A
child-like family of origin poetic allegory captures meaningful complex family
dynamics through the story of "The Spider and the Butterfly." According
to Merriam-Webster, "allegory" is the expression by means of symbolic
fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human
existence. The work below is a deep examination of early family of origin
dynamics captured in a children’s story-like format. More specifically, the poem illustrates one
variation on the universal triangle themes of codependence, separation, loss,
fear, and the struggle for individuation, for developing your own authentic
voice. Mr. and Mrs. Spider and a little
butterfly are the principal players.
With its interplay of adult themes and children-of-all-ages format, I
believe the evolving piece is both fairly compelling and insightful. As always, would love your feedback. Enjoy
the epic journey. MG
Part
I of
“The Spider and the Butterfly” outlines the meeting of our opening two
protagonists – Mrs. Spider, head of her domain, and a little boy butterfly attracted to her
silky web. Initially wary, lil b quickly succumbs to the Queen’s
arms and charms…but at what price?
Part
II of
this epic poem, captures the wounded Mr. Spider’s story. More than ever, not only does he feel like
the subordinate partner, but now he’s being replaced. So, Mr. S begins to plot his “role model/rite
of passage” revenge. But what is
reality, what fantasy?
Part
III
captures the “family” showdown caught up in the classic triangle conflict: the Queen and Mr. Spider and the little boy
butterfly. Who has the power? Who will be passive? Who will prevail? Who will part ways? Who will plot revenge?
Part
I & II links:
ttps://www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-post-traumatic-stress-growth-transforming-adversity-mark-gorkin?published=t
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Spider and the
Butterfly: Not Necessarily Just a Children’s
Story: The Fateful Encounter –
Part I
The
spider spins a silky web
Of
soft and shiny aura.
How
will a little butterfly
Know
the coming drama?
Lady
S so wants a child
But
she herself is dry
And
a wounded Mr. Spider
Turns
his back and cries.
Sunlight
sparkles on the weave
Catching
the ‘lil butter’s eye.
He
soon alights upon the web
Her
tapestry does hypnotize.
The
‘lil one fills a big hole
In
her broken heart.
The
spin-stress knows not why she craves…
But
he must play a
part.
Is
he embraced or entrapped
In
the lady’s many arms?
Instinct
tells ’lil b to flee
Despite
her luring charms.
But
Lady Spider starts to sing
Her
haunting Siren ** song.
How
is one so young to know
Just
what is right from wrong?
The
moon has journeyed many times
Giving
in becomes veiled lie.
‘lil
b now
wonders who he is…
“Oh
no. I’ve forgotten how to
fly!”
** In Greek mythology, the Sirens were dangerous
creatures, who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to
shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island.
(Wikipedia)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Spider and the Butterfly: Not Necessarily a Children's Story Mr. Spider’s Story –
Part II
Part II
So
where is Mr. Spider’s thread
In
our enmeshed story?
For
in this tale of web and woe
Lady
S spins all the glory.
Mr.
S, alas, cannot weave…
His
scarlet mark of shame
Adding
insult to injury:
The
Queen’s needles are a pain.
To
numb a spider’s injured pride
He
gorges on the blood
Of
his wife’s hard-earned bounty
Drinking
far more than he should.
Mr.
S silently seethes
Black clouds smoke his red-hot brain:
How
can he seize ‘lil
b
From
the Queen’s web domain?
While
‘lil b so
quietly
Morphs…now
the “too good” child:
Wings
aflutter cool spider fears, but
White
noise “call of the wild!”
Then
one day, Mr, Spider
Announces
to his mate
That
he and the butter boy
Have
planned a hunting date.
‘lil
b
unexpectedly
Eyes
Mr. S. with newfound hope
But
quickly turns to reality…
Will
she let us cut the rope?
©
Mark Gorkin
2017
Shrink
Rap ™ Productions
lil
b may not know where he is going
but
I believe he will know how to get there.
Just
between you and me...
I'd
stay tuned for Part III.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Spider and the
Butterfly: Not Necessarily Just a Children’s
Story: The Dueling Dance of
Codependency – Part III
Lady S and lil b
Still
attached at the lip
Of
the web hangs Mr. S, alone
By a
thread getting a grip.
Grabbing
a loose strand
He
Ninjas towards the pair
To
cut this Oedipal ** knot, but
Jerks
to a stop mid-air.
A flash of panic in her
orbs:
Then a Queen Cold Medusa
** stare.
Why this male bonding
quest?
Mr. S... time for
"truth or dare."
A survival of the
fittest test:
Is a safe nest the
answer?
Or is her "be
safe" just b.s.?
Who folds from high
noon terror?
A
laser to his brain…
The
winner of this domain duel:
The hypnotic, symbiotic
E-magnetic
ball and chain.
**
Still
Mr S. turns to the boy
Soul
pleading with his eyes.
The
little wings but sadly shrug
He
knows where his butter lies!
Mr. Spider’s agony
War
paint drips down his face
Turns
fiery rejection red…
How
to live with such disgrace?
For
the little butterfly
One
question rends his heart:
Why
won’t Mr. Spider
Play
his manly part?
Simply
say to Mrs S.:
“The
boy will come with me!”
But
he meekly bows to the Queen
Yet
scorns the lil
b.
Mr.
S crawling in pain
Takes
one more parting glance:
First
heal his own wounds, then
End
the spider-butter trance!
**
Oedipal – Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex is a Greek
play that has captivated audiences and readers alike for centuries.
In Freud’s
hands the play became an illustration of the supposedly universal “Oedipus
complex”—
a group of emotions, usually unconscious, involving
the desire of a child, especially a male child, to possess sexually the parent
of the opposite sex while excluding the parent of the same sex (Psychology Today and The Free
Dictionary).
** Medusa was a monster, one of the Gorgon
sisters and daughter of Phorkys and Keto, the children of Gaea (Earth) and
Oceanus (Ocean). She had the face of an ugly woman with snakes instead of hair;
anyone who looked into her eyes was immediately turned to stone (AOL/Medusa Greek
Mythology).
** ball and chain – something that limits one's freedom or ability to do things (Merriam-Webster); someone
who won't let you do or go anywhere without
him/her (Urban
Dictionary).
©
Mark Gorkin
2017
Shrink
Rap ™ Productions
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