Silver rings wound round
two fingers, tightness lingers,
after many bobs
up and down;
our marriage is
a merry-go-round.
Laughter out on the town, then
the yelling just gets louder,
and the caking,
make-up powder
dries too soon;
hope it masks
the exit wound.
This poem was written for d’Verse’s MondayQuadrille. Tonight, Lillian asks us to consider, What’s in a word? crafting a 44-word poem using the word wound for inspiration. Join us.
Artwork: “Merry-go-round II” by Fabrice Hünd
Yard Sale of Thoughts 
Love the imagery and I feel that the art you chose works perfectly. Great job!
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Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed the piece as well as the art.
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Wonderful image of a troubled marriage
It makes me think of a movie we just streamed, The Killing of Two Lovers.
I think that exit wound may be metaphorical or real.
I like the artwork, too.
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Thank you very much. I will be sure to check the movie out. Sounds like something that I’d enjoy. Appreciate your comments.
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You’re very welcome.
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Wow! So many layers to this. The illustration is perfect! Then the two rings….could be on the horses on the merry-go-round but also the couple’s wedding rings. The metaphor of the merry-go-round for a faltering marriage is an excellent one. Well done!
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Thank you very much Lillian. I enjoyed this double-meaning prompt, so thank you very much for hosting.
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Wow, KH.
Marriage is hard work… I understand this piece well.
❤
David
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Thank you, David. Much appreciated.
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The story of many relationships. Interesting that emotional scars also have exit wounds. Perhaps that is a good thing?!
A great poem.
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Thank you kindly, Dwight. The exit wound was my first thought for this prompt, but it is very true, emotional scars take more time to heal, I think.
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Some never heal!
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A wonderfully creative take on the challenge … cheers!!
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Thank you very much, Helen. Cheers!
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Wow! So powerful in so few lines. Great writing.
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Thank you, Tom. Very kind. Glad you enjoyed this brief ride.
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Loved the illustration, perfect partner to this excellent piece. Amazing!❤️
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Thank you, Grace. The artwork did happen to be just right. Glad you enjoyed it.
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My pleasure.💕❤️
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This goes to the heart of it – masking that exit wound. Marriage is a merry go round indeed.
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Exit wounds can be masked but almost never heal. Fine Quad, K.
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Thanks, Ron. Will keep powdering here.
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I like the circus atmosphere you created with the rings and the carousel, the strong man putting on a show, and tears of a clown. Maybe one will end up pulling up stakes…. Great atmospheric piece and good choice of image to go with it.
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Oh, brilliant, Lisa. Thank you for reading and deepening this concept. Fantastic ideas.
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My pleasure, Karen.
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Well written poem about the reality of relationships.
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Thank you very much.
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Ouch: this Merry-go-Round is dizzying to be on, and painful to get off. Such a skilful composition!
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Thank you, Ingrid. It’s a ride that attracts many but does often leave one wondering why they jumped on.
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wow! I feel this!
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Thanks, Ruth.
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Absolutely superb. Each sentence is strung with tension.
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Thank you kindly, Misky. This one was a bit of a chisel, but the images arrived quickly for me.
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It’s always quite satisfying when it comes together like that. Nicely done.
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This is a poem filled with contrasts, the contrasts between the lighthearted rhythm and the abuse and violence in the end… really good.
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Thank you, Björn. I think of a carousel as having that rhythm but then how it can be brutal, too.
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There are so many layers of meaning to this gorgeously woven poem! I could feel the “Laughter out on the town, then the yelling just gets louder,”.. sigh.. that’s when trouble begins.
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Thank you for reading this. Yes, the highs and lows don’t feel good after the first few time around. Appreciate your feedback.
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Everything is hard word. And sometimes even with that things fall apart. Well captured in your poem. Nice work.
Pat
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Applying one’s daily ritual to conceal an exit wound is… just powerfully evocative. I love the hidden strains of a long marriage, a merry-go-round of life. Good stuff, delicious.
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