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Martie
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since 1999-09-21
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California

0 posted 2000-10-18 07:13 PM


To Stretch


I wanted stretching,
movement out,
out of this little space
where words fly around like
flecks of air in the sun,
haphazard as dust.

And I see now that stretching
is something that happens
to the coil of road
that travels through
the mine fields of the spirit,
sometimes you slither on it,
for explosions hurt
and pieces of you could fall
in enemy territory,
then you’d have to sort out
who is, and who is not the enemy
in the face of promises that pass
and do not say danger,
and I must remember that
the meadow across the street
looks even prettier
then the one beneath my feet,
but it is not.

I prefer just to stroll,
for if I show fear the lion will
chase me across the tundra,
peacefulness is the key, you see,
to staying alive,
and then when I’m sure that the ground
will hold my big thinking,
then, jump and shout,
run and slide across the feeling,
dig a hole, just so
to plant joy, and then sit back
and watch it grow
but remember it will need tears,
there is just no getting around that.

It is really all so complicated, isn’t it,
this thing that bleeds feeling,
this heart that breaks and sheds so much crystal
and all these thoughts now like marbles
rolling away from my meaning
until all I can see is a rainbow of color
collecting against the horizon
and sinking slowly from violet to crimson,
so hot now in its proximity to knowing
that it hisses as it touches the first star.

And does any of this make sense anyway,
and does it really matter if it doesn’t
for I still have my space
and I can see that I have stretched some,
there are marks to prove it,
imprinted into my  
glazed and jeweled reflection,

yes, I have stretched.



[This message has been edited by Martie (edited 10-18-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved
SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
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Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
1 posted 2000-10-18 07:21 PM


Martie~ you "stretch" so much better than most of us do!

and I must remember that
the meadow across the street
looks even prettier
then the one beneath my feet,
but it is not.


   -SEA

Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
2 posted 2000-10-18 07:29 PM


Peacefulness is indeed the key to staying alive, MArtie....once again beautiful writing  
Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

3 posted 2000-10-18 09:09 PM


omg OMG Martie, this is just so amazing that I am lost for words, I'm sitting here with my chin on the floor, I want to stand up and yell, "Martie YOU'RE A STAR"

indeed you are  

Maree

"If my words could blanket the skies
and fill every corner and crevice of
this earth, still this won't be enough"
"Maree Russo"

Denise
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since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

4 posted 2000-10-18 10:05 PM


I'm picking my chin up off the floor too! WOW! What images you created in my mind! Absolutely wonderful!

Denise

Gemini
Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203
Wisconsin, USA
5 posted 2000-10-18 10:11 PM


You write some very descriptive power of feelings with this one, very awesome, I liked.
Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
6 posted 2000-10-18 10:35 PM


" when I’m sure that the ground
  will hold my big thinking,
  then, jump and shout,
  run and slide across the feeling,
  dig a hole, just so
  to plant joy, and then sit back
  and watch it grow
  but remember it will need tears,
  there is just no getting around that."

I love how your mind thinks and the way you express yourself - this whole poem is beautiful!  

Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
7 posted 2000-10-19 11:33 AM


Sea--I don't think so...this one may have pulled a muscle or two.

Balladeer--Just a couple of minutes a day of peace would be nice...thanks deer.

Maree--I'm so glad you liked this...I'm not sure that I do.  Thanks for letting me know, now pick up your chin.

Gemini--Yes, they were powerful...thank you.

Bill--Thanks for your sweet comment...now, have you got some aspirin?
Denise--You make me smile.

Marsha
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since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
8 posted 2000-10-19 01:10 PM


Martie, I'm astounded, this is soooo great. You are an absolutely brilliant poet, this is spectactular. Just Wow You know that I really love this, just checking?!
Take care
               Marsha
                    

Poertree
Senior Member
since 1999-11-05
Posts 1359
UK
9 posted 2000-10-19 05:38 PM


martie,

for once i have to disagree with my aussie friend.  while this had a few of your usual stunning images and allusions it seemed to me somehow to lack the cohesiveness of most of your recent poems.  it seemed somehow overly fragmented, or maybe disjointed is a better word.  in some ways, given the theme or message, this may not be a bad thing at all:

"where words fly around like
flecks of air in the sun"

well the poem seemed to do that to some extent ..... perhaps it's just me - maybe i'm a control freak ......lol



philip

CocoBaci
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 3043

10 posted 2000-10-19 05:45 PM


Martie, a sweet read indeed thankU
Coco

passing shadows
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since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
11 posted 2000-10-19 07:36 PM


Martie, I wish I could find the secret you have found, so peaceful, and I read it in this poem.
Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
12 posted 2000-10-19 09:33 PM


What does
really matter
in the times
of reflection
one does
to encase life
as all that surrounds
and all the gives
brings not
the visions we seek
but rather
cause us to seek
that which
we can only invision
from mindsets
born of misgivings
in weak moments,
tearful breakings,
and
the moments of joy
that seem to fly
so freely
to some as a breeze is lifted
only to catch
that which we desire
and rest it
across life's little crossroads.

Marge Tindal
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since 1999-11-06
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
13 posted 2000-10-19 09:49 PM


Martie~

'when I’m sure that the ground
will hold my big thinking,
then, jump and shout,
run and slide across the feeling,
dig a hole, just so
to plant joy, and then sit back
and watch it grow
but remember it will need tears,
there is just no getting around that.'


So ... that's where the joy comes from -
perhaps I had forgotten.
Well, I've cried the tears -
so I'm looking for a great harvest !

I'm  s t r e t c h i n g  with you !
~*Marge*~





~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

Martie
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
14 posted 2000-10-19 10:14 PM


Marsha--I'm not sure...please tell me again...you have made me think maybe this poem isn't so bad after all.

Philip--You are not a freak of any kind and yes, my words were floating around because that is just how I felt...maybe that's okay..if not..well, it just is.

Coco--Thank you for the "sweet", sweet.

Passing Shadows--I have no secret to peace, except to know that it is fleeting, so grab it if you see it.

Mark--Now you gone and made me cry..your verse is meaningful to me...thank you, sweet cowboy.

Marge--All I know is life seems to want to give you both...and I guess that the harvest is better if you can appreciate all the feeling that touches us to joy and tears...thanks sis!


Marsha
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
15 posted 2000-10-20 06:26 AM


Martie, certainly I'll say it again, I love this poem. Not so bad, it's a real jewel, 24 carats, I love this.
Poertree
Senior Member
since 1999-11-05
Posts 1359
UK
16 posted 2000-10-20 10:04 AM


sheesh .......LOL...now i know what Brad feels like (i always wanted to be an ogre when i grew up ..heh).  Perhaps i should elucidate:

1   I think this is a good poem in the sense that compared with 99% of the rubbish on the net it's totally excellent

2   It's not one of your best IMHO for the reasons i stated

3   (and most important) is it ok to write how you feel? ... geez ..it's more than ok of course ~smile~, and if 99 people think that what you wrote was great and one person has slight reservations then i guess that says something about the one person ..eh?....lol

meantime martie - thanks again  

philip

PS HEYYYY a real live discussion in Open ...      

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