House of Prude

WhatsApp Image 2023-03-01 at 12.50.50 PM

                              Victorian Bedroom by Dale Innis on Midjourney
Please click play to hear me recite House of Prude to Portuguese singer, Carminho

House of Prude

Black curtains were drawn at 1pm after lunch
The butlers and maids were excused…
No wall paper had ever seen children conceived
No lamps swung with the rhythm
of Madame getting her dues…
You would have found no love making to have to excuse
Inside the sterile and decaying House of Prude.

No catalogue underwear strewn on the bed
next to pictures of ankles swathed in red lace…
just sensible shoes removed near the royal purple divan
a book of Virginia Wolf, with reading glasses atop
setting the somber pace…
There was not even a fantasy floating through space
Inside the sterile and decaying House of Prude.

Burned were the chippie books, with dirty girl’s looks
Denied! Any photograph of a stolen touch or a snug
Without memory of being fed strawberry tarts with lips half apart
only the maid’s vacuuming once a week
sent sparks flying off the rug…
Around her buttoned shirt never a canoodle or hug
Inside the sterile and decaying House of Prude.

Karima Hoisan
March 1, 2023
Costa Rica

 

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30 Responses to House of Prude

  1. daleinnis says:

    What an unpleasant place! 🙂 A powerful portrait in verse.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. K. Hartless says:

    What a horrific place. I love the ambience you set with the music and your tone. Th “wallpaper line” was brilliant.

    Thank you friend, for your kind comment today. I was having trouble responding on Masticadores. I am so grateful for your kind words, and being connected to your site.

    Cheers!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you so much K.Who knows where these poems come from? but they are fun to pursue:) I did enjoy your poem on MasticadoresUSA very much…
      Flamenco beings out a very special passion indeed. My pleasure and I enjoy reading you too:)

      Like

  3. Very clever and unlike pretty much everything I’ve had the pleasure of reading lately 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Smiles big… Thank you..who knows where these ideas come from? Maybe watching too many period- piece movies:) In any case, I take your comment as a great compliment…Nice to be a different flavor now and then:) Loved your comment ❤️David❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  4. KK says:

    So well portrayed, Karima! I love the way you conceived the idea and then went on detailing finer elements that only you can do. A marvellous piece, indeed 😊❤️🙏

    Liked by 1 person

  5. michnavs says:

    So well crafted.. and listening to you reading it gave me goosebumps.👏👏👏

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Grace says:

    Oh wow Karima! This is a totally new perspective from you! It’s always a treat to see where Dale’s images take you, and this one is especially powerful. You have a gift of making your words so deeply alive they leap off the screen! Well done as always, my dear friend 🤍🤗

    Liked by 1 person

    • It is a “new perspective” but as I said in a comment, I might have been watching too many period pieces and had my head stuck in that strange repressive time. In any case I was just riffing off that somber bedroom Dale sent to me. I think I even surprised myself and learned lots of words that were considered naughty…like Canoodle and chippie. The torch singer, Carminho seemed so passionately out of place.. but I enjoy that juxtaposition in this poem. 🙂 Thank you my dear Grace for always looking deep into my words. 🌹

      Liked by 1 person

  7. calmkate says:

    sounds awfully Victorian, what a sad waste of life, and a comfy home!

    You crafted a vivid picture with your words to Dale’s olde world room 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Layla Todd says:

    Wow, I love the way the imagery bounds off the page and has a tangible feel that immerses me in reading. The title is perfect too. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Yes! Love the amusing, kinda cheeky tone of this one. Great reading/music. And glad you brought up Virginia Woolf; she’s pretty great. My favorite line: “There was not even a fantasy floating through space”. That’s excellent. And what a good title! Unexpected piece. Good work!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Wow thank you for these words…but you are right, in the case of my muse, my relationship with her, she always leads and I always follow..Over the years I have learned to trust that process..The muse knows what will work…even if we have our doubts..it only works if we trust her/my process:) I always enjoy how your comments open up to such great discussion:) The vry best to you too Ben 🦋

    Like

  11. Jeff Flesch says:

    It is interesting to contemplate the nature of sensation, and of touch. Growing up in a household where touch was minimal, this piece reminds me of the amazing experience of touching those we love. A deep and powerful experience. Happy weekend, Karima! 🙏🌹❤️🤗

    Liked by 1 person

  12. johncoyote says:

    I loved the music and I adored the verbal poetry. Thank you dear Karima for sharing. I need to hear some beautiful words today.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Navin says:

    I’m looking at the creativity of this piece…the powerful words…the imagination so immersive…the voice so beautiful & expressive…you’ve added layers to this amazing digital art – the Victorian Bedroom by Dale…the hologram effect…as in when I was listening to this piece while looking at the image, it seemed 3 dimensional…beautifully written n recited, Karima ✨

    Like

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