A Tomb of An Ancient Bloom

You look at me and see a northeast highway after winter
Cracked, worn, roughened by conditions not meant to be endured.
I was once the most beautiful cobblestone pathway through a garden of ripe, unpicked fruit.
I was the apple whose sweet center no man could resist tasting
But you see affliction where held addiction.

You think my mind feeble, that thoughts slip through my brain
Like water through a child's fingers in a sudsy, post-playtime bath.
But I was once the network that ran every station in the steel-girded high rise
And ran the split level in the suburbs. I never needed to reboot.
A victim of time, still in her prime.

I look in the mirror and don't understand who that old woman is who gapes back.
I have long blonde tresses and eyes that rival Liz Taylor on her best day.
This, this is a shadow -- a black and white picture version of a colorful scene.
Inside I am 25, still as vibrant as the peacock whose feathers once graced my favorite hat.
I'm a tomb . . . of an ancient bloom.
                                                                        February 14,2016.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Agustin Avatar
August 27, 2023 at 11:39 PM
Thanks for sharing this... exposing your thoughts through your unique poetic style. Meanwhile, I greet you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.
Macmillan Avatar
May 10, 2017 at 6:50 PM
Hello Cindi, I apologize for the late closure of my contest and I appreciate your patience. Your take on the theme of own it was creative. The metaphor works so well. Thank you for sharing this on soup. Cheers, Cyndi
Johnson Avatar
August 7, 2016 at 9:04 PM
This is a great ;poem. Could be the winner in any poetry contest. Love, Joyce
Rockwell Avatar
August 7, 2016 at 11:01 PM
Thank you, Joyce! I appreciate you reading and commenting! ~Cindi~
Scars Avatar
August 7, 2016 at 7:14 PM
Cindi, congrats on your placement with this wonderful poem :)-luloo,
Rockwell Avatar
August 7, 2016 at 7:35 PM
Thank you, Laura Loo!
U.D Palawon  Avatar
August 7, 2016 at 11:01 AM
Interesting write. Congrats on your win. :) Sunita
Rockwell Avatar
August 7, 2016 at 11:25 AM
Thank you.
Lamoureux Avatar
August 6, 2016 at 9:53 AM
Congrats on your win in my contest.
Rockwell Avatar
August 6, 2016 at 11:28 AM
Thanks so much for placing my poem!
A  Avatar
May 7, 2016 at 4:42 PM
Cindi, nice to see this poem in Justin's contest. *skat*
Rockwell Avatar
August 6, 2016 at 11:28 AM
Thank you, Skat!
A   Avatar
March 19, 2016 at 11:54 PM
Cindi, nice to see your poem got an HM on Justin's latest contest. HUGS ~LINDA~
Hicks Avatar
March 15, 2016 at 1:06 AM
A pleasure to read your verse yet again, Cindi. Still enthralled the next go around ... what you feel on the inside will affect your outside. Our minds are powerful.
Inman Avatar
March 3, 2016 at 8:53 AM
Cindi, a wonderful interpretation of this very open and stimulating theme. Beautiful use of metaphor and simile. ("Old? I didn't know until you told me." My one posted quote on the Soup.)
Rockwell Avatar
March 3, 2016 at 10:16 AM
Thanks! Only by looking at my grown daughters (22 & 23) and the mirror (yikes) do I remember I'm old too! Great quote!
Lindley Avatar
February 25, 2016 at 5:40 PM
Women often mourn their lost youthful beauty and we men often mourn our lost youthful vigor and sex drive. Truly exceptional verse you've created and images and truth in it are by any standard awesome. A7
Sergi Avatar
February 18, 2016 at 10:03 AM
Hi Cindi: It's a pleasure to be introduced to your prolific writing a tomb of ancient bloom. Great Poem!
Rockwell Avatar
February 18, 2016 at 10:41 AM
Thank you so much! And for taking the time to read and comment.
Callus Avatar
February 18, 2016 at 9:13 AM
Your write is very powerful and expressive, Cindi...metaphorically rich and reaching out emotionally. Touched by the end stanza. gl in the contest. // paul
Rockwell Avatar
February 18, 2016 at 9:20 AM
Thank you. Appreciate you reading and commenting on my work!
Hicks Avatar
February 18, 2016 at 12:08 AM
I've read a few of these entries, but I enjoyed how different and abstract your take on it was. Your self-portrait is very vivid with colorful wording, especially the peacock line. I hope this does well in the contest.
Rockwell Avatar
February 18, 2016 at 8:59 AM
Thank you. I love reading the other entries and seeing where each mind was taken by that incredible prompt. I wonder if, like me, there was only one road to follow? Regardless, thanks again for reading and commenting!
Delaney Avatar
February 16, 2016 at 6:12 PM
Great thoughts and angle on this subject. Such a wonderful expression of a faded beauty...it is the hardest loss for a woman. I am giving this a seven and a FAV to read again. It will place high I think. SuZ
Rockwell Avatar
February 16, 2016 at 6:39 PM
Thank you. Always felt for my mother, who was a great beauty in her youth. Fortunately, I don't have as far to fall!
Nunez Avatar
February 14, 2016 at 8:58 PM
Forgot that one can't rate without using this space. On your comment, reply, that's a possibility. You may wish to put a date on your entry so the sponsor sees the original, and place you accordingly.
Nunez Avatar
February 14, 2016 at 8:24 PM
One of the best I've read for this contest. Powerful metaphors and images. Hi Cyndi. Is it ok to ask here the meaning behind "And the split level in the suburbs, never needing to reboot"? It's the only line I didn't get. Thank you. I really like your write. Kim
Rockwell Avatar
February 14, 2016 at 8:53 PM
See my comment below. I feared others mike find the same inspiration.
Rockwell Avatar
February 14, 2016 at 8:49 PM
It goes with the sentence before: I was the network that not only ran the office but also the home setting and never needed to reboot like today's computers.
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