Last time on the Folklore Chronicles, a poetry journey inspired by Taylor Swift’s album of the same title, I featured a piece for “exile.” Today, I’ll review my piece for the song “my tears ricochet.”
Here She Lies
It’s gray and raining as they carry my casket down the front
church steps. Because of course. So cliche. I can hear the scrapes
of their shoes against the wet concrete, muffled by the upholstery
I lay in. I sigh. Well, I imagine myself sighing. I’m dead.
My lungs no longer inhale, exhale.A few whispers surround me, but the staccato suspiras stand out
loud and clear. Mami, no doubt. There’s a ghost of regret in my ribs
for her. She didn’t deserve this. I didn’t deserve this.I’m jostled against the oak panels as they lower my coffin
to the ground. And then I hear him. Seriously, this tool?
He’s the reason I’m about to live permanently six feet under.
Cry me a river, mi amor.I try to sigh again, growing weary, losing grace.
God, he can drone on.
I’d be picking my nails right about now if I had use
of my motor skills. Go on and act like it wasn’t you
who killed me. Don’t worry, babe. I’ll be back for you.
I’m going to haunt you beyond your dying day.
Immediately, when I first listened to this song, I imagined it coming from the perspective of the woman whose funeral is in procession. I couldn’t help but think about the music video for My Chemical Romance’s “Helena.” The idea of a story told from the deceased’s point of view always intrigues me.
For how serious the song and idea of a dead person reciting poetry are, I wanted to add levity by making the persona’s voice sarcastic. She doesn’t accept her death, but she doesn’t lament it either. I suppose I had a bit of a Wednesday Addams character in mind when I wrote the poem from her perspective. Mixed with a bit of Jessica Jones, and honestly, I wouldn’t mind a full-blown story or novel about this character.
But the second stanza softens her caustic voice, showing compassion for those left behind. It felt important to acknowledge the grief brought on by the death of a loved one, even when coming from the perspective of the spirit haunting the scene.
The last two stanzas show her anger at the one who put her where she is now. In such a short space, I wanted to convey the idea of the stages of grief from the dead person.
Thanks for following along! Leave comments and let me know what you think.