Daddy’s little girl

he stretched and ripped her private flesh,
to fit the filthy image in his loins
wiped away the baby chuckles
besmirched her childish games and toys

who but he may dress his special girl
in the white of a virgin fantasy
make her his little bride
at another secret father’s day party?
who but he who shot the seed
may relieve his incestuous ache
against her embrionic womb?
and who but she has the means?

later, in the neighbours garden
as his traitorous fluid leaks down her legs
she seeks her small rebellion

a flash of cleansing flame
a choking glow that she, at least, has chosen
a few fetid intakes of breath
imitating freedom

there are faster, kinder entries
to liberty or death’s escape
but she is too young to know the words
or the ways
and too old to wipe the slate

Written for Michelle‘s Photo Fiction #56

©Jane Paterson Basil

3 Days 3 Quotes Day 3

Thank you, Gabolbol, for extending this challenge to me. Searching for appropriate quotes is always enriching and thought provoking. I hope you’ll forgive me for not naminating three bloggers today – my head is pounding from yesterday’s misadventures. I’m making up for it by dropping in an extra quote. Today’s quotes are about healing.

Like my friends Calen and Raili, I’m throwing this challenge open to anyone who’d like to join in.

 

Rules of the challenge: (which I have broken…)

1.Three quote for three days.

2.Three nominees each day(no repetition).

3.Thank the person who nominated you.

4.Inform the nominees.

A sudden desire

I have a sudden desire to share my favourite ever piece of music. It’s a song you’ll either love or hate, and it means a lot to me:

Softly Whispering I love You, by Congregation.

Self-deceit

over the years
I made believe
that the best way to heal
is to act like I’m well
to deceive myself
my family and friends
and now and again
my laughter felt real

it felt like progress
more than a lie
crushing my wish
to lay down and die

so it’s true it works
in a limited way
by helping me get
through difficult days

yet still at the root
at the core of my being
is a calcified canker
that hasn’t been healing

so I’ve ceased pretending
I’m doing well
and told my family
how I feel

they were there in the wings
and worried for me
now with their help
I’m sure to heal

The Daily Post #Pretend

This isn’t the time for careful, well-edited poetry…

©Jane Paterson Basil

The depth of down

all these years
through everything
sometimes I was bowed
but I always remained standing

don’t know how you do it, they said

but today I finally fell.
like there was no floor, no base

thought I knew how deep
down went, but no
it’s past fear, past panic
beneath agony and grief
so far, so, so far

my family was called
determined, they lifted me
gently
to the surface

with their help
I’ll be well again
maybe soon

©Jane Paterson Basil

3 Day 3 Quote Challenge Day 2

Thank you Gbolabo Adetunji for nominating me for this challenge. It’s a clever way to get my mind on happier subjects than those which have been going around in my head over the past couple of weeks.

To every people the land is given on condition. Perceived or not, there is a Covenant, beyond the constitution, beyond sovereign guarantee, beyond the nation’s sweetest dreams of itself.

Leonard Cohen

I’ve followed Leonard Cohen’s poetry and music since Suzanne hit the charts, way back when I was in my teens, and this quote speaks to my heart.

Today’s nominees are three great bloggers who are all relatively new to my aquaintance:

a mile in my shoes

Sumyanna

atrangizindagieksafar

Rules of the challenge:

1.Three quote for three days.
2.Three nominees each day(no repetition).
3.Thank the person who nominated you.
4.Inform the nominees.

3 Quotes 3 Day Challenge Day 1

Thank you Gbolabo Adetunji for nominating me for this challenge. It’s a clever way to get my mind on happier subjects than thosewhich have been going around my head over the past couple of weeks.

Here is my entry for day one:

My nominees for today are three amazing women with outstanding blogs – I recommend you check them out:

Calen

Raili

Vidhika

Rules of the challenge: 1.Three quote for three days. 2.Three nominees each day(no repetition). 3.Thank the person who nominated you. 4.Inform the nominees.