Member since:
August 30, 2006

Maria

June 20, 2007 05:59 AM EDT

views: 113 | comments: 37

Pardon my absence but I just got out of yet another psych ward. Due to lack of space I was forced to spend two days in the geriatric ward. That's where I met this young girl.....

Soot stained feet

Trudged through liquid asphalt

Quicksand city streets

Swallowed her urban soul

Sunken eyes; swollen stomach

Maria hears the barrio beat

Voices pulse in sync with the heart of her unborn child

Beyond these antiseptic walls

She painted her gritty nails with blood

The crimson mark of a gangster

Pebbles turned to rock

Rock cracked the confining walls

Acrid air seeped into her pregnant belly

Now she carries memory’s distorted visions

Naked but for diapers, Maria prepares to pamper her newborn…..

Tags: pregnancy, youth, drug addiction, psychosis

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Comments: 37

Apryl Just Apryl Jun 20, 2007, 6:07am EDT

I'm happy to see you back. very vivid portrayal of Maria. This is a fantastic poem , it tells a story with such intense imagery.

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Magi the magical poet is riding the wind again Jun 20, 2007, 6:12am EDT

Amanda, welcome back, my friend. This poem is stark and very powerful.

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Lawrence U. Jun 20, 2007, 6:22am EDT

A powerful profile of Maria - a beautiful imagery from the heart of a gifted poet. Thank you, Amanda!

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Richard Melendez Jun 20, 2007, 7:04am EDT

Amanda... you turn your talents to paint a very gritty and raw image. Very powerful with your trademark closing line. With that closing line, one has wonder about the alternative meaning of "pamper" and one has to sympathetically ask, "Can she really?"

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amarpreet k. Jun 20, 2007, 7:05am EDT

nice poem Amanda ....you almost painted the picture in front of readers eyes ..

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amanda wallin Jun 20, 2007, 7:14am EDT

Thank you all for the warm welcome and no Richard, she's delusional so the child is doomed if left in her care. Let's all pray for the best.

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Kathryn E. Jun 20, 2007, 7:24am EDT

wow, Amanda, this is you at your best.

Welcome back, Amanda.

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Edward Nudelman Jun 20, 2007, 7:36am EDT

Amanda, so good to see you back here, dear. This is a striking and almost clinical descriptive poem that really hits home as you vividly paint the picture of Maria. I can see your compassion and empathy not only in the poem, but in the relationship that my mind's eye see you two having as mutual caregivers.

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elizabeth e. Jun 20, 2007, 7:45am EDT

oh my goodness, so raw and yet so real...I felt I was there with you feeling for this young girl...and then of course there's the baby soon to be born...tragedy at its worst.

Welcome back, amanda...remember three feet forward, one step back...you'll get there...I just know you will! Hugs!

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Spencer T. Jun 20, 2007, 7:55am EDT

Block buster like striking the soul. Good to see ya, Amanda.

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Faith H. Jun 20, 2007, 8:12am EDT

Amanda, you can rip poetry from the depths of a tragedy and make it shine. You are beautiful.

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Thom R. Jun 20, 2007, 8:20am EDT

Sorry to hear about the trip to the hospital and I hope all's stable now. A 10 for the gripping poem and it is a tragedy to oft repeated.

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William Dotani Jun 20, 2007, 8:25am EDT

A very disturbing image. Even more disturbing is its reality and the probability it will happen and again as the heartless politicians simply don't care. Devoid of compassion, why should anyone expect mercy?

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William Dotani Jun 20, 2007, 8:27am EDT

Amanda, you're too gifted for the inner pangs. May I suggest you read Ralp Waldo Emerson's essay on Beauty?

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amanda wallin Jun 20, 2007, 8:35am EDT

Thank you all so much...too much....
William, I've read it and will read it again but my synapses refuse to stay aligned regardless of what I do.
You've all paid me a tremendous compliment just by stopping by and reading my work but your words of encouragement have brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you again, Amanda

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Anne B. Grote Jun 20, 2007, 8:48am EDT

so happy you are here and giving a wonderful account about what life does to some and how we all better start really caring for one another!

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William Dotani Jun 20, 2007, 9:25am EDT

You have a star in heaven. Let you inner light shine to warm us all.

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David D. Gilbaugh Jun 20, 2007, 2:04pm EDT

Amanda
Thank you for this objective yet provocative description that raises the awareness with details fraught with emotion and empathy. I am happy for you that you are back and have missed your presence of your voice in both your comments and your work. Where would we be without your eyes to see and words to teach us what is real and at hand.

There is a vicious sort of truth in ""Naked but for diapers, Maria prepares to pamper her newborn….."
The cycles of life include the unfortunate rebirth of mental illness and abuse. Your vision and empathy, sweet Amanda, are to be commended. You have touched many with the love and vision you show here with "Maria."

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Cheryl W. Jun 20, 2007, 5:32pm EDT

Welcome back, Amanda. Your words here are haunting and real.....wonderful poem.

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Priscilla P. Jun 20, 2007, 6:50pm EDT

You are always not far away in my thoughts. The poem is dramatic and heart felt. Your insight into people is phenomenal!!!!!

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Joe H. Jun 20, 2007, 7:18pm EDT

Nobody could have told Maria's story any better. Thank-you for sharing with us this tragic tale.

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Elsie Duggan Jun 20, 2007, 8:05pm EDT

Welcome back Amanda, a sad story so beautifully told. I too fear for the child, both of them

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Warren Keating Jun 20, 2007, 9:07pm EDT

Poet of the very, very real. You have created such an ugly, sad, scary picture into such a beautiful work that transports us through your soul into that moment. I am so glad that you're back, muse.

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Beryl Singleton Bissell Jun 20, 2007, 9:15pm EDT

In the psyche ward you connected with a powerful story. I presume the rock you speak about here is crack? Acrid air seeping into Maria's pregnant belly? Poetry leaves so much to the imagination of the reader.

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chris w. Jun 21, 2007, 12:35am EDT

darkness from such beauty makes it even more starkly contrasted. It's hard to connect your image to the words next to it....Good to see you writibg again, may it offer some release for you on your path to inner peace that should be within your outer beauty. You are due some serenity of spirit.

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Jennifer F. Jun 21, 2007, 2:12am EDT

Amanda, you are simply amazing at the way you can use words to go straight to the heart - right into my emotions. I can just imagine this young lady enjoying her motherhood for a day or so before the infant is removed to another home. I wouldn't want to be a witness to how she reacts when the nurse takes the baby away.

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Ron (in complete sheeple overload) W. Jun 21, 2007, 5:22pm EDT

Shock power, the bare underbelly of the beast. You have a gift to take the worst, and lay it bare to be understood. I don't know, considering the implications, if I'd want it, myself, but you do it, and do it so well. Ten

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Wilma M. Jun 22, 2007, 3:59pm EDT

What a vivid, hearbreaking picture you paint of Maria and her unborn child. You have such an amazing talent, amanda. I look forward to seeing what you write next.

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Barbary Chaapel Jun 23, 2007, 12:43am EDT

"acrid air seeped into her pregnant belly...
now she carries memory's distorted visions"

These lines made me think abortion.

the name Maria leads the reader to think of the other Mary.

You once again make us think, Amanda. Good for you.
And good thoughts to you.

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Debbie H. Jun 23, 2007, 1:08am EDT

Amanda...so powerful and intense!!! You have minor setbacks dear!!! Your heart is strong and always guides you!!! If we were all perfect, we'd all be walking on water!!! Miss you!!!

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Serina Matteson Jun 25, 2007, 12:17am EDT

Amanda, your poetry rocks, woman. It is amazing what kind of material you can come up with while you are in the psych ward is it not? Been there, done that. Though my poetry sucks. Haha. I am so glad you are out and hope you are doing better my friend. Thanks for the warning about the ECT treatments. I have often wondered about having them myself as my meds are still not working the best in the world. But hell I am better than I was before I went into the hospital 4 weeks ago. Glad for you to be back and amazing us with your words.

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