Hamina's Lost Head

[Delta40]

In the bland room
to the left of the library
Hamina is guided by sure hands.
She bumps into cream walls
half circle tables halted by
navy patterned carpet squares.
Hamina lists to the right
and behaves as if one leg is a whole
metre longer than her little finger.
She snorts and hoots at the circle
of old ladies buried in craft materials.
The carer steers her round with one hand
while she holds her toys in the other.
He-ll-o Ha-min-a
they say, as if greeting her this way
will help her understand their kindness.
Whee!
Whoop!
Hoo!
My, you're happy today arent' you?,
Odd shaped Hamina shuffles toward each lady,
smirking, contorting her face impossibly
while her neck struggles to move however it chooses.
Her naked barbie doll with only a brain stem left
is slammed against the table.
Good Lord! What happened to her head?
Oh, she lost it somewhere along the line, I think
Nor-tee Ham-in-a!
Bad Ham-in-a!
Hamina sniggers and bends the naked limbs
till they are as misshapen as she is.
She rubs the stem nub between
crooked fingers and
rocks back and forth in time,
then she squeals so everyone winces.
Someone mutters underneath their breath,
Knit two, purl one, drop a stitch.
Hamina whacks the headless tanned body
against the table once more.
Sit down Hamina and have some
of Jan's homemade pie
She plunges her fingers into
the sticky tart
and eats like a two year old.
Strawberry jam is smeared
across Barbie's molded breasts,
her curvaceous legs
then one carefully placed red blob
on the plastic brain stem.
Hamina reveals her decayed chalky teeth
and nods - almost knowingly.
She licks the node,
where the head used to be,
like a lollipop.

[PrinceMyshkin]

This is surely one of the most terrifying grotesqueries ever presented here! I was rivetted to it, almost against my will! It's brilliantly done. When everyone who wants to has had a chance to respond to it, I hope you'll consider posting something about the gestation of it.

Extraordinary details, extraordinary poem!

[Delta40]

Grotesqueries is a wonderful word!

[qimissung]

I agree with Prince! I love the title-and I love the way you've written the poem. I am fascinated as to what it's actually about. And please don't laugh-is Hamina a human being? I could see it going either way, actually.

[everyadventure]

I'm assuming Hamina is a mentally challenged adult. I swear, Delta, the things that pop out of your head are so unexpected! I never know what I'm going to find when I click on one of your threads!

A very vivid poem!

[Delta40]

Yes she is human and yes she is mentally challenged!

[everyadventure]

I love it when you attach links to your poems... a little peek into what inspires these creations!

[Hawkman]

This is exquisitely descriptive, Delta. A brilliant read. I just loved:

"Her naked barbie doll with only a brain stem left
is slammed against the table."

But no less than I appreciated this poem in its entirity. Outstanding mixture of realism and compassion, I feel.

Live long and prosper - H

[Delta40]

Thanks. Headless barbies give me the heebeejeebies. I observed an interesting interaction between a mentally disabled woman and her headless barbie and was struck by the odd correlation between the two.

[Jerrybaldy]

Wonderful read Delta. It reminded me of your plays. The image of the doll is strong, it appeared in my thoughts randomly as I was driving the motorway earlier and that is a sure sign.

[Delta40]

Thanks Jerry. Prince paid me a great compliment by posting it in the favourite poems thread!

[firefangled]

This is so original in execution. Thematically it reminds me of a cross between Charles Simic and Bukowski. Your observance of the world is so far ranging, Delta, awesome and inspiring, as with this poem.

This is so original in execution. Thematically it reminds me of a cross between Charles Simic and Bukowski. Your observance of the world is so far ranging, Delta, awesome and inspiring, as with this poem.

I keep coming back to this because, like Simic, you portray a world that waits for the poet to show the context of things that otherwise might escape our senses, either because we look away out of fear, embarrasement or lack of comprehension.

This is the true calling of the poet. language is one thing in poetry, but for me it is secondary to what it makes us see. In this poem you show that nothing is merely unfortunate, simply sad, only grotesque, or strangely comical. In this poem it is all of these. And as much about the ladies of the knittting circle.

[Delta40]

This is so original in execution. Thematically it reminds me of a cross between Charles Simic and Bukowski. Your observance of the world is so far ranging, Delta, awesome and inspiring, as with this poem.

This is so original in execution. Thematically it reminds me of a cross between Charles Simic and Bukowski. Your observance of the world is so far ranging, Delta, awesome and inspiring, as with this poem.

I keep coming back to this because, like Simic, you portray a world that waits for the poet to show the context of things that otherwise might escape our senses, either because we look away out of fear, embarrasement or lack of comprehension.

This is the true calling of the poet. language is one thing in poetry, but for me it is secondary to what it makes us see. In this poem you show that nothing is merely infortunate, simply sad, only grotesque, or strangely comical. In this poem it is all of these. And as much about the ladies of the knittting circle.

Thank you Fire. I feel so fortunate when I receive informed intelligent reviews. It helps me understand my own journey in writing and also slightly ashamed that I lack the ability to give critiques to the many lit-netters who I admire so much. I had to read your comment several times before I got the gist, if that gives you any idea of my limited capacity!

[qimissung]

He is good at it, isn't he? FifthElement is, too. It is a specific kind of writing; I don't think I have an innate talent for it, and like all writing, requires focus and practice.

[Delta40]

He is good at it, isn't he? FifthElement is, too. It is a specific kind of writing; I don't think I have an innate talent for it, and like all writing, requires focus and practice.

your right Qim. I suppose I respond more emotionally to poetry rather than rationally and I write how it affects me. Perhaps if I work on balancing the two...