viking funeral

poem by: Charlie Carrol
Written on Apr 30, 2024 

I knew it would hurt to yank the knife out but I didn’t know I’d miss it there. There is a gap in me now and I can’t stop stuffing my fingers in it. When you get your ears pieced is there a piece of flesh gone with the needle, or does the skin just part to make room? I know it doesn’t matter, really. I will still dig through the bins of the studio until I find the flesh I’m missing.

The sun goes down eventually, even in mid July. Days have been feeling longer recently, as they do this time of year. The nights are darker. There is a grotesque cavern in my chest. I can fit my whole fist in it. 

People will stop feeling sorry for me soon, stop helping me dig through skips searching for skin and bones that no one’s even sure I’ve lost. Soon it will be my own job to fix it, find some gauze or stitches or another knife if it will shut me up. 

I miss you. It’s all fucked up now. I can’t give back the chunks I have bitten out of you. I want you back. I’ve spat out your flesh and seared it and eaten it again. You couldn’t have it back now if you wanted it. I can’t take you back now if I wanted to. You can’t remember what you did with the parts of me I left for safekeeping. What we had is burnt and bloody and scattered around like a Viking funeral. I love you.

 

Tags: Sad, Love, Pain, Imagery, Weird,

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Tugrul Uysal commented on Jul 07, 2024 at 2:12am
Your poem "Viking Funeral" is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of grief and loss, crafted with vivid imagery and raw emotion that resonates deeply. From the poignant metaphor of yanking out a knife yet missing its presence, to the metaphorical search for lost pieces of oneself, your words evoke a powerful sense of longing and emptiness. The comparison of ear piercing to the deeper, unseen loss of flesh speaks volumes about the complexity of emotional wounds. The imagery of a cavernous chest where a fist can fit underscores the profound void left by separation and heartbreak. Your reflections on the passing of time and the diminishing sympathy of others capture the isolating journey of grief. The imagery of digging through skips for elusive skin and bones metaphorically portrays the desperate search for closure and healing. The poem reaches its emotional peak with the metaphor of consuming and searing the flesh of a lost loved one, unable to return what has been altered irreversibly. The analogy of a Viking funeral, where memories are burnt and scattered, encapsulates the finality and pain of letting go. In your poignant words, you beautifully articulate the complexities of loss and the yearning for reconciliation, highlighting the enduring impact of relationships on our lives. "Viking Funeral" is a testament to your skill in capturing the depths of human emotion and sharing them with raw honesty.

 

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