Saturday 5 June 2010

Countenance

COUNTENANCE

–noun
1. appearance, especially the look or expression of the face
2. the face; visage.
3. calm facial expression; composure.
4. approval or favour; encouragement; moral support.
5. Obsolete . bearing; behaviour.
–verb (used with object)
6. to permit or tolerate
7. to approve, support, or encourage.






















Her countenance said it all
She’d seen angels
Again
Or
Ghosts
Or goodness knows it what this time
Her folks could not countenance such
Behaviour
Much
Longer
And had her locked in a room
Where she could see all her friends
Coming
Out
Walls
And hold her virtual tea parties
Without being an embarrassment.


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.

23 comments:

Berowne said...

Powerful, effective...

brenda w said...

I love the idea of virtual tea parties. Excellent work demonstrating the versatility of your vocab word! (That's the teacher in me.)

Love this.

Kathe W. said...

great capture of image and words.

Anonymous said...

well done indeed, I think I have been to one of her tea parties.....bkm

Aoife.Troxel said...

And I imagine she grew old there, and future inhabitants of the house heard tea being poured, soft slivers of steam floated in the air, and just above a whisper, they could hear courtesies being exchanged, such as one says at a tea party.

RA said...

Lovely, simply lovely! :)

Helen said...

Ohhhhh, very unique take on Willow's photo prompt! Loved it!

Unknown said...

creepy and gothic ..... I can imagine the moaning wind on the moors too

Tumblewords: said...

It is the world of virtual that keeps us from personally embarrassing the real world! Delightful...

Gray Lady said...

I like this, a lot. Great play on countenance and great take on the image.

Everyday Goddess said...

it is sad that some of the most other worldly focused people were locked away.

but i guess she is happier too.

Tess Kincaid said...

So Willow Manoresque!

Brian Miller said...

oh that was deliciously creepy yet comforting...nice magpie!

CHummelKornell said...

Love it, love it, love it!

CHummelKornell said...

Still thinking about your interpretation of the beautiful bust. Charles Gibson (Gibson's Girls) created an illustration of a beautiful young woman seated at her dressing table. Such a lovely creation. I saw the beauty and wished to own the rendering until a male friend walked up and gasped, "What on earth are you thinking? Don't you see the skull?" Looking closer I did indeed view the skull staring back. I didn't buy the drawing and have hated my decision ever since. Has anyone else ever seen this illustration? I would love to find it.

Vicki Lane said...

Wow! This was excellent!

rel said...

only those who can share the visions can countenance her countenance; too bad: for them, not her. Oblique interpretation and oh so cool!
rel

alexis nicole said...

I really loved this. The last line was a home run.

Suz said...

Oh so good!
she does look locked away doesn't she

Helena said...

Tinged with sadness this! I could feel her pain.....*whisper*...and you use the same online dictionary as me!

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

exciting magpie,
your writing rocks!

Linda said...

Nice magpie, and an curiously different take on this picture.

~T~ said...

Great story in a few words!