The Christmas Bench

THE PARK BENCH AT CHRISTMAS

she shed first her hat, gloves and scarf.
later her glamorous coat, leggings and shoes.
she snatched off her dress to catch the eye,
then brassiere and panties but no man partook.

she plucked her eyebrows and hair off her scalp,
clipped fingers and toes and her iceberg nose,
then in utter horror, as she grew older, various parts
in a most vulnerable way began to fall away.

snowbirds begin to whisper of a skeletal noose —
the clickety-clack of a virgin’s jaw in maudlin movement,
as only the geese head South, her regret grows madder yet.
on the bench Madge sits in silvertone chattering bone

“all alone….all alone...all alone”

11/19/2018
Sandra Kendrick’s The Park Bench At Christmas Poetry Contest
Poem based upon a photo showing the skeleton of a woman
waiting on a park bench hoping to find a man tolove her
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Kendrick Avatar
December 18, 2018 at 8:52 AM
I got some humor out of this one in the second stanza where she plucked her eyebrows and hair ..I was thinking over grooming or how we women try to fix everything to look better. I am glad that you decided to participate in my contest and that you chose this picture for your theme. I enjoyed reading your winning work. Congrats. Sara
Rodrigues Avatar
December 18, 2018 at 9:24 AM
Thank you, Sara! I enjoyed your contest! :)
Allison Avatar
December 17, 2018 at 3:34 PM
I found the imagery so sad Kim, many congrats on your win:-) hugs Jan xx
Rodrigues Avatar
December 17, 2018 at 3:38 PM
Thank you, Jan! Merry Christmas!
Moorman Avatar
November 21, 2018 at 11:48 PM
If she had only dialed my number.... lol Great write, Kim. Merry Christmas!
Rodrigues Avatar
November 22, 2018 at 9:13 AM
:) so true! She needed to get off the bench!
Onclaud Avatar
November 20, 2018 at 5:40 PM
anything to seek attention when loneliness seeps in... and she withers away... deeply astonishing, kim..huggs
Rodrigues Avatar
November 20, 2018 at 5:54 PM
Thanks so much, Nette!
Laurie Avatar
November 19, 2018 at 9:16 PM
G'day Kim … some folk never get noticed no matter what they do so their cry in the wilderness is never heard - thanks Kim - Lindsay
Rodrigues Avatar
November 19, 2018 at 9:27 PM
That is so true! <3 Kim
Goff Avatar
November 19, 2018 at 2:58 PM
"her regret grows madder yet" absolutely exquisite line, Kim! maudlin images striking, Bravo!
Rodrigues Avatar
November 19, 2018 at 2:59 PM
Thanks so much, James! :)
Krutsinger Avatar
November 19, 2018 at 2:02 PM
"In silvertone chattering bone" - you have described how sad and cold Christmas is for some. Well-done.
Rodrigues Avatar
November 19, 2018 at 3:00 PM
For sure! I hope never to be that lonely! Always thankful!
Gauthier Avatar
November 19, 2018 at 1:38 PM
A moving tribute to loneliness at the harshest time of the year for many. Well done, Kim.
Rodrigues Avatar
November 19, 2018 at 3:00 PM
Thank you, Line!
Michaels Avatar
November 19, 2018 at 11:25 AM
I read this two or three times and was struck a) by the powerful imagery and b) by how creepy it is!! Then I looked back at the original contest and saw which picture you were basing it on... I understand!!! Great write. Good luck in the contest. Regards, John.
Rodrigues Avatar
November 19, 2018 at 11:28 AM
Thanks, John...lol!
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