Writer's Island Soar

Written for the Writer's Island prompt 'Soar'

DESPAIR

(Poem for Jeanne Heburterne)

There was a certain wildness about her

That ignited their passion and he continued to burn

Through those empty Paris streets after the great war had ended

But there was still fighting. He painted as she panted

Giving birth to ideas, and dreams of flight – but now the bird has flown,

that soaring far above have come to nothing –

the baby’s wails echoing around the bare studio walls

Even as her belly swelled once again in despair

she listened to his persistent coughs

Bouncing against the bare bones of his frame

Her scarlet lips still forced into a bleak smile which became twisted

As his friends urged him away –

“Forget her, Modi… have another drink!”

So he can blow on the glass to know he’s still alive. As the winter deepens

around the two of them

Clinging desperately together as the walls became decorated, playing with the flames of their passion

The paint still wet on his final portrait

As he was taken away to die.

She followed him backwards over the balcony crushing her head along with all her hopes

Leaving behind a burning trail of memories that won’t so easily die.