26 Comments
User's avatar
James's avatar

This was beautiful, through all the hurt, just beautiful. You made something ugly into art. Forgive me if I'm off.

Jacqueline's avatar

Thank you so much. That is exactly what I was hoping would come through. Appreciate you reading and taking time to comment. 🖤

Dante's avatar

Astonishingly, achingly beautiful. And difficult too... because a metaphor can be expressed this perfectly only when it comes from personal experience.. so my heart breaks for you, and for every reader who sees this as clearly as you have written it.

Jacqueline's avatar

Thank you so much, Dante. Metaphors can be powerful ways to express difficult things. I appreciate you sitting with me through it. You are so kind.

Dante's avatar

You wrap the truth in stunning apparel.

James (HVR)'s avatar

A joy to read from start to end. I had it going to a Lady Gaga like beat in my mind...

Jacqueline's avatar

I love that! Thank you so much. Appreciate you.

Sanai Reign's avatar

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

“I see your leaves blackening at the edges now

Hear the dry sickness settling at your root

That blight belongs to you, friend” oof the “dirt remembers.” Thank you, this is so gorgeous🤌🏾

Jacqueline's avatar

Thank you for reading, Sanai. I’m so happy you are here. :)

Sanai Reign's avatar

A wonderful place to be 🤟🏾

Antonio Castellaneta's avatar

“Writing became the place where events stopped moving around.”

This feels like that same kind of knowing, but rooted in the body instead of memory. The slow violence of growing around something that keeps tightening, until even the crookedness starts feeling natural.

“some things grow so used to the chokehold

they mistake it for an embrace”

That line stays.

Not because it explains pain, but because it recognizes how quietly it reshapes the living.

Jacqueline's avatar

Thank you so much, Antonio. I always look forward to your thoughtful comments. They always distill the finer points perfectly and with such care. I appreciate you being here.

Raven Noble's avatar

Sickening. Nice

Jacqueline's avatar

Thank you, cousin! :)

Eugenia P. Frankenberg 🥀's avatar

this was beautiful, exquisite, and sorrowful in a way. i love the imagery of the bending and crooking of the branches, trying to fit around the force of the connection.

Jacqueline's avatar

Thank you so much, Eugenia. I am happy it resonated with you. 🖤

Sasha Brown-Worsham's avatar

Powerful. Really beautiful.

Jacqueline's avatar

Thank you so much, Sasha. I appreciate you reading.

Aaliya's avatar

That ending is so powerful ♥️

Jacqueline's avatar

Thank you so much Aaliya. 🍒💖

Gary L Taylor's avatar

Incredible piece. I loved the imagery it conjured.

Jacqueline's avatar

Thank you so much, Gary. I appreciate you reading and sharing.

Nimila's avatar

A slow death resembling a heartfelt embrace coiled in itself. Wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

Jacqueline's avatar

Thank you for the continuous inspiration to share, my friend. 🌷

Olly von's avatar

So many lines throughout this i loved pushing up from gum’s, the twisted spine imagery little ghosts of cherries what a unique line of thinking for the prompt really loved this

Jacqueline's avatar

Thank you so much, Olly. That means a lot to me. Appreciate you!