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Open Poetry #47
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Jaki H
Member
since 2008-01-19
Posts 232
NJ, USA

0 posted 2011-01-05 11:34 PM


My friend died exactly one year ago, on january fifth, 2010. She was only 18, and was hit by a car. This is a poem for her.
Honest opinions please. I wrote it quickly, but I would like to know of any weak spots or what you thought in general.
Thanks!
xoxo,
Jaki H
---------------------------------------

Paradox.
----------

No matter what- rich, poor, genius, not,
people long for what they can’t have.
This paradox seems all too funny.
Only a year since your death, and we still
Cry because you’ve left us, because you’ll never return
Because you’re dead, and here we are, still breathing and living and dreaming
of a better tomorrow.
Our lamentations are a symphony of sorrow and remembrance, each year growing more ritualistic.
I bet you’re in heaven, laughing at our foolishness
I bet you’re crying with shaking laughter at the bitter irony of it all
because you see what we see, but in reverse
we, who want so bad for you to come back, and you, peering at us foolish.
if you could reach down, touch us with hands sending shivers up our backs,
you would lean close and whisper it is us who are mistaken,
and heaven is wonderful.
We should join you up there
with angels and soft dew drops,
there, where each cloud has a shining silver lining
Why suffer, why feel empty, why long for death yet fear it so?
why live on pills, with empty promises that a swallow will solve the misery?
You know it won’t, and if it does, it’s just until the next swallow.
Why live living on swallows,
when heaven is just a car crash away?
Only a year since your death, and here I am, deathly alive
Only a year since your death, and there you are, my little rotting angel
It’s funny, this paradox,
that you should be wanted on earth,
and us longed for in heaven.
That both want
What we can’t have.

© Copyright 2011 Jacqueline M. H. - All Rights Reserved
Alison
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Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!
1 posted 2011-01-06 01:50 AM


You wrote from the heart and I felt that.  I really liked --

"Why live living on swallows,
when heaven is just a car crash away?"

I didn't really like the "rotting angel" - it jarred me and maybe that is intentional on your part.  I am not suggesting you change it - just didn't work well for me.

I liked it.  It was a sensitive and interesting poem.

Thank you for sharing something that is close to your heart.  I can tell that you miss your friend.

Thinking of you and your poem.
Alison

JerryPat
Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991
Louisiana/America
2 posted 2011-01-06 06:24 AM


It's tough to lose someone we care deeply about. This poem speaks of those kind of losses quite well.

~ Intolerant people are the people who do not believe the way we want them to,
which makes us intolerant by default.—July 26, 2010 ~

XGarapanX
Senior Member
since 2008-06-19
Posts 1435
Antarctica
3 posted 2011-01-06 07:06 AM


I commented on this in the Teen Poetry Forum. i like it.

·´~`·­»Garapan«­·´~`·  "Look! Crumbs on his jacketses... Heeee took it!"

Jaki H
Member
since 2008-01-19
Posts 232
NJ, USA
4 posted 2011-01-06 08:55 AM


hmmm... then do you think maybe it would be stronger if I eliminated that "this paradox seems all too funny" line? I feel like it might flow better without it, and I establish the whole paradox thing at the end....
JDH
Junior Member
since 2009-03-29
Posts 12
Illinois, U.S.
5 posted 2011-01-07 12:02 PM


yeah..the line "this paradox seems all too funny" is a tad redundant, but it's splitting hairs, really.  the line "Why live living on swallows when heaven is only a car crash away" was a rare kind of witty...all in all, excellent perspective and even better writing
Jaki H
Member
since 2008-01-19
Posts 232
NJ, USA
6 posted 2011-01-07 11:04 PM


JDH,
thanks for the honesty! I reviewed my poem a bit earlier today, and came to the same conclusion myself. Hearing you say it definately solidifies my thoughts! Yup, line eliminated.

Thanks!!!!

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