Tuesday, August 14, 2012

for elisa

I wrote this poem after a conversation with Elisa about the exorcism forced on her when she was in high school. We agreed that my divorce was an exorcism, and this poem came into my head.




I was married to the devil and he wore black
Yes he wore black and that's a matter of fact
Yes he wore black except when he wore red
He wore blood red when he dragged me off to bed

I struggled with the devil till he wore me down
He wore me down and he took me to town
We went to every bar and he made me a whore
I was the whore who would do it on the floor

I learned to love the devil till I was black and blue
I loved that devil like a high heeled shoe
The devil he taught me to love pain
I loved pain so much I was ashamed

Then the devil found a new love and left me behind
He left me behind as I cried and cried
I moaned that I loved him and he said fuck off
But still I loved that devil and couldn't stop

Finally a true friend came and rescued me
She staged an exorcism up in a tree
I fell from the tree of life and hit the ground
It woke me up and I went back to town

I wore my stilettos but I weren't no whore
When I danced I danced all round the floor
I screamed the devil he don't own me no more
And I danced my way right out the door

Now I love a man a real man as sleek as a god
He loves me when I'm good and ready with hands soft as balm
He don't wear black and he don't wear red
And I don't never, ever wanna leave our bed

29 comments:

  1. I'm glad you had your exorcism--feel better now??

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  2. Wow, a very powerful piece of poetry you have written there!
    It's funny how we are often attracted to the wrong type of man/men...just what are we thinking?
    I'm pleased that you got out of that relationship and found someone who deserves you.

    Blessings.

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    1. Thank you, Megan. I wish I could say I found someone else, but I haven't. The "I" in the poem is a persona, not actually me.

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  3. Good poem, and obviously a 'resolution' in the end!

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  4. Too bad my dog wasn't around to eat that bad man, like he did the troll!

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    1. The devil is much worse that a troll. I'm trying to remember what we called those trolls way back in the 60s. They were good luck trolls or happy trolls or something . . . . I can't remember but we loved our trolls. Now I look like a troll with my pink and blue hair.

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  5. So glad you got away from the devil man!! Whoohoo!! And happy now with your new love. :):)

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    1. It's not me! It's just a poem. As much as I'd like to have a new love, I don't.

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  6. There was a time when I should have asked for an ex - excuse.

    Beautiful, deep and much to think about poem.

    I like your way with words.

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  7. Thank you, Peaches. I like your way with words, too.

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  8. A powerful poem that shook me up inside my soul. If you know what I mean.

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  9. Somebody's been searching the soul. Good for you!!!

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  10. This has great rhythm, I was almost singing it as I read it. Way to go Janie.

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  11. Ooh, awesome analogy of an exorcism to the dissing of an awful man. I'm gonna dance with you while Tony V. sings to us. ;)

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  12. Putting that kind of stuff into words is like lancing a big boil and letting all the poison out. You should set it to music and sing it to the top of your lungs. Good job, kiddo.

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    1. I love to sing. People don't always love it when I sing, but I don't care anymore.

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  13. I loved this one. Funny and well said.
    www.thoughtsofpaps.com

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  14. awww isn't sweet, poetry. So uh hey, when did you want to get that cup of coffee?

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    1. Sadly, you live too far away, and besides, I don't drink coffee. And I think I'd be considered a pedophile if I went out with you.

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  15. Janie this is really touching, the Lord really has blessed you with the gift of poetry. You should consider publishing some of it, you know, to make money off the devil, he would hate it!. Will be back soon to resume our normal blogging relationship. :)

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    1. I don't think books of poetry sell well, but thanks for the lovely compliment.

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  16. Okay, so I'm really behind on reading and commenting.
    This was a fantastic poem. Loved the way it flowed. So well written, my friend!

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