about the glass though. I was thinking about Mackintosh’s stain glass roses and this sort of stemmed from that.
i suppose
if depression
could really
show as
movie
or poem
there would
be less stigma
and more wanting
to understand
and gently
help
move
the suitcase
on for where it
can go
next..
sickest of the
sick often receive
the least love or care..
and to be clear i have no
idea if
you’ve
ever now
experienced
anything like
what your words
bring to me.. but
it is what
it is
my
friend
to me..:)
This piece was supposed to be about a relationship ending and I was trying to write it from the viewpoint of someone trying to leave but not knowing if they should or if they really wanted to.
It’s funny you mention depression however, I’m currently working on a poem about depression.
Smiles.. Thanks for the clarification of the meaning you intended.. Of course our personal experiences impact our discernment of all language.. And mine is tainted both very light and very dark with only memories of dark.. TG.. At any rate.. thanks for the inspiration of your poetry.. Friend..:)
Just enough said and hinted at, an intriguing and poignant poem.
Thank you, I’m glad you think so.
Dazzlingly good little piece Carol – love the imagery – lovely and powerful use of language that hits the spot perfectly at the end – I wall deffo be back for more… With Best Wishes Scott http://www.scotthastie.com
Thank you Scott, I’ll look forward to hearing from you again. 🙂 I’ll make sure to pop by and check you out in turn.
How beauty can turn pallid and sickening when one has to leave it, not knowing where to go.
Indeed. Uncertainty can taint many things.
There is such assurance in light through stained glass roses — the welcoming assurance of coming home — when that light falls to the suitcases on the floor, it has changed to the confusion and uncertainty of leaving. So well crafted, tightly, tautly put. Well done.
Thank you. 🙂
“waiting for someone else to lift them
but not quite sure
which direction they wanted to take.”
I loved this – sorry it took longer before I could visit you. Hope you have enjoyed your OLN.