You who have spun flesh, peddled it and not known what to do with it
and ye who have labored with the weight of the monkey on your back
and been driven to following donkeys, what would you have me do
but wear the golden garment that did not match my eyes and hunger
for the blue that did? The long, full skirted blue with scooped neck and
a silver, dangling pendant to dance between my breasts as I danced.
Would you have me lie and say the blue is worthless and get it for a song?
nay I was truthful and paid for it and you cast it aside with words because
its beauty rivaled your likes and I returned it and gave it back with a loss
and said no I will not dance in such, I will dance in rags if I must and the
merchants and even relatives were angered at my stubbornness but you, fool
who spun silver from threads of gold knew who had won and you laughed.
Lo, the woman of abundance thought to buy the box covered with jewels
and send to her son in the desert and I said nay, it will be heavy for him to
carry. Save it, fill it with surprises and when he has returned from the great
weariness of his walks, let him rest and then, let him feast his eyes upon the
lovely things you share to show your love and she agreed it was good .She
bought the crushed velvet dress I had longed for. It had felt so right on me.
Later, there was a call from her and a begging for forgiveness and I was
nonchalant because I was hurt, but proud and I said yea, I am fine, all is fine.
And you spun fine strands from honey that day and thought wicked thoughts and I floundered and knew not where to go for safety..
Sylvia Sammons Spivey
copyright 4-13--2006

and ye who have labored with the weight of the monkey on your back
and been driven to following donkeys, what would you have me do
but wear the golden garment that did not match my eyes and hunger
for the blue that did? The long, full skirted blue with scooped neck and
a silver, dangling pendant to dance between my breasts as I danced.
Would you have me lie and say the blue is worthless and get it for a song?
nay I was truthful and paid for it and you cast it aside with words because
its beauty rivaled your likes and I returned it and gave it back with a loss
and said no I will not dance in such, I will dance in rags if I must and the
merchants and even relatives were angered at my stubbornness but you, fool
who spun silver from threads of gold knew who had won and you laughed.
Lo, the woman of abundance thought to buy the box covered with jewels
and send to her son in the desert and I said nay, it will be heavy for him to
carry. Save it, fill it with surprises and when he has returned from the great
weariness of his walks, let him rest and then, let him feast his eyes upon the
lovely things you share to show your love and she agreed it was good .She
bought the crushed velvet dress I had longed for. It had felt so right on me.
Later, there was a call from her and a begging for forgiveness and I was
nonchalant because I was hurt, but proud and I said yea, I am fine, all is fine.
And you spun fine strands from honey that day and thought wicked thoughts and I floundered and knew not where to go for safety..
Sylvia Sammons Spivey
copyright 4-13--2006

