
I am a slick pen
slicing furtively into bone
She is a kind heart
bleeding with purpose
onto a muslin sleeve
I am a ghost on the parchment
She is a splash of color
saturating the page
I command pity
She earns respect
I am words
lacerating sensibilities
She is music
sitting sweetly in the mouth
I am a split lip
She is an unscathed tongue
I am deceit
She is a white lie
-SUSAN RICHARDSON
Susan Richardson is the author of “Things My Mother Left Behind”, from Potter’s Grove Press, and also writes the blog, “Stories from the Edge of Blindness”. Her poems have appeared in The California Quarterly, Ink Sweat and Tears, and The Opiate Magazine, among others.
You can read more of her work at FloweringInk Poetry and Blogger Susan Richardson and find her on Twitter @floweringink.

We would love to read your work. Interested? Please READ our SUBMISSION GUIDELINES.
–MASTICADORESINDIA
Susan’s poetry is slick and impressive. Not a word or thought is wasted in ifs or buts. Deceit and white lies are the perfect partners. One bleeds through the mouth while the other sheds crocodile tears. The artistic comparisons are hard-hitting and one can feel and visualize the aura and energies of the slice and dice of this writer’s words.
Congratulations Susan!
LikeLiked by 4 people
What a carefully crafted, heart-piercing poem! No word is wasted at all indeed.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you so much, Terveen. Your support means the world to me! It is an honour to be a part of MasticadoresIndia!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Lamittan! All my best to you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Most welcome.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on Stories From the Edge of Blindness and commented:
I am super excited to have one of my poems in the extraordinary MasticadoresIndia! Huge thanks to editor Terveen Gill, who is a talented and generous editor, writer and artist.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am so truly touched by this piece. It stings to read your words,
“I am a ghost on the parchment
She is a splash of color”
It is such a beautiful way to describe deceit, lies, and the damage they birth. A betrayal that you describes with such gorgeous metaphors and descriptive phrases, that catch my breath. Beautiful writing, and I so look forward to reading more of your work. Many hugs, Joni
LikeLiked by 4 people
Congratulations, Susan and what a wonderful choice by Terveen! Susan’s own raw beauty bleeds through every poem of hers I read…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Joni! I am so grateful for your care in reading and your lovely comments. All my best to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Thank you so much!!! You know I adore you and everything you write!!
LikeLike
It’s always a pleasure, Susan!
Take good care and all the best in this new year, Kim…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved it!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great poem Susan.. no matter how you dice it.. lies don’t cute the mustard.
Congratulations! 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person