It’s 7:30 and I’ve been working on revisions. Sometimes my mind veers into an abyss of despair. Friends disappoint, family worries, my face in the mirror, my inability to reverse the past or reinvent the future leads me to feeling overwhelmed and confused. Why? Why? Why? It’s your fault, if only, but what if, not going to happen…..

Head Trip

I’m having a conversation with myself,
it’s not going well—

let’s take a drive
fly off River Road

be Thelma and Louise
feel the thrill

of mid-air flight
until gravity reconnects—

plummet, like a roller coaster ride’s
glorious roar, feel the heat

come-on
grab the car keys

My multilingual haiku:

Uvas de la abuela
congeladas en la vid
aplastadas

English translation:

grandma's grapes
frozen on the vine
crushed
Barb Edler Avatar

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11 responses to “Troubling Conversation”

  1. Glenda Funk Avatar

    Barb,

    You are not alone in these conversations w/ yourself. At least your self-talk produces a gorgeous poem. The allusion to Thelma and Louise is perfect. Just don’t act on it! I hope I’m not a friend who disappoints. I do know I often feel disappointed in people. These days it’s hard not to.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Barb Edler Avatar

      You’re not a friend who disappoints! Thanks for responding.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Denise Krebs Avatar
    Denise Krebs

    Barb, wow. “Head Trip” is a great title for your poem. I like that the trip is in your head and not really off River Road, Thelma and Louise style. And your Spanish haiku is stunning. It gives me all kinds of feelings about not just frozen grapes, but about Grandma memories too. I have forgotten all about the Multilingual Friday’s this year (except the first Friday in March). I guess the slices of the day are keeping my mind too occupied. I’ve also neglected Poetry Friday this March too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Barb Edler Avatar

      I always forget to check out the poetry Friday

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Fran McCrackin Avatar

    Oh my gosh. I am sure there are disappointments and trouble that led to this night of self-talk and writing revision. But I have to say- look at your powerful, unsparing imagery. And be proud of yourself as a writer.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. arjeha Avatar

    As others have said, many of us have this kind of conversation in our heads. Sometimes the only one we can rely on is ourselves. That is where we find our true strength.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. kimhaynesjohnson Avatar

    I’m glad to have a friend who has these head trips too! It’s too bad we don’t live closer so we could rent a convertible and speed off with the top down and turn the radio all the way up.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Fran Haley Avatar

    Barb…I hear my own thoughts echoed in your lines. Truly. I an aware that my expectations of others – and myself – are just too high. The disappointment is real and caring so much is…just pain tiring. That’s when Despair pulls up a chair, with its ponderous cloak billowing about, to settle over us until we can’t even see…but never mind my imagery: Your poems are stunning! That’s the voice of Despair there in your head trip, telling you to go ahead, grab the keys. And oh my Lord, your haiku..a masterpiece. A real work of art. An image that will never leave me now. So many layers in so few words, and an emotional pow. I love it and thank you for it.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. natashadomina Avatar

    That is a powerful poem! It’s been a long time since I’ve watched Thelma and Louise, but my memory of that ending is that it was about Thelma and Louise wanting to stay true to themselves and not capitulate to external demands that disempowered them. I hope you can remind the voice in your head that you refuse to feel disempowered or less than in any way.

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