Home » Poems » John Watt » Little Black Dress

John Watt | + Follow Poet |

Little Black Dress

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like John Watt.

I've waited for this day for years, bought myself a little black dress, did up my hair - now it's a mess, mascara colliding with tears. Poisoned, boiling emotions seethe with uncontrollable sobbing. This ache in my head is throbbing; chest so tight I can barely breathe. Our seventh anniversary of marital bliss strong and rich. We sailed through seven years - no itch! We'd toast sweet two-part harmony. My loving, attentive mister went off to dress, whistling our song. Then, wondering why he took so long, found him in bed with my sister. // Inspired by the photo shown here, plus the sad scene in the 'Frida' film where Friday Kahlo finds her husband sleeping with her sister // written 8 Aug 2020

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Sigrid Ermine

Date: 8/17/2020 3:26:00 PM

John, pure inspiration! First time I've come across this. Awesome, sweet, funny (apologies if not supposed to stir humour in the twist) True Winner, Congratulations!

John Watt
Date: 8/17/2020 3:55:00 PM

Humour is in the eye of the beholder, I always say! No apologies required, Sigrid, I'm glad you came by and left me with your inspiring words ~ John

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 8/17/2020 10:21:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. What a story/poem until the end. WOW!!! What an ending. Never saw that coming. Great write. Enjoy your win and day..............

John Watt
Date: 8/17/2020 11:29:00 AM

Thank you Paula for the encouraging remarks. An all-caps wow will make my day any day! Have a great day ~ John

Krish Radhakrishna

Date: 8/15/2020 8:03:00 AM

Congrats on your win! Explains why the woman is so horror struck! Do t know about the movie but yes, a terrible situation!

John Watt
Date: 8/15/2020 11:03:00 AM

Thank you for dropping by with your affirming words, Krish. Followed the muse... watching that movie had me in a bit of a dark place, I think. John

Janice Canerdy

Date: 8/15/2020 7:12:00 AM

CONGRATS on your well-deserved win, John! Excellent approach! Janice

John Watt
Date: 8/15/2020 11:02:00 AM

Thank you kindly, Janice. I loved your winning entry as well. God bless ~ John

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 8/15/2020 4:49:00 AM

So adorable, John. I love it!!! You were truly inspired. God bless you and congrats on your winning entry.

John Watt
Date: 8/15/2020 11:02:00 AM

Thank you for sponsoring such an interesting contest, and for deeming my write so favorably, Regina! God bless you, my friend ~ John

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 8/12/2020 12:05:00 AM

The ending was totally unexpected. Great job at fooling me completely.

John Watt
Date: 8/15/2020 10:55:00 AM

Caren, thanks for the visit and the affirming comment. Off to read your winning entry now ~ John

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 8/11/2020 11:06:00 AM

Wow, was not expecting this ending, clever - i loved the twist but when it suddenly comes in the last line and it involves an unhealthy situation with your nearest and dearest, its terribly sad - i wouldn't ever want to have anything to do with them - forgive, I don't think so, besides how do you forget or trust them again - excellent poem John - good luck in the contest, Blessings, Jennifer.

John Watt
Date: 8/11/2020 12:54:00 PM

Thank you dear one for posting your thoughtful comment here. It is a rare dark muse I followed into this black hole, but I don't wish to shy away from what is for some a gruesome reality. Thanks for the thoughtful and uplifting comment, my friend. God bless ~ John

Lonna Blodgett

Date: 8/11/2020 11:04:00 AM

Blind trust is such a gift - a blessing in dealing with life. But when broken it leaves a bottomless, abysmal hole that rarely mends. Your portrayal with this storyline goes to work in short time displaying this hardship we share as humans in learning about ourselves. Loved it John - went straight to my gut! Maybe write a sequel called "The Modest White Dress"

John Watt
Date: 8/11/2020 12:52:00 PM

Lonna, I so appreciate your deep read and thoughtful commentary. I apologize for that punch to the gut. It is (thankfully) not a reality in my life, but for some it is. Poetry helps us cope with what you call the bottomless, abysmal hole. Thanks for stopping by!

Evelyn Judy Buehler

Date: 8/10/2020 6:34:00 PM

John, your superb poem has captured the drama of disappointed hope and trust, and a broken heart. Sad and beautifully written. Blessings.

John Watt
Date: 8/11/2020 10:07:00 AM

Thank you for your careful read and thoughtful, uplifting comment Evelyn. Your words mean so much to me. God bless your day ~ John

Eve Roper

Date: 8/10/2020 5:55:00 PM

Fantastic verse with a great twist, John. Good luck in the contest.

John Watt
Date: 8/10/2020 6:00:00 PM

Thank you, Eve! Hugs ~ John

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 8/10/2020 5:18:00 PM

A wonderful poem John, inspired by the picture it conjures up the emotions of the lady being excited about the seven year anniversary celebration and then finding one's mister in bed with her sister. Awesome imaginative poetry. Belle

John Watt
Date: 8/10/2020 5:42:00 PM

Belle, thank you for the visit and kind review - you summed it up perfectly. Hope you are having a wonderful day ~ John

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 8/10/2020 11:59:00 AM

Wow! What a great job, John!

John Watt
Date: 8/10/2020 12:13:00 PM

Thank you, Kim! Much appreciated ~ John

Hannington Mumo

Date: 8/10/2020 11:12:00 AM

A perfectly melancholy plot. Vinegarously advanced through the subtle use of unputdownably nectarous poetic tropes - the unquestionably sumptuous literary doing of a doubtless consummate scribe...well demonstrably at home with his fine-filtered diction and firm thematic handle alike. Kudos, John!

John Watt
Date: 8/10/2020 11:43:00 AM

Thank you for your effusive, adverb-rich comment Hannington!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/9/2020 3:16:00 PM

omg, what a GREAT twist ending. I almost forgot that scene from Frida. What an amazing story about that artist and her horrible life of misery! (I see what you are doing. Maybe i should go add his contest title to my poem)

John Watt
Date: 8/10/2020 11:29:00 AM

Yes, from her accident to her miscarriage to her husband cheating to the endless pain and surgeries then having her friend Trotsky assassinated, nothing but struggle. Great art often comes from great suffering. Thanks for the comment, my friend.

Jan Allison

Date: 8/9/2020 2:58:00 PM

gosh i wasn't expecting the twist at the end of the poem, beautifully rhymed I especially love the vivid imagery in the first stanza:-) hugs jan xx

John Watt
Date: 8/10/2020 11:26:00 AM

Thank you for your lovely and uplifting comment, dear Jan. I don't write 'dark' very often, but this picture took my muse there. Have a great day, friend!

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 8/9/2020 2:34:00 PM

I like how you told this from the female point of view, love the line 'mascara colliding with tears' - so darkly rich -

John Watt
Date: 8/9/2020 2:40:00 PM

Thank you, Michelle. I don't do dark much, but the picture and the movie scene took me there.

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 8/9/2020 11:53:00 AM

Good penning John, this a dark one for you but certainly was interesting take. Hope all well this weekend, take care, Gordon

John Watt
Date: 8/9/2020 2:45:00 PM

Appreciate the visit, Gordon. Inspired by a sad scene in a bio movie about the artist Frida Kahlo.

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 8/9/2020 4:41:00 AM

Oh my... what a worrisome predicament. Love this. Bless you

John Watt
Date: 8/9/2020 2:44:00 PM

Thank you, Gina. Inspired by a sad scene in a bio movie.

Jack Horne

Date: 8/9/2020 4:18:00 AM

love the surprise ending here

John Watt
Date: 8/9/2020 2:42:00 PM

Thanks, Jack, appreciate the comment.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 8/9/2020 3:16:00 AM

Wow, that was some sting in the tail John. Tom

John Watt
Date: 8/9/2020 2:42:00 PM

Can you imagine simultaneously being betrayed by the two most significant people in your life?

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 8/8/2020 6:17:00 PM

Ooh, a clever twist at the end, John. I wasn't expecting that! Best wishes in Brian's contest! (Of course, it wold work for the other contest where the picture was posted, too.) Hugs, carolyn

John Watt
Date: 8/8/2020 6:37:00 PM

Hi Carolyn, it's a rare dark write for me, thankfully entirely fictional! It's where the pic and my muse took me. Thanks for the wonderful comment ~ John