deepundergroundpoetry.com
Dreams of Bravado (A Badly Made Bear)
When they handed him to me the first time
and told me: Love him, aah...
Didn't they notice that serious stare
the upside down smile
and the space between Teddy's eyes
Didn't they realize
how the smallest details
a few careless stitches from a tired hand
could shape my life
mould it, break and shake it
all the way from toddler to grave
That's why I frown sometimes
when you cuddle me
and why when we sit
side by side on the sofa
your smile feels three feet away
but I am not my frown
there's a smile behind it
only for you
At the bottom of the garden
I have built a fire
to pile high all those things
I wish to unlearn
and one mad brave day
I will light it
to dance around the flames
and fly with the sparks to freedom
But for now
surrounded by resolutions
in my habitual way
I'll just stare and frown
at my dreams of bravado
as I continue to cope
with the consequence
of a badly made bear.
Published 31st Dec 2009
| Edited 27th Mar 2016
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Anonymous
31st Dec 2009 12:11pm
so well written, and deeply moving,the teddy bear image with faulty eyes really stages the pain:-)
31st Dec 2009 12:23pm
Thanks Priya - I always find it amusing that a Teddy bear with the fur worn away from his chest is described as "well loved" but people in similar condition would be called worn out!
Anonymous
31st Dec 2009 12:31pm
oh yeah we have conventions of beauty pertaining to particular things which shall always be respected, if you want to be counted in:-)
Anonymous
31st Dec 2009 8:49pm
Dark and poignant, this poem really affects me in a way I cannot quite define. The language is smooth and fresh, and the story startlingly original, even though it expounds upon an age old theme. A mini masterpiece, I suppose.
1st Jan 2010 11:22am
this is crucially painful, because reading this reminds me of reflections of myself. i can relate, and your imageries are as always, intricate
1st Jan 2010 11:31am
The best part is that I've still got the bear - which my Mum refused to throw away and I can't seem to either!
1st Jan 2010 12:19pm
.. I wouldn't go quite that far, Jack. It's fantastic that a stuffed animal named after an American president can provide such diverse inspiration time and time again.
