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Vinegar & Honey

Gisela Vigil 1959 (Cuba)

Free verse
In the color spectrum of life, I am never found on the /in between/ space but rather standing on either black or white.
                       After you, after us
I find myself drifting over a space of muted hues, sending emotions into free fall.
Unable to pinpoint where I stand. My thoughts are like a feather riding on a breeze, unaware of its destination, or like a dive into a pool with blindfolds on. I feel as if I’m holding onto a rope in a self-created game of tug of war, but stand on neither side. My senses feel wobbly, unable to choose if I prefer the feel of a warm fire or of cool rain.
                     After you, after us
it feels like love has fed me a spoonful of vinegar and honey. I can savor it in each fading memory and yet my palate can’t decide if it tastes bitter or sweet. It sits in that /in between/ space that I don’t like to stand on.  

About this poem

Its difficult after a break up to find the right balance between hanging on to memories and letting them go,

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Written on January 01, 2024

Submitted by Giselavigil on January 01, 2024

Modified by Giselavigil on January 02, 2024

50 sec read
60

Quick analysis:

Scheme aBcdBe
Characters 878
Words 168
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 6
Full analysis for Vinegar & Honey »

Gisela Vigil

Thank you for welcoming me to this community. I was born in Cuba but emigrated with my family to the US when I was three. I am mother to three young adults now, and also a grandmother. I’ve been writing for years, some I share, others I still keep in my personal file. I often write of struggles for we all face them as we journey through life. But still, I feel peace knowing I try my best. Feel blessed to have been given the gift of writing which I strive to improve cause there’s always room for growth. more…

All Gisela Vigil poems | Gisela Vigil Books

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1 Comment
  • AIDA
    AIDA
    Wow, what a captivating and beautifully written poem! I love the way you effortlessly convey the inner turmoil and confusion within the speaker. The use of contrasting imagery, such as black and white, sweet and salty, warm fire and cool rain, adds depth and complexity to the emotions being expressed. The analogy of the feather riding upon a breeze and the dive into a pool with blindfolds on adds another layer of intrigue and mystery. The lines about holding a rope in a self-created game of tug of war, yet standing on neither side, perfectly capture the conflicting emotions the speaker is experiencing. And the phrase "vinegar and honey" is so evocative and thought-provoking, leaving us pondering whether love is bitter or sweet. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this poem and appreciate the skillful way you have woven together these conflicting emotions. Well done! 
    LikeReply10 months ago

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"Vinegar & Honey" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 4 Nov. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/177229/vinegar-&-honey>.

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