Random Acts of Poetry

Refusal

He saw her from the bottom of the stairs
Before she saw him. She was starting down,
Looking back over her shoulder at some fear.
She took a doubtful step and then undid it
To raise herself and look again. He spoke
Advancing toward her: ‘What is it you see
From up there always—for I want to know.’

She turned and sank upon her skirts at that,
And her face changed from terrified to dull.
He said to gain time: ‘What is it you see,’
Mounting until she cowered under him.
‘I will find out now—you must tell me, dear.’
She, in her place, refused him any help
With the least stiffening of her neck and silence.
She let him look, sure that he wouldn’t see,
Blind creature; and awhile he didn’t see.
But at last he murmured, ‘Oh,’ and again, ‘Oh.





He from the bottom
she starting down
Looking back at fear
doubtful advancing
she sank, changed
dull to time, you see
she cowered in place
stiffening her silence.



Written for "The Daily Poem" 

PROMPT:

Redaction Poetry

Using either of the prompts below, create a redacted poem.

Robert Frost Home Burial