Elan Mudrow
Smidgens
Chainsaw (Portrait 12)
Open to the air are rings measuring my past. It was you who told me once, I have depth. (Yes, you did say that.) A culmination of sense growing under thickened hide, a comforter of bark, a cloak of wood.
And you must remember, when the snow hit hardest, that one time, my skin, my essence, lost its protection, but, only for an instant. I internalized the cold, and for once I thought I was just like everyone else.
Normal. Like I could feel.
That’s when my lips showed their reddest. As if I bit my tongue, but I have no real fangs, as you once wished, and in regaining my composure, I drooled like a fool for you, my saliva drying upon me, leaving streaks upon that depth you said I had. For, I believed you. That was my mistake. And you believed yourself. That was also my mistake.
You see,
I’m not elusive enough to avoid cracks, internal or external. Laughter and tears are methods to expel your illusions. At this time, I could only ask you to see, to take the time to count my rings, for my shadows are a part of the sun. You will find we have a kindred compassion. You breathe me. I breathe you.
Still…
Your hand firm upon the chainsaw.
17 Comments on “Chainsaw (Portrait 12)”
Join The Discussion
Recent Comments
 | Sharon's Writers Tid… on Mountain Rain |
| Railing | Mary Clark… on Railing | |
 | vishnupria on Plazmic |
 | Walk, Love, Sparkle on Crows |
 | Elan Mudrow on Plazmic |
Elan Mudrow 
Oh wow, I love this, what a fabulous synthesis of powerful words and image. Poetic genius!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the photo, Elan. The proem ain’t bad either. It’s hard to believe you’re as young as you say.
You’ve avoided the adolescent puerility and gone straight for the mature and always-pumping heart.
LikeLike
Amazing picture of the log melting at the thought of the chainsaw.
LikeLike
Very impressive! I just discovered your work on a return visit (and thanks for liking mine, BTW), but you can count on me being back. I, like Ralph, love that little grabber at the end.
LikeLike
Very beautiful.
-Knurly
LikeLike
I felt the same!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that’s in there. But it’s also a means of protection, sap that is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Almost as if the tree were crying tears of sap.
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘For my shadows are part of the sun,’ — haunting words.
Extraordinaire!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Deep words
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sent chills down my spine…I wanted to keep reading it. Breathtaking.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Marvelous portrayal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous! 😎🥀😎🥀😎🥀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mmm…Wonder how it got that way?
LikeLike
sap runith over?
LikeLike
Love the little “grabber” at the end you so often do. The photo is excellent. Strangely unsettling .
LikeLiked by 1 person