Fragile

Fragile

She seems so fragile.
I imgaine you with her, touching her gently,
as she lets her slender fingers linger on your skin -
those fingers with the long polished nails
she must spend hours on each week to maintain so perfectly.
Her face, her body and her hair are smooth - so smooth and beautiful.
How delicate her features.
She’s a china doll with a tiny waist that would fit so easily in a man’s embrace -
that type of girl I suppose appears in most men’s fantasies.

I see her at my workplace, sitting so demurely,
giggling softly when she takes your phone calls.
You call her often, and I know why.
She demands so much attention
from every man I’ve seen her get involved with.
I’ve also seen her eyes well up with tears
when the boss not too severely reprimands her.
Yes, she’s the epitome of fragility.

I, on the other hand, am not a tiny helpless china doll.
I am average sized, cheerful and robust,
and I cry too, just not so easily.
My nails are not long, but otherwise, I take care of myself.
I’m feminine though not a china doll.
Delicate is not a word that would enter someone’s mind to describe me
except perhaps in the way I use my voice, for I am tactful.
Personable, practical, sincere and steady are other words
I hope would spring to someone’s mind if they should describe me.

I overhear my lovely workmate’s conversations,
for her desk is right near mine.
Needy is another word that very much describes her.
It seems to be the major attribute of this helpless-acting clinging vine.
Often I daydream of you and me together, and in that dream,
it’s I whom you caress so softly as I let my fingers linger on your skin.
Then passion overtakes us, and I become something wild,
not in the least bit fragile. I’m a woman, and my desires are strong.

I always say hello the times you come to see your china doll.
I also smile at you. Can you read the want inside my eyes?
Lately I’ve been noticing the days you come to pick her up,
how more quickly your smiling eyes are meeting mine. . . .
I bide my time.

Written Oct. 17, 2017 for John Hamilton's "Fragile" Poetry Contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Barden Avatar
October 25, 2017 at 4:52 PM
Wonderfully-penned, Andrea - Best wishes and congratulations on your well-deserved win, my friend! :-)
Daniel Avatar
October 22, 2017 at 9:19 AM
Belated congratulations on a riveting winner, Andrea:)
Pigeon Tart Avatar
October 19, 2017 at 6:59 AM
Wowsa! What a fabulously original poem :) a great read! Congratulations dear xomo!
Duet Avatar
October 18, 2017 at 11:41 PM
Oh wow! I love it...your style is always so perfect and your imagination is so fertile. Just great, Andrea. And, I too love the ending.
Borke Avatar
October 18, 2017 at 5:35 PM
2 for 1, here goes: (I had actually read it earlier) Brilliantly expressed. Men tend to succumb to empty shells. And cunning women are worse!
Smith Avatar
October 18, 2017 at 4:05 PM
Excellent Andrea, congrats :)
May Avatar
October 18, 2017 at 4:00 PM
Your smiling eyes may soon dethrone the china doll...:-)....best wishes in the contest Andrea...
May Avatar
October 18, 2017 at 6:26 PM
I see you won in the contest..Congrats
Hamilton Avatar
October 18, 2017 at 2:58 PM
Well written, although not a big fan of prose poetry this one stuck with me. It struck me as though coming from an experienced pen, and voila it is you! No surprise here, congrats on a great win!
One Avatar
October 18, 2017 at 6:20 AM
An interesting take on the contest Andrea.. Well written..
Sivey Avatar
October 18, 2017 at 5:11 AM
I really love the last few lines, "Lately I've been noticing the days you come to pick her up,/how more quickly your smiling eyes are meeting mine..../I bide my time," such a brilliant write my friend! You have mastered the art of storytelling within a poem, an almost narrative style of writing! I thought you have shown the fragility of the China Doll quite well Andrea! I loved your delightful piece, Great Work!!
Wigley Avatar
October 18, 2017 at 1:14 AM
Excellent write, Andrea, and love the Praying Mantis finish. Viv x
Ashley Avatar
October 17, 2017 at 6:01 PM
A riveting write Andrea. Told in an intimate tone that captivated my attention. Good luck in the contest!
Bauer Avatar
October 17, 2017 at 4:50 PM
wow! you had me mesmerized from the very first line, andrea! of course, i'm rooting for the (fictional, i'm assuming) "i" of the poem and the ending gives me hope that she'll win out...
Smith Avatar
October 17, 2017 at 4:38 PM
A wonderfully weaved story poem Andrea
Pandit Avatar
October 17, 2017 at 4:16 PM
Lovely story in this poem--I see the turn in the end--well written Andrea--best for a win!
Smith Avatar
October 17, 2017 at 3:20 PM
Fragile?, I think not. Quite a table turner Andrea, great write, best wishes in the contest...
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