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Open Poetry #47
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ice
Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2011-08-02 07:07 PM


"The blues are because you're getting fat
and maybe it's been raining too long,
you're just sad that's all.
The mean reds are horrible.
Suddenly you're afraid
and you don't know what you're afraid of."
Truman Capote" Breakfast At Tiffany's
    
"The Mean Reds", painting by Alison Gregory

Out of sight, it lurks inside
Invisible--it darks my door-
Of mind...I lie
In bed in scare caused sweat
Afraid... of what?
Is the heavy weight
That smothers out all other thought.  

Short steps to a portal:

Night air sieves, fills my lungs
With still-thick breath
Of a gone down sun-it
Refreshes, somewhat
But something estranged
From my sight upraises
The  flag of inner fright--

Across the valley, the far hills echo
Noises of something blood colored-
Dressed in shades of primal dread
Against which logic makes poor armor;

Passing time proves poor defense
When a no-thing hides out on the steppes
Of endless mind-land plaines; the battle
Monsters teeth make bleed
My thin skin comfort...once, again!

I swing my sword of thoughts to slash,
But hear no moan or deaths last rattle.

The mean red beast and I fight on.

© Copyright 2011 ford hume - All Rights Reserved
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
1 posted 2011-08-02 07:35 PM


Fight on, ice!

"Passing time proves poor defense
When a no-thing hides out on the steppes"

that line is classic.

thanx for the poem, and sharing the inspirational pic.


Michael

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
2 posted 2011-08-02 07:42 PM


It's the "mean red beast" fir you to fight and it is shadows for me, my shadow actually. Capote. He had a few interesting quotes, that's for sure.

~ Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get. ~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
3 posted 2011-08-02 08:11 PM


Mean Red huh? So thats what gives me that yellow belly lilly livered feeling...good to know...it's not just me.  Great write!
Lori

ice
Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404
Pennsylvania
4 posted 2011-08-04 06:11 PM


Michael
I never thought of that line as classic, but am very happy to ssee what you said about it.
Thank You
***********************************
JP
Shadows are about the same thing as the mean reds, if they freighten you.. something is there that may cause fear, and you don't know what it is.
Thanks for reading.
************************************
Lori
Yup, Mean Reds..That's what Capote called them...as far as I know he coined the phrase for the book...I have never seen it used anywhere else.
Thank you for reading.

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
5 posted 2011-08-21 08:18 AM


quote:
I swing my sword of thoughts to slash,
but hear no moan or death's last rattle.



Wow, dear Ford, what a powerful write about that mostly undefinable unknown enemy that is fear.

Probably fear is a primordial emotion that was intended to make us watch out and to get ready to defend our lives.

I think there are few among us who may say honestly that they are totally free from some kind of fear. It is a very difficult enemy to cope with. Some succeed in diminishing the bad influence of fear on our behaviour, on our health.

I always remember Job's exclamation "what I most feared has come upon me" (3.25). And that in the case you know what you fear!

We must fight on indeed, in order to awaken to the truth that we are greater than we suspect and have more resources than we might dream of.

Great write, dear Ford. Food for thought as always.

Love and trust,
Margherita

"Love is the One who masters all things;
I am mastered totally by Love."
(Rumi)

ice
Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404
Pennsylvania
6 posted 2011-08-22 05:32 AM


Thank you M
"We must fight on indeed, in order to awaken to the truth that we are greater than we suspect and have more resources than we might dream of."
indeed


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