Her ~ THe StEAmpUnk VErsiON

Victoria Slotto over at dVerse Poets Pub challenged us to create Steampunk Poetry by taking two contrasting, even incongruent topics and merging them in a poem. In addition, Victoria asked us to use enjambment, the literary practice of breaking up a syntactic unit, such as a phrase or sentence, at the end of a line or even between two verses.
How fun is that?  I started with the bold stanzas as a stand-alone piece, then interspersed the italicized content. Strange result, to say the least!
With no further ado…

Her ~ THe StEAmpUnk VErsiON

blue shoes
velvet not suede, bowed, her feet adorn

best used for shit-kicking the blues
fueled by Crazy Horse, Neil and
booze 

bangles
chimes tinkling in a forearm storm

old news, long-employed ruse
to cover old scars and
tattoos 

ensemble
purple, gold, refusing to conform

scents ooze, not sure who’s whose
while silk, velvet shield new
bruise 

halo
atop lined visage, firethorn

diffuse gray hair flying loose
natural red-head myth dis-
abused 

companion
adoring brown eyes rheumy, warm

once muse, now the one to abuse
her affections long his to
misuse 

countenance
calm, accomplished, weary, worn

bemused, weary, worn, over-used
on the prowl, blame and
accuse

contented

resented

take your cues or
lose

19 thoughts on “Her ~ THe StEAmpUnk VErsiON

  1. Never conform that’s what I say… this woman seems to have the strength not to… and good for her! Love how you have woven this together… very steampunk I think!

  2. Kim, this is BEYOND FUN!!!! I’m smiling ear-to-ear. Last year my husband and I were at a 70 year old’s b-day/dinner-dance party. My husband doesn’t like dancing but then they played the twist. We looked at each other, got up and let loose (we’re in the same generation as your lady). Such fun although the next day we thought about chiropractic! Loved it!

  3. I have to say–this is the definition of steampunk. And finely written poetry as well! Good blending of complex personality–very few people are 100% saint or sinner, but flow between the two. I like it!

  4. dang…nice back and forth between the two situations…very creative in your approach…ugh on the abuse….i could see this almost like two side by side videos…the hiding of abuse, ack…great close line as well….nicely done..

  5. I’m a gonna have ter come back to this. All I’m sure of just now is that I like it – a lot – but I don’t know why. And that worries me – a lot! Well done. It’s something poetry should do.

  6. Thought provoking, disturbing, and oddly liberating. I enjoyed the read, re-read and comments. I think these varying perceptions are fascinating. Exquisitely realized!

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