Songs of Ophelia

I sing the songs of childhood A forgotten time... Before illusive fantasies of womanhood Before hearing of the murder of my dreams By the hand of my lover Who demands of me Things I cannot give Forcing issues of loyalty Between people I love And a woman’s heart rends Behind the curtain Hidden concern bleeds to death Overwhelmed By the accusations The violent demands The questioning eyes Slowly going insane Wearing my mourning gown of pain I sing I dance I twirl Ophelia’s songs Running through my head Flowers in my hands I dance Traipsing towards…. The water’s edge I wade in Clothes and all Looking for my cradle of solace I lie back Looking up at the azure sky Songs of childhood Of innocence lost And heartaches won A bird catches my eye Soaring free I stop singing Slowly tilting my head back The water covers my forehead Nestles over my open eyes Soothing me Singing its own lullaby A lullaby of childhood Of happy times Welcoming me I push further back And let the water Surge into my open mouth Through my nostrils I drink it in A moment more…. And I’ll be soaring free I cough out water Gasping for breath I hear noises A young girl crying “Mama, Mama….breathe!” A man’s arms are around me Holding me to the side Patting me on the back As I cough out more water… Spent I lie back And look into the sun Close my eyes I open my mouth And sing songs Songs of my childhood I hear the young girl cry I hear the man sigh I hear the people around whisper “She’s gone mad” I sing I open my eyes to search the sky For a lone bird Flying high Singing….singing Ophelia’s songs Till my day turns into night…. For Anne Currin's Suicide Contest August 2, 2013