Saturday, May 15, 2021

Athena's Rose

 


He winked his commands

along my body until he reached

the iron curve of my hips.

 

A cutting from Athena’s rose

I owned the yes of my blooming

and the thorny reach of my no.

 

He thought he’d dance me through

the devil’s garden only to find

he wasn’t given the power to lead.

 

 ©Susie Clevenger 2021

The Sunday Muse #160


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20 comments:

  1. HelenMay 15, 2021 at 1:30 PM

    Sigh ... iron curve of my hips and thorny reach of my no! Doesn't get any better. Cheers, Susie.

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  2. JadeLiMay 15, 2021 at 2:19 PM

    May as well set the tone! Great imagery, Susie.

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  3. kaykualaMay 15, 2021 at 5:13 PM

    I owned the yes of my blooming
    and the thorny reach of my no

    Let him assume he was succeeding in his attempts. That's a clever way of keeping your man! Clever take Susie!

    Hank

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  4. FireblossomMay 15, 2021 at 5:36 PM

    Right on! Interesting that we wrote about sisters--Persephone and Athena.

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  5. SunitaMay 15, 2021 at 11:37 PM

    This was a pure delight to read. The imagery and that last stanza, awesome!

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  6. C. SandlinMay 16, 2021 at 5:33 AM

    That last line! Just perfect.

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  7. hedgewitchMay 16, 2021 at 7:40 AM

    "I owned the yes of my blooming..." how often we forget that, and how often people try to steal it. Strong and powerful poem, Susie.

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  8. Magaly GuerreroMay 16, 2021 at 9:58 AM

    Sometimes, the beginning of the best stories start with a firm no.

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  9. HazelMay 16, 2021 at 11:01 AM

    Me to an FB friend: "I owned the reach of my blooming and the thorny reach of my no."
    FBF: Where does such brilliance come from?
    Me: (leads them to your digital space)

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  10. Carrie Van HornMay 16, 2021 at 11:37 AM

    Wowza this is utterly amazing Susie! I love the strength and freedom this holds! No is no and she knows it!!

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  11. Gillena CoxMay 16, 2021 at 12:14 PM

    OMG what a fabulous diva.

    Happy Sunday Susie. Thanks for dropping by my blog today

    Much💚love

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  12. qbitMay 16, 2021 at 1:36 PM

    Well penned! "I owned the yes of my blooming / and the thorny reach of my no." - excellent!

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  13. purplepeninportland.comMay 16, 2021 at 5:37 PM

    What a powerful ending on this, Susie!

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  14. colleenMay 16, 2021 at 5:48 PM

    Love the natural power in this. So true.

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  15. Rosemary Nissen-WadeMay 16, 2021 at 6:01 PM

    Hah! Good to own our own sensuality.

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  16. dsnake1May 16, 2021 at 8:18 PM

    he must learn to respect a woman. i bet he found Athena's rose pretty painful. :)

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  17. Audrey Howitt aka DivaloungerMay 17, 2021 at 8:25 AM

    Loved this Susie!

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  18. rudraprayagaMay 19, 2021 at 2:09 AM

    Interesting imagery.

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  19. Rajani RehanaMay 21, 2021 at 11:06 PM

    Please read my post

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  20. Jewish Young ProfessionalMay 30, 2021 at 6:12 PM

    There is something so awesome and empowering about this piece. Love!

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