A few years ago, I met Carol Drummond, a poet who lives in Florida. From our long conversations about the painting “The News”, came out this poignant poem she titled “The News of Impossibilities”. I could not explain that painting in better words…
“She knows she’ll hear them whisper Bijou when she walks-in.
Bijou
— dabs a scent of mystery behind her ears,
On her throat, between her breasts,
Behind her knees.
Each evening she slides into a jeweled grown,
enters the room, and is accustomed
to seeing women straighten their skirts.
Some smooth their hair into place.
Some take a step closer to their husbands
who stand taller.
She knows they will watch her as she walks away.
She knows many of the men want her
And many of the women want to be like her
with a bout of insecurity…
She knows she will not share
the news of impossibilities
delivered by the man in the white coat
with plaques hanging on his wall.
She will keep secret
the mirror mocking her
and the nightmares filled
with empty cradles
and that dreaded lullaby.
No one needs to know.
Her man does not need to know.
Even she does not need to know.
It may not be true, anyway.”
— Carol Drummond
Excellent rendition of the spirit captured in this original art depicted by Pascale!