Quicksand dries,
mud to dirt to dust,
lost desert in disguise.
At local bar, little bird’s panicked slurp,
suction-cupped high-heeled steps,
careless where predators lurk.
A sinking myth,
man’s ever-shifting sand.
The female form
floats supine on its surface,
but never takes a stand.
Lisa is the host for d’Verse’s Quadrille #133 asking us to take a stand. Join us.
Artwork: “Quicksand” by Ric Conn
Love the imagery and how vivid this piece is. Wow!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Lucy. Floating is sometimes the best way of getting free.
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh wow! that ending image is so vivid that i can almost see it. well done, K!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. The struggle is sometimes the fall. Feels good to float yourself free.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Damn it, take a stand, female shapes! This makes me feel so frustrated, KH!
❤
David
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, but those that chose not to take bold moves are often misunderstood. Trying to stand in quicksand is a mistake; there is more than one way to free yourself. Eek, this late-night write has more layers than I even originally intended.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Cracking quadrille, love it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Hobbo. Flaking fast here. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah the failure of the masculine in our culture is such a crime. And yet you still manage to create. I too saw the mud in this prompt (and there we catch a glimpse of my deep longing)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating! I didn’t realize where it was going til the last line. So brilliant!! Amazing imagery!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Worms. Just between you and I, I wasn’t sure where this one was heading either. Glad the piece didn’t get stuck in the mud. It was great fun to rejoin Monday night shenanigans. Enjoyed the variety in the pieces.
LikeLike
Time to take a stand! Fascinating write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Sometimes refusing to stand is also taking a stand. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol you are right!😄
You are welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really amazing imagery here. I hope we don’t have to wait for quicksand to dry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you kindly, Phillip. Your comment made me smile. Yes, it does feel like we’re doing just this at times. When in a sticky situation, I’m not opposed to exploring all of the alternative solutions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The image you chose really grabs attention. You’ve laid out the dynamics so deftly, the quicksand that becomes toxic waste, the hopefully fading myth that somehow it is ever the woman’s fault for being raped, and the saving maneuver. Excellent poeming, K.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lisa. A great prompt and I enjoyed reading all of the wonderful responses just as much as penning my own. I was glad to have time to join in the fun this week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome, and I hope the time makes itself available for dVerse all of the time 🙂
LikeLike
Fascinating–so many layers to this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The exquisite art and your strongly presented Quadrille ….. thoroughly enjoyed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate your kindness, Helen. It was great to read so many thought-provoking pieces this morning. Lots of striking responses. I’ve missed the d’Versians.
LikeLike
Don’t wait for others to take a stand for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Bev. Wouldn’t dream of it.
LikeLike
Wow. You have such a good ear. This feels fantastic to read aloud.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Very kind. I enjoy weaving words.
LikeLike
This was uncomfortable reading but none the less powerful for that! I think it’s time we took a stand.
LikeLiked by 1 person
creepy; some alluring images compressed in a few slinky stanzas —
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, this one was written without censor. And so it goes…
LikeLiked by 1 person