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Open Poetry #36
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st. louis cemetery #1
| Open Poetry #36 |
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st. louis cemetery #1 |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738
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There is a silent plea that screams from the eyes of those we grieve even as they leave we need pretend-this-isn't-happening "then get me quick into the tomb" seperate my fingers, groomed around the rosary... and write some pithe for epitaph. Tell them all I laughed, okay? . . . |
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| © Copyright 2005 serenity blaze - All Rights Reserved | |||
Nightshade 
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
As I said in your "Ninth Ward" write - haunted. There is a reason for this, as of yet unkown to us. Bless You. |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
This is so freaky because I was just thinking what was happening with all of the cemetaries, Karen. I was thinking when we spoke - when I was researching them before all of this - and just today I was thinking, My God . . . what has happened to them? And I could not even come up with an answer for myself. |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Karen I can't even begin to imagine...  |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
OMG, Karen....it probably is just so! Great write, with a very weird twist (which I quite like) because they are probably laughing....but still, it is a henderous situation.   ....jojo |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Ghost on the street today Doorways of Jackson Square In tinsel and tap shoes Mardi Gras beads in her hair Down to the graveyard She wrung out her hands As if he will meet her All day she stands ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm a ghost on the streets today Surrounded by eyes I feel them peer through me And my harlequin disguise If it makes you feel better Come join me the while And there's love in these open arms Some love in my spirits' smiles Edwin McCain  Thru the water...thru the rain |
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Kaoru
since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892where the wild flowers grow |
 The sun always hides when it's wanted, and only shines when it knows it's needed. I know..laughter...it can't bring anyone back, but it can surely create something new. Much love to you, m'dear. |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
  how i would love you, love you as no one ever did! Die and still, love you more. And still love you more..and more |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
again..what to say? purge. feel better |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I am so glad to see this spill of emotion being shared, and with such reverence Karen. You know how I feel about those graveyards dontca? Loved Meghan's thoughts on this poem actually. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I am indeed a cathartic writer, and sometimes with apologies, but most times not. For those who don't like cathartic writing, just consider it my personal digging through rubble. Every now and then I come across a "picture" to share. Love to all. and thank you |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
not what we want.. of course not.. not what you want either.. but you go on and we will read and try to understand. Make it clear to all who can feel... martyjo |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
"cathartic writing" is there any other kind? love you lady."too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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shades of paul Member
since 2005-12-14
Posts 370In Reality |
A haughting poem to be sure,Christmas cheer to you,paul shades of paul,peace,love,and happiness |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Please keep digging through that "rubble"... the picture you find may be just what someone needs. This was... for me. *S* |
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gemjop Member Elite
since 2002-11-18
Posts 2587Pencilveinia, USA |
agreeing with suthern, keep picking, however painful, it's bloody good writing. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Serenity Blaze, I read every word of yours that I can find in the time I allot for myself online (expensive in South Africa) - and all too often outside that time as well. I love your poetry very much. This was a very powerful poem with an exquisitely courageous truth, especially in that last line. The most beautiful beauty is truth. To expose your cathartic poetry to us, is bestowing on us a great honour - that you trust us and understand that we feel for you. Thank you for that. Please feel my profound "understanding" though I don't know the circumstances. Even if I did, I believe that nobody can truly understand another's pain and suffering, but the important thing is that they try. I have always felt that the greatest understanding comes when one doesn't understand. You are a beautiful person inside and out and your poetry is beautiful inside and out. Thank you for the beauty of this poem and honour of posting it to us. - Owl |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Oh, and I forgot to say, if there is a St Louis Cemetry #1, surely there is more - or more that is going to be written? Please will you post it too? - Owl |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Sorry, me again! Not living in America, I am not sure what current issue there is about cemetries. Could somebody please tell me. - Owl |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
 and this one too... "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
serenity, karen, your words clench the heart |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
For Owl, because I'm so honored by your kind attention:  This is the gate to the oldest existing cemetery in New Orleans. Our cemeteries are reknowned here, as they appear to be small cities with all of the tombs standing like little houses in neat rows. Our custom is to bury our dead in this manner because New Orleans (as everyone knows well now) is below sea level. When the area floods, as it is prone to do, a sealed casket placed directly into the ground (as is the custom elsewhere) has the distasteful result of popping out of the ground due to the combination of the consistancy of the mud (which turns to sludge) and the inevitable gases trapped inside the casket from the decay of the corpse. To answer everybody's question--I do not know what happened in this particular cemetery. I quit going out much, because frankly, I am too sensitive, and my immune system is apparently so compromised that I actually became very ill when I insisted on visiting my beloved French Quarter upon my return. So I stay home alot, since I live in an area that remained unflooded, and comparatively unscathed to the surrounding areas. So I don't know if this cemetery flooded--but I do know that the cemetery where my father-in-law and his parents are buried did flood. I was told by my husband's aunt that the flooded tombs had to be opened and aired, swept clean and sanitized, and after our spell of gratefully dry weather, the caskets were replaced accordingly. Down Highway 23, however, where locals persisted in burying their dead in the ground, there is indeed a place where caskets are lined, where one can go to claim their dead ancestors. (This boggles my mind--I don't think I could pick out my grandparents by viewing a moldy casket, much less my great grandparents.) But anyhow, OWL, that is the story of our caskets, and how New Orleans became famous for their cemeteries as "Cities of the Dead." The poem itself was not intended literally. I used it as metaphor, because many of us here in New Orleans feel like we are dying as a city, and that the fact is being ignored. Sometimes even by us. So economically, nod, we are dying, but trying not to act like it, and as I thought of this, I remembered visiting my father, who knew he was dying, but wouldn't talk about it with me. Yet there was so much conversation in his eyes as he held my hand. He seemed to be both apologizing and pleading with me, while we both made promises of doing things in the future together, plans that we knew would never be actualized. So that's where the text of the poem came from... Thank you Owl, for your interest and for your graceful attention. If I find some more copyright free photos of the tombs here, I'll try to post or send more. (If not you can type in st. louis cemetery number one on google and hit images.) Thanks again, everyone, for your kindness and understanding. I love you all bunches. *hugs* |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Thank you so much Serenity Blaze for your explanation, the photo and the time you took to reply to me. How absolutely horrific that all must be! I hope that you are recovering in every possible way from the dreadful experience of Katrina. I am sure it will take a long time, but step by step will get you there. I misunderstood the poem. I took it metaphorically, but thought that it was about the death of somebody you couldn't mourn. I am so very glad, for your sake, that that wasn't the case. Believe me, paradoxically, it is very painful. My misinterpretation doesn't alter the fact one bit that you are very courageous. Please accept my humble little prayers for you and all of New Orleans. - Owl |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Owl? You have such a gracious way about you. My poetry is rather vague, I realize. It's something I need to work on. Conversely, in conversational mode, I can't seem to shut up.  So thank you yet again, for taking the time. |
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luminosity Senior Member
since 2005-11-18
Posts 813 |
sigh.....oh my...so many times I think of how much I would like to be gone from this earth, but to think of the 'after' and the greiving of loved ones stops me in my tracks...this write is like stopping with one foot in the air ... nicely done |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
"My poetry is rather vague, I realize. It's something I need to work on" Geez, Karen, don't do that!! I love how you write. (and I know I am not the only one). "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
I love your poetry just as it is. I love poetry that shrouds itself in mists that one has to peer into, to be rewarded with the shapes that emerge. - Owl |
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