A skeleton from the closet
Phoned the other day
One we thought had been
Securely locked away.
We tried to entice it
Cajole it back in
But that skeleton was
Determined to be seen.
For it had grown flesh
Learned how to live
And clearly would rattle
All the relatives.
This poem was written twenty years ago when first contact was made. It was more a ghost from the past than a skeleton but gradually over further calls it acquired structure and then one magic day it acquired corporeality. I was not there — my partner and I had split up — but I heard about it through others, including my children. Then just last week over New Year we met. This wonderful, warm person is now a part of my life. Thanks to the Marriage Equality Act She is getting married soon to her partner of eighteen years. She thanked me for keeping the lines of communication open and hope alive.
ps that third line in the second stanza still is not right
*have you ever had a skeleton from the closet visit you?
John Malone 
It’s a fun poem with a lovely story behind it. In the story, you sound very affectionate toward the “skeleton” but from just the poem, I wasn’t sure of the relationship. Wondering if that was deliberate or if it’s also related to when the poem was written?
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very observant, Worms: the poem was written some twenty years ago when the phone calls first began; then a few years ago, the ‘skeleton’ presented herself — the Open Marriage Act helped a lot — and we all caught up like we should have back then —
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Ah.. so it’s the time difference. 😊
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indeed, Worms; even though it was written twenty years ago i still haven’t got the third line in the second stanza to scan properly 😦 any suggestions?
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Hmmm. That river poem I wrote recently – the form demanded 8 syllables in every line. I have never been great at rhythm but counting syllables did the trick. I think that river poem is the best rhyming poem I have ever written. So maybe do some syllable counting. Skeleton is a tricky word because it’s 3 syllables but we tend to say them very quickly and with little emphasis. I just did some counting and your first stanza is totally different to your second stanza. So… I am not sure it will be easy but you can either set some rules or just keep rewording those last two lines until they sound right.
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thanks Worms; I will have a good hard look again and check out your River poem again: that may provide some pointers 🙂
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For example, by matching the syllable counts with the first stanza, this is what I have come up with
We tried to entice and allure, to
Cajole it back in
But that skeleton
Was stubborn to extreme
Obviously you might not like that. But I think it does scan better
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I think “determined to be seen” is nicer than just saying stubborn
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I think you’re very close, Worms and have inspired this:
We tried to entice, allure
cajole it back in
but that skeleton was
determined to be seen —
btw have reread ‘River’: it must be one of your finest poems 🙂
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Yes! By Jove, I think you have it!! 😊. Thanks for your kind words on “the river!!”
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72 comments !! Wow: it’s brilliance was recognized: may the Muse long be with you:)
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😂😂 thanks. Except I don’t believe in muses. I have become a fan of syllable counting though. It’s like the maths of poetry. I was never very good at maths but my head did find it kind of refreshing after all my essays at school. Syllable counting is a bit the same.
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thanks; I like that : ‘the maths of poetry’: that’s something to keep in mind —
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Reading the above comments is like listening to a chat between old friends! I enjoyed the poem and the comments equally. I am working on the confessor poem John, but it’s not a comfortable write, or read! 😊
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thanks Hobbo: I can talk very easily to Worms: I feel we are on the same wavelength regarding writing; I wouldn’t worry about the confessor poem: if it doesn’t work out , put aside; as you say, you are not comfortable with it, let it go; you gave it a try 🙂
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I meant uncomfortable in a soul searching kind of a way John, but I’ll stick with it because sometimes I have to get serious! 🙂
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I’m glad your Skeleton became flesh and bones and a part of your life, instead of rattling around in a closet somewhere
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Lol; thanks Beth; our lives have been enriched by Karen’s presence 🙂
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Hi. It’s always good when people reconnect and see each other’s positives. It’s not something that happens every day.
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it certainly isn’t, Neil, and the frightening thing is it almost never happened —
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You always use the perfect metaphors to bring home your poems. Well done.
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Hi John,
A touching poem and the back story is even more so. I love how you marry the past with the present.
eden
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thanks Eden: I felt it important to include the back story —
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The past, hovering over our shoulder like a ghost, burnt to a reddish color, comes back to haunt us when we least expect. People know keeping your nose clean and not being an outsider is important, but they keep doing foolish things, including politicians and their scandals. The truth is dragged out of us reluctantly, and is brought into fresh air to be aired for all to see.
— Catxman
http://www.catxman.wordpress.com
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so true: we are flawed individuals and we are floored when those flaws are exposed —
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I love your lines and the backstory.
It does seem to be an issue with many people. The more you know, the meatier it grows. Such a unique theme, John. 🙂
I have no skeletons, I hardly know anyone, if any will arise they’ll surely be bored to death.
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