navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #46 » a habit's handkerchief ("Shag")
Open Poetry #46
Post A Reply Post New Topic a habit's handkerchief ("Shag") Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738


0 posted 2010-03-21 09:34 AM



"What's the story?" (I like tales.)
My friend told me one or two--
about the wind in slack of sail
and how the boogey-men getchoo.

"Really?" I was interested.
"Tell me, what happened to him?"
"Vietnam," and chemicals.
"He comes here to look for her."

Aloha Shores. I looked around
at all the bamboo, slamming lights--
There, I thought, he might have found
that woman who kept him in sites.

It's just the sort of place that dreams
backward writhing drooling screams
with white around a cotton mouth
drubbed by a habit's handkerchief.

I watched him, swaying to the songs.
I watched him watch the door.
I saw him tickling the air;
making love to no one there.

The lights behind him grew too dim
so I spoke and asked of him,
"Tell me why are you so sad?"
He shed a tear, then he got mad

and walked away from me.

"I told you not to talk to him."
My guy told me, yet again.
"But," I said, "He was cryin'
listening to something strong..."

stronger than himself.

"Just don't mess around with him."
I mocked my date. He ordered gin.
"I'm serious, he's dangerous--
they call him Shag--his name is Glen."

I shrugged at "Shag" and asked my friend
to define what huge offense
the man had made for such nickname--
"that one? He's just not the same.."

"As me, or you, or all the damned?"
"Agent Orange--Vietman."
"Oh." I said. "I understand."
I watched the ice melt where Shag's hand

had left a drink to melt...with prints
of his fingers 'round the rock

glass, in widened wilting rings:

I realized I knew nothing.


I sucked my ice cubes dry...


© Copyright 2010 serenity blaze - All Rights Reserved
1slick_lady
Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088
standing on a shadow's lace
1 posted 2010-03-21 09:43 AM


you are Still one of the best i have ever read

talent such talent

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

2 posted 2010-03-21 10:12 AM


I only hope that one day I can live up to your praise, dear friend.

I am so lucky to have found such understanding and I do appreciate your forgiveness.

You're still my hero. *smile*

No pressure. Just love. Thank you.

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
3 posted 2010-03-21 04:47 PM


You're not a bad story-teller yourself...
you catch the glare of life
so well.

And with compassion.

And quite possibly, lend it a
human quality that no one else
thinks to do, for others.




Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
4 posted 2010-03-21 05:02 PM


quote:
I watched him, swaying to the songs.
I watched him watch the door.
I saw him tickling the air;
making love to no one there.



It's like being at the theatre when something moves us and we try to dry the tears without being seen.

Intensely poignant, dear Karen!

Love,
Margherita

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
5 posted 2010-03-22 05:46 PM


"Oh." I said. "I understand."
I watched the ice melt where Shag's hand

had left a drink to melt...with prints
of his fingers 'round the rock

glass, in widened wilting rings:

I realized I knew nothing.


I sucked my ice cubes dry...


I agree with Helen... you don't even know how good you are... and maybe... therein lies the magic.

Magnifantasterrific!

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
6 posted 2010-04-29 11:41 PM


Forgive me when I fail to post. I am not reading as much as I should and before I realize it much has passed down. This is absolutely one of the best I have read in a while. You tell a story so true and your passion and compassion always comes through.You are one hell of a writer dear one. latearrival  
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

7 posted 2010-04-30 12:01 PM


I'll try this again. (I'm tired and keep typing in the wrong box.) *sheesh*

But thank you all, but the credit goes to my sort of friend, "Shag"--his face is compellingly expressive--I could feel him. (That ever happen to ya'll?)

*smile*

I just write the stuff.

Dream sweet, folks. Love to all.

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
8 posted 2010-04-30 03:53 AM


I knew a couple of these casualties of Viet nam. Every bit as sad as the fate of my cousin who didn't come back at all.
                              Ida

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
9 posted 2010-04-30 03:53 AM


I knew a couple of these casualties of Viet nam. Every bit as sad as the fate of my cousin who didn't come back at all. You are a wonderful storyteller.
                              Ida

Dark Stranger
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631
West Coast
10 posted 2010-04-30 07:11 AM


and with the current administration it only is getting tougher on those of us who are left from the University of RVN..

enjoyed your art as usual serene one..

Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
11 posted 2010-04-30 11:07 AM


Yea, this is damn good lady.....hope you are doing just peachy!
passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
12 posted 2010-04-30 12:11 PM


well I got a 73 year old "pops" who talks about his son Shag whose real name is Matt....the tales I hear....


over and over and over and over

this is good K
Love it!

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #46 » a habit's handkerchief ("Shag")

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary