Pandora's Box is a compilation of my poetry, written over the course of thirty years. From the beginning I knew the title, because letting my words out was very much like the opening of Pandora's Box. The following are brief glimpses of whole poems; pulling back the bandage, exposing the surface of the wound to the air. Nancy Lister Swayzee
What is this grief... this terrible grief The source appearing to be new and young and fresh The pain so old, so familiar, so exhausting The knock on the door, one I know well ***
You arouse me You wake me from my deep sleep Of years You move me Like a sleeping volcano Quivering, trembling, shaking at its core Fire and liquid heat finally bursting from its depths... ***
I don't know where the numbness starts Is it in my feet...The way I carry myself in the world? Is it in my head... Where I dream the dreams that have led me? Or is it in my heart...Which pulling itself into a circle That surrounds itself - releases its pain In tears of blood that fall from my eyes.... ***
I'm caught so off balance I trip over my own words Rolling my eyes Wringing my hands Shuffling my feet I feel like a rabbit... I want to run and hide But I'm frozen to this spot In time ***
I saw myself... oh, I saw myself today And I heard the music as though for the first time; And hearing it speak my voice I remembered who I am ***