15 March 2020

Defining Features


Photo from and poem for Sunday Muse #99.




Who says that black and white are flat without
defining features? They are velvet and 
satin, knife-edged and stark, mysterious
and transparent. They mirror each other
completely in tales of sorrow and love.

Black and white film reveals complex shades in
An Imitation of Life.* No one is 
satisfied. Mothers let down daughters and
daughters abandon mothers in tirades
of inside-out words, unforgettable.

But let's leave 19-30s and 19-
50s images behind in the 20-
20s.  Even now, an apple with one 
slice removed sits innocently as if 
quiet, but today we know it's screaming.

We also know that it is not alone,
that its friends and allies are genuine
and not imitations. They are velvet 
and satin, knife-edged and stark–and they are 
not silent, but expressive in power.


Imitation of Life (1934/1959)

My blog poems are rough drafts.
     Please respect my copyright.
 If you quote, credit this page.
   © 2020 Susan L. Chast






7 comments:

  1. Velvet and satin.......lovely. especially powerful is "inside we know it's screaming." Yes we do. Wonderful poem, Susan.

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  2. I love the deep journey this poem leads me on Susan! Powerful and thought stirring. A brilliant poem and I love it! So glad you are here for the 99th Muse!!

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  3. They are velvet and
    satin, knife-edged and stark

    Nice!

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  4. Poems that ask and answer a question are among my favorites! Great write.

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  5. I love the contrast of velvet and satin, knife-edged and stark. Sort of like the people we meet! Great poem.

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