Ana Erobic

the subtle coercion
asphyxiates just the same
the breathing room
with barely a hole in it
and a force
pulling like centrifuge
bone-dry ventricles
no CSF to fuel
my vertebrae refuse to arch
vasoconstricted, unoxygenated
inclined to squirm
my cell-mediated survival.

~ beautifulbruises©

the truth to a lie

don't look to me
for the truth
because it's ruthless
and I'm not strong enough
to be the person
who breaks it to you
I will never be the one
who could live it through
the numbing easiness in lies
from the cold glare in my eyes
look away
never thought I'd see the day
enclasped by a dark cloud
let it rain
let it wash away my guilt
lay my poor little weary head to slumber
thou hast never known tranquility
thou hast ceased to comfort me

~ beautifulbruises©2012

      ©RochelleVillaflor2012

Raggedy Ann

you wear him like you wear
your heart on your sleeve
he doesn't really fit right
a very tight collar
who chokes you to bulimia
stained pockets
and torn at the seam
you don him
like he's the coolest outfit
'distressed' fashion trend
that matches your smudged lipstick
smokey eyes highlights your gloom
he anchors his arm around you
as if he owns you
labeled you with his name
yes, you're right up
Tinseltown's block
gleaming glamour
Faux perfection!

~ beautifulbruises©2012, Rochelle Villaflor  ©️

Manila Hemp

you wear life
like a water buffalo in a carriage
face covered in mud and muck
from a long strenuous day at the azucarera
an old haciendero for a poor provinciana
que barbaridad!
may-december affair it is
but reality is crumbling like landslide
hits you with hunger pangs
and growing debts
farming gets you nowhere
crops have died as el niño hit
the Aquino's augmented the interest
thirty percent more
fourth grade in the barrio
won't get you a decent job
"if I cling to him, things will probably
get better."
high-end querida
ten thousand pesos a month
with seven mouths to feed
poverty stole your innocence
to trade your body
at an hourly rate
"if I do it more often,
maybe I'll get more.
then little Pedro can
go back to school
won't have to sell
sampaguita in the streets
no more."


~ beautifulbruises©2012, RochelleVillaflor©2012

memento mori

half past three
she appeared to me
like the ghost in my nightmare
forewarning the doom
abound the stillness
of a memory
that sleeps, but rests not.
disguised like an angel
with the purity of all intentions
must I dare to question
the bearer of the seed
or the womb that succumbed
to breed
conceived out of compromise
she coiled the cord around the baby's neck
mourned her early demise
but the child isn't gone
I said a little prayer
from her shallow grave
I set her free
I am her waking memory.

~ beautifulbruises©2012

polarities

bingeing cause me to be empty
the merriment of my intoxicated anger
purging fill me with such content
the joy of relief that moves me to tears.
my dark illumines just as much
as my spark obscures
'tis my sadness that brings me depth
'tis my happiness that gives me height.
~ beautifulbruises©

134

i'm never bitter
never clingy
i gave way to her
when I gave way to you
the worst of all my fears
was to get caught offguard
just when I had changed
all my plans
moved to the city
with barely a penny
to be with a boy
who seem to be so carefree
I guess it's one of them days
when even a soft breeze
would make me fall over
a stare would pierce
through my soul
illuminate my dark
stitch up my tattered pieces
purge me
numb me
reset me
by default
~ beautifulbruises©2011