Good morning!
I wrote this poem after being inspired by a story that was told to me by a girl that I worked with last summer. This girl, had the most joyful childlike sweetness I have ever seen in an adult, but as soon as she opened her mouth to sing, you knew she was a woman. She has this voice, like a force that barrels out of her with a mission to capture your attention, and make you hear what is inside beyond the sweetness. One day I listened beyond the sweetness and wrote this.
Saccharine
Grown-up Saccharine birthday girl,
With brightest smile and chocolate curl;
Constructs her pointy birthday hat,
Then over pancakes we did chat.
Her eyes took on a distant look,
As she recalled a coloring book.
Her mother sent her off to play,
On a distant island far away.
She colored tight and sung out loud.
Her strong voice made her mother proud.
And so she fetched ripe Saccharine,
To glean the talent of her teen.
She gave her gorgeous clothes to wear,
And made her dye her skin and hair.
Her mother always wanted more.
No imperfection could she ignore.
The only time her mother praised,
Was when a crowd would be amazed.
When Saccharine’s voice filled their ears,
It wrapped them up and eased their fears.
Her mother only let her sing,
In the hopes of all the money she’d bring.
After many years of sheltered song,
She decided not to play along.
One rebellious fated night,
Saccharine closed her full lips tight.
She vowed to never sing until,
She chose to, of her own free will.
Her mother screamed and cried with threat,
She lied and bribed her with a pet.
But Saccharine remained truly steadfast,
Though her mother’s cruelty was aghast.
Until another fated night,
When Saccharine could no longer fight.
She packed her bags and savings too,
And headed toward the ocean blue.
As the very last star whispered goodbye,
She stood in awe of the morning sky.
The wet sand welcomed every toe,
And the seagulls seemed to shout “Hello!”
The palm trees beckoned her to the shore.
The cold sea promised to always adore.
This broke the silence of her song.
And she sang to the sea free and strong.
And everyday she sings at dawn,
To the patient fisherman and passing prawn.
Today her birthday wish is for me,
To release my sorrow to the sea.
And so I will go,
Because I know,
The Joy of my friend Saccharine
Is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
JESS COFFMAN
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