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Open Poetry #45
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2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea

0 posted 2009-08-28 04:39 PM



We navigate a surprising speedboat,
leaving pier 33 under the sun,
Alcatraz raises itself in the middle of the bay,
inescapable intriguing invitation,
we accost,
we cross a yard of concrete
and enter the history,
the rows of cramped cold cells,
the famous name of Al Capone,
anecdotes on the punishments,
the mutinies,
a menu posted at the canteen,
the yard of the punishments,
lives which go out and escape attempts,
everything is present in past,
everything is past in the present,
and we escape in the thick fog,
the guard of the bay
who makes disappear Golden Gate.

© Copyright 2009 yann rolland - All Rights Reserved
Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
1 posted 2009-08-28 04:48 PM


Hi, Yann the Man! An oppressive place to visit ~ and I sure as heck wouldn't want to stay there!

You set the tone perfectly with the following ~
"we cross a yard of concrete
and enter the history"

Fine expose!



Linda

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
2 posted 2009-08-28 05:29 PM


This is powerfully written, dear Yann, you really created the atmosphere!!

Just saw a documentary about this prison recently and the attempts to escape ...

Sheer horror.

Love,
Margherita


Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
3 posted 2009-08-28 10:01 PM


BRAVO, this is so well written, Yann,
and the fog does hide a lot of history that many wish not to view up close. I've been past there on a boat, but never stepped onto Alcatraz. It spooked me.

Prasad Nataraj
Senior Member
since 2008-05-29
Posts 1149
Bangalore,India
4 posted 2009-08-28 11:59 PM


"The Island of the Pelicans" i read about it after reading your poem, quiet a history behind this island. Something that reminds of human cruelty and brutality.

"Hardwork pays in the long run"

Toccatta
Junior Member
since 2009-07-08
Posts 26

5 posted 2009-08-29 01:13 AM


islander,

I really like the way you described the coming and going to Alcatraz.  I really liked this.

everything is present in past,
everything is past in the present

          Toccatta

2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
6 posted 2009-08-29 01:42 AM


dear Linda, your comment show there are awful conditions of life on the earth, these people are at down, we couln't bear it, the prison is quite a place to visit and you learn a lot about these people and stupendous facts...Thanks  for posting a such kind  comment.

yann

2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
7 posted 2009-08-29 01:43 AM


Thanks margherita, as you call it it is sheer horror, thanks for commenting and liking the poem.

have a nice day

yann

2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
8 posted 2009-08-29 01:46 AM


Thanks Midnitsun for reading and warmly commenting, I don't know where you live but if you pass by at San Francisco, you have not to hesitate, the visit is a keeper and a surprising one, unforgettable...

have  a nice day

yann

2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
9 posted 2009-08-29 01:48 AM


hello prasad, thanks for the informative comment, i totally agree at your point of view avout cruelty and brutality, my poem don't expose this aspect, everyone knows about it and I prefered to make a pleasant write...

thanks again

yann

2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
10 posted 2009-08-29 01:52 AM


Hello Tocatta, thanks for the constructive comment, I think you are write for the two verses you quote that make a twist to the poem; thanks for the relevant and very appreciated comment.

regards

yann

Heart2Heart
Senior Member
since 2009-05-15
Posts 738
Scotland/Norway
11 posted 2009-08-30 03:23 AM


A very fine write Yann.  Alcatraz is, and perhaps surprisingly for me some would say, one of those places I would like to visit in the US.  What a great idea with those poetic narrations from your US trip, could be used as a poetic travel guide by many
Katriona  

2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
12 posted 2009-08-30 03:36 AM


hello Katriona, thanks for the enlighning comment, when you travel in west, Alcatraz makes the journey different and is special to visit, there is such a part of history in it and spend an afternoon visiting it is unforgettable....Surely a place to see...visiting san francisco without alcatraz is like to love a woman without making  love to her....Oops, I guess you understand what I awkwardly mean.

have a nice day

yann

Paul Wilson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
13 posted 2009-08-30 04:28 PM


yann...If only the walls could speak, I bet they would tell some hair raising stories.
I would love to listen to them to feel the emotion and pain those imprissoned there went thru. Enjoyed you poem...Paul

~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

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