Wednesday Words: Ribbons by Rosa Marchisella

Welcome to Wednesday Words, where each week we’ll dazzle you with words from a variety of poets! This week’s poem comes from Rosa Marchisella, one of the contributors to our Feminine Flower poetry submissions.

Rosa Marchisella is an author of both fiction and non-fiction books (under the name Rosa Arcade). Her other written work include 4 co-authored publications, web articles, marketing and media projects, as well as promotional and educational tools. Her poetry has appeared in several anthologies and websites and over a dozen of her scripts have been produced to date. Rosa is also the creator of the animated series, Zomb-Eh? and currently lives in Ontario, Canada with her children.

Ribbons

When I was just a young girl

I wore ribbons in my hair

The world was full of wonder

And the judgments were all fair

Everybody seemed to love me

As I marched to my own beat

And the future lay before me

Like a treasure at my feet

When I laughed, the world laughed with me

When I cried, they sent me home

For happy girls can have sweet kisses

But sad girls are left alone

When I became a teenager

I still wore ribbons in my hair

Although my friends all turned to dust

And no one seemed to care

All the girls, they came to hate me

And the boys just wanted sex

While my folks couldn’t understand me

My heart was an open text

When I laughed, the boys laughed with me

And when I cried, I cried alone

For they only wanted smiles

So, my true face stayed at home

When I became a woman

There were no ribbons anymore

For they could get me killed

Coming out of my front door

The local gangs, they are reflecting

The greater violence everywhere

But, I found a man who loved me

And I cut off all my hair

When I laughed, the world laughed at me

When I cried, it was in the Dark

For my joys did not come easy

And Death had nearly hit its mark

Now that I am older

All the ribbons have returned

I don’t care if I get shot

‘Cause I’m tired of getting burned

By all the ones who say they love me

And the lessons that I’ve learned

Once again I’ve found my own beat

And the treasures that I’ve earned

When I laugh, I give to Spirit

When I cry, I take some back

For I’ve found the strength to journey

And I’m never coming back