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Open Poetry #46
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Cpat Hair
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793


0 posted 2010-11-04 09:56 AM



Here the birch grow
And when dry, holds upturned palms in supplication
Begging alms of rain from unseeing eyes
While below
In last year’s fall
Black beetles glisten along the back as they
Scurry beneath the mould with whispered clicks
Calling Charon to his ferry
So some believe

It would be fitting to me
For my last journey to be that across the river
And I wonder if there the trees might have bleached white spine
As the birch do here
Or do they stand as ash on ash until the wind
Sweeps them from the root to air
Only to be formed anew when midnight’s ghouls
Dance bare skinned taunt of sins
To the newly arrived

Still,
I see beauty in the birch and in the beetle’s homely harangue
Knowing they fit well into the myths written on page
As they add a subtle elegance to the rubble
Where rooted
They soften our rape of hills and the ravage of stone
Left behind when the seeking of fortunes and
Mortality was bought with the backs of immigrants
And those who simply wished to survive
One more day to drink a pint, and pay the ladies
Down at Adeline’s for a few moments of skin
In hopes of softening the beetle’s click
When it came for them
Unworried as they were about the fare

I’m not from here
And can only see the birch and higher on the flank of hill
The hardwood that have filled in the scars
Not knowing of the families fed or lives changed
When the pay from mines or timber stands bought futures
Undreamed in other lands

So how can I condemn
The copse of birch with upturned palms
Or the beetle’s call
Beneath?

© Copyright 2010 Cpat Hair - All Rights Reserved
Amaryllis
Senior Member
since 2010-05-20
Posts 1306
Mi now
1 posted 2010-11-04 10:01 AM


Ohh.. so lovely, so layered, introspective... adore!
.
Amaryllis
.
ps: the fin. is superb.

Cpat Hair
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793

2 posted 2010-11-04 10:03 AM


thank you ma'am... you're kind to leave such nice words


JerryPat
Senior Member
since 2010-10-30
Posts 1991
Louisiana/America
3 posted 2010-11-04 10:06 AM


Nice work here. Ventured into man's inhumanity to man. I hesitate to blame the worlds troubles on the rich, even the greedy. We are what we are, they were what they were. There are people who make things happen, like the mine owners, the oil well producers, and there are those to come to them looking for work. It's a trade off. The ones who come looking for work will still be looking for work when the wells and mines shut down. Yes, the rich keep getting richer, but usually the poor standard of living benefits from the work he does. Sorry, didn't mean to get on my soapbox.

I enjoyed this posting immensely. The looking toward Charon and the beetle is something we all do from time to time.

. . . and the Raven said, %!~#&(&#!$!

Cpat Hair
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793

4 posted 2010-11-04 10:07 AM


thanks for the eyes and kind words sir..
both are appreciated.


Dark Stranger
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631
West Coast
5 posted 2010-11-04 11:14 AM


cpat, am sure if the trees read here at pip, they applaud your pen..enjoyed it amigo
Eusta B. Mae
Senior Member
since 2010-05-03
Posts 903

6 posted 2010-11-04 11:16 AM


I do so enjoy strolling along your scribblings...looking forward to moseying along your next mind's meadering. ebm
s1nfully_1nn0c3nt
Senior Member
since 2003-10-26
Posts 1105
Watertown, NY
7 posted 2010-11-04 01:06 PM


I do love the last stanza. Your pieces are always so detailed, which is a good thing. Enjoyed this.

-Trina.

"To decieve ones self, is truly a grueling battle. One which we're destined to lose."

Prasad Nataraj
Senior Member
since 2008-05-29
Posts 1149
Bangalore,India
8 posted 2010-11-04 09:01 PM


Very thoughtful and wonderful write on the immigrants, the beetle’s. Fine writing.

"Hardwork pays in the long run"

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
9 posted 2010-11-05 02:08 PM


You take me high up on a mountain and deep into the forest.  
You row me slowly across a golden pond and bring
a sense of peace and beauty with your exquisite poetry.

You do, you take me there.

Misty Lilacs
Senior Member
since 2005-11-15
Posts 1060
White Birch Forest
10 posted 2010-11-05 05:38 PM


Really enjoyed this. You are such an interesting writer!

ooxx  Marti


"I am using this cane as a fashion statement. It's the newest trend in accessories."

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
11 posted 2010-11-05 05:59 PM


Gotta love it Cpat

Great dig under the surface of peace to find the roots that all to often become uprooted for one reason or another. Really Styx in a person's mind!!

Great work!

Eric

[This message has been edited by ethome (11-06-2010 12:43 AM).]

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
12 posted 2010-11-05 09:37 PM


"Still,
I see beauty in the birch and in the beetle�s homely harangue
Knowing they fit well into the myths written on page
As they add a subtle elegance to the rubble
Where rooted
They soften our rape of hills and the ravage of stone
Left behind when the seeking of fortunes and
Mortality was bought with the backs of immigrants
And those who simply wished to survive
One more day to drink a pint, and pay the ladies
Down at Adeline�s for a few moments of skin
In hopes of softening the beetle�s click
When it came for them
Unworried as they were about the fare"

This definitely goes into the "I wish I had written that" category. Never saw Charon worked into a poem but you did it well. I've learned to sleep with a coin in my mouth, just in case.

Cpat Hair
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793

13 posted 2010-11-06 07:07 PM


thanks everyone for dropping in on my scribble... your kind comments are truly appreciated

thank you

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