For The Love of Gorgon (Stone-faced Poem)
Dealing With Problems Head-On Was Not Their Strong Suit
He
was about the opposite of
Medusa, his stare
turning itself
to stone, without aid
of mirrored shield.
She,
in the face of
that stare, usually
transmuted to dust, from which
a few small slivers
of heart
slithered frantically.
He,
being stone,
did not much care
for dust (a bleak future
for granite) while
she
became increasingly
desperate,
trying to capture the
wriggles of what had
been her life
before they slipped
under the couch, or behind
the wainscoting.
The above is a poem written for a dVerse Poets prompt on “sculpture,” hosted by Victoria C. Slotto.
If you have any time this weekend, please please please check out, my comic novel,NOSE DIVE, book of poetry, GOING ON SOMEWHERE, or children’s counting book 1 MISSISSIPPI. Pearl, below, likes Going on Somewhere, but Nose Dive is only 99 cents on Kindle.
Pearl Perusing GOING ON SOMEWHERE
Tags: manicddaily, Medusa poem, Poem about couple in difficulties, Poetry reading dog, Stone-dust poem, stonefaced poem
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ManicDDaily 
February 25, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Though this is not exactly a humorous poem, I actually laughed out loud at the opening line of the second stanza–quite a perceptive capture of a relationship, a comparison of very unlikely elements conjoined to their own detriment, and what ought to have been a predictable dust-up, as it were. And a little dollop of myth just adds to the rather dry aftertaste. Those fragments of heart splinters are hard to sweep up.
February 25, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Ha, thanks. I thought of a humorous side to it–about male and hair cropped and a few silly things–even about the mirror–but seemed to all get too involved and long. K.
February 25, 2012 at 4:52 pm
smiles…same as hedge…i too was smiling even if it is a serious topic..but you brought it across in your own unique way..i like..
February 25, 2012 at 5:43 pm
the slithering bits of heart in the dust is a fricking awesome image…and her trying to gather them as well…i can see where the laughter comes from in that image…very well played k….
February 25, 2012 at 6:07 pm
Yes, I was thinking snakes–but not sure that came across, thanks!
February 25, 2012 at 6:05 pm
I loved the title, and I too saw the humor! (I don’t care for dust either. Ha.)
February 25, 2012 at 6:46 pm
I liked the fear of the statues becoming dust, ascribing emotion to them, and really the whole last stanza brought the poem home in a strong ending.
February 25, 2012 at 7:32 pm
I like these lines best ~ (I too saw the humor in the he/she verses)
transmuted to dust, from which
a few small slivers
of heart
slithered frantically.
Great write ~
http://a-sweetlust.blogspot.com/2012/02/walking-around.html
February 25, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Brilliant, clever…let’s see: are there any other synonyms. And yet, too often, a sad reality. And by the way, EVERYONE, Karin’s novel, “Nose Dive,” is a delightful, fun read and will take you right back to the joys and angst of your teens.
February 25, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Thank you so much, Victoria!
February 25, 2012 at 11:50 pm
What an observant description.
February 26, 2012 at 4:23 am
I was entertained and more than that, thoroughly engaged with the poem throughout. But:-
trying to capture the
wriggles of what had
been her life
before they slipped
under the couch, or behind
the wainscoting.
was the icing on the cake. It was so absolutely, beautifully, giggleworthy right! Thanks.
February 26, 2012 at 11:38 am
Medusa has always transfixed my imagination since I was a boy. Something Freudian in that perhaps! I was especially intrigued by the hero’s ability to counter the danger. So simple a solution to the challenge. Your poem really captures the danger, perhaps playfully, of the myth and how it plays itself out still in everyday life.
February 26, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Always have been fascinated with that Medusa story and yes, you put a modern-day, humorous spin on this…I really enjoyed it.
February 27, 2012 at 4:13 am
Love the humour here and the smiles that came with it!
Anna :o]