–noun
1. a slender, typically rod-shaped rigid piece of metal, usually in any of numerous standard lengths from a fraction of an inch to several inches and having one end pointed and the other enlarged and flattened, for hammering into or through wood, other building materials, etc., as used in building, in fastening, or in holding separate pieces together.
2. a thin, horny plate, consisting of modified epidermis, growing on the upper side of the end of a finger or toe.
3. a former measure of length for cloth, equal to 21/4 in. (6.4 cm).
–verb (used with object)
4. to fasten with a nail or nails.
5. to enclose or confine (something) by nailing (often fol. by up).
6. to make fast or keep firmly in one place or position.
7. to accomplish perfectly.
8. Informal.
a. to secure by prompt action; catch or seize.
b. to catch (a person) in some difficulty, lie, etc.
c. to detect and expose (a lie, scandal, etc.).
9. Slang. to hit (a person).
10. to focus intently on an object or subject.
11. Obsolete. to stud with or as if with nails.
I
Tried
To save
Drifting love
Nailing evidence
On every wall for anchorage
Stopping very short of adding
My beating heart as exhibit.
Our love continued on its course
Downwards, downwards, still,
A slow death of lead poisoning.
All that cold metal
Draining heat
And life
From
It.
The background picture is copyright of Willow of Willow Manor, who has put it forth as a writing prompt.
Join the writing fun at Magpie Tales.
13 comments:
Enjoyed this one. I liked the 'downwards downwards still' line. I could feel it all sinking towards a bad end. Great use of the prompt.
Hi Nathalie, looking at a nail from two sides, very imaginative. Again, a brilliant shape to the poem echoes the sentiments.
Do you ever write longer pieces?
Peter, you can find links to all my published work (poems and fiction) in the side bar under "Shameless Promoting". I do tend to write short pieces, although I have been guilty of the odd novel too (mercifully unpublished).
I love the way you used the picture to spark a vivid and painful description of love slipping away.
My favourite line:
Stopping very short of adding
My beating heart as exhibit.
Excellent imagery and pacing! I, too, love the image of the beating heart nailed to the wall.
Totally nailed..You really covered this..lead poisoning..what an image!!
Nathalie, this gave me the shivers. I stepped on a nail when I was a child and had a bit of that lead poisoning going on. It was painful, and I had to be hospitalized for weeks.
Love your work!
a slow death to lead poisoning..wow..tight verse.
Ooo, dark and delicious.
I like the way you use words to build to the point where you show nothing further can be done and then the words slowly fade away.
Really powerful metaphor Nathalie!
Enjoyed, well done, very rich and powerful.
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