I don't know what prompted me to check for your return, but welcome back. This is a powerful poem. The imagery of fruit and poison, from Snow White, works well. The 'white fruit' and 'the bruise inside her' are especially vivid.
You disappeared whilst I was away from my blog, visiting my daughter in Japan.
I've been away dealing with certain personal issues myself... Nice to be back and and read you again! I like how you are using linebreaks and punctuation here. The growth of the black garden is violent.
Very powerful indeed, and I am glad it was not the reason you were away. I am glad you took the time you needed for yourself and for contemplation. But I am happy to see you back -and congrats on the 4 year mark.
blessings
I have given you the Kreativ Blogger award as yours is one of my favourite blogs. Please visit Watermaid's Weblog to find out what is involved and decide whether or not you want to accept it.
Glad you're back.
yaaaaay! we missed you! so glad you're back.
and glad to see you haven't missed a beat. this is so quietly insidious....a cancer. "color of bruise / ripens inside" and "pressing rot / in layers" - from the inside out - is perfect.
Yes! Finally after a long, thirsty absence we have some new poems from you... and these were both intense and vivid and so welcome... so good to read your work again, and I wish you peace in dealing with the personal troubles that have beset you... take care.
S. L. how wonderful to come here and read your stunning work again. Welcome back! You were sorely missed.
This poem speaks volumes. Layer by layer it astounds the mind and saddens the heart.
I am so happy to see you again, S.L. I was getting worried. I am so sorry you had problems. I am overjoyed you have returned. We are your fans, and we'll be around, no matter how much time you need to take off
And what a return you have made! This poem is so powerful. I'm glad you told us it's not what you've been experiencing. Coupling violence against women with Snow White is brilliant. I'm going to go back and read it several times.
It's so good to see you back, and you are in very good form. It's a difficult subject and you have addressed it from a whole new angle, a whole new metaphor. Thank you, S.L.
awesome work! dark, and full of power.
i like your choice of words, and these lines :"spreads like handprints pressing rot" sums up what this poem is all about..
i really love to read this poem aloud.
So psyched to have you back ... hope that all is well (or getting better) in your life. I love poems that reference mythology, fairy tales and other cultural icons.
Hi, and welcome back! You were missed. I too went through a period of absence. (damned muse went mute) I did do a bit of housekeeping, and return with a new url.
emptygarden.wordpress.com
I too enjoyed your returning piece. very powerful!
jorc
aah, springtime in the virtual world. I see I'm not the only one who hibernated 
I admire how you write from so many different perspectives, many not your own... this is something I imagined I could do when I was little, but, alas, have not attempted since. writing can be so many things...how lucky we are
hey SL I've changed the name of my blog to alkemykat (from murmuring to roaring with some mumbling in between) hope you are enjoying something beautiful and surprising...
This is painfully beautiful.
I recover the same way. Cocooning.
Potent. Violence transcends the physical, and the final lines of your poem capture every form of abuse: "pressing rot in layers, breaks through, sprouts black things, and grows, in her mirror, a garden."
I'm glad it's not you who's going through this but am no less troubled by the content, because what you express is very real. In any event, best of luck in resolving your own personal issues. I wish you all the best.
impressive, esp. those last 4 lines.
Carole, I am extremely grateful for the warm welcome, and for your continued support on the fruits of my literary efforts. The blog award, I accept, and keep on my sidebar as a token. (grin, blush)
Annette, "The growth of the black garden is violent." I like the way you put it (packs a punch). I hope things are looking up, wherever you are right now, dear.
Barbara, Retro, Bob, Kaye, many, many thanks.
Joaquin, your mention of 'cancer' is apt indeed; it gives the poem something extra, as material for interpretation. Insightful.
Julie, I can't say it enough: I am tremendously blessed to know you and have your friendship in this blogosphere. Your words do more than a warm handshake, even a bone-crushing hug, in person. Add to that the fact that your appreciation of my works is humbling for me.
Rachel, Dsnake, Henry, thanks a lot!
Jorc, "damned muse went mute" -- I adore the way you've expressed the frustration. 
Thank you for the visit. Do drop by again. (I hope your muse is makin' noise now, going hoarse at it in fact.)
Kat, "I admire how you write from so many different perspectives, many not your own..." Very observant of you to say so. I applaud your perceptiveness. Frankly, I have been intentionally/consciously avoiding writing personal poems. (Maybe it's a phase... haha.)
Cat Vibert, "cocooning"... Exactly.
20yearsfromnow, thank you for sharing your sentiments on the subject matter of the poem, which is a prevalent issue that knows no country borders (every woman, regardless of race, may be a victim, silent about it or not).
Kenn, hullo. It's been a while. Glad to see you here. I'm floored to receive your compliment. Many thanks.
Very powerful SL - the bullet-like phrases adding even more impact. Those last few lines would move even the stoniest heart into utter understanding of the brutality of abuse.
Yeah, it's been awhile for me too but I am never disappointed when I click over. I agree sometimes the temptation to complicate the simple beauty of a poem can be tough...you manage nicely.
kim
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