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Open Poetry #49
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JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2014-06-24 04:44 PM



bayou country
creek by any other name
river maybe
south Louisiana
place of water
swamps
with huge beige moons
making it feel soggy like a mushroom
just picked
distorted cypress knees
gives the impression of dark things
magnificent birds
with spindly legs swoop for its dinner
moss everywhere
covering the trees adding to the mystic
here in the bog of the swamp
you don’t have shadows
you have you watery reflection
civilization disappears
gives way to ghosts of the past
with their long beards
awaiting the rain
or whatever
these ghosts give comfort
for our tears
they whisper indistinctly
and . . . when the rain comes
as it must
the ghosts’ cold hands
seem to caress
understanding you are only
a trembling gloom
thrown by the magic which surrounds you
and the echoing sounds
in your ears
you understand
someone will be standing where you are
listening to your echo
a thousand years from now

©June 23, 2014 / Jerry Pat Bolton

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

© Copyright 2014 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved
JL
Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128
Texas, USA
1 posted 2014-06-24 06:29 PM


Deep in thoughts.  
I could picture the swamp and I could almost hear the echoes...
Great write, JP.  As always!!

JL


Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
2 posted 2014-06-24 06:34 PM


Thanks, JL. Again, good seeing you back.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
3 posted 2014-06-24 09:06 PM


Jerry, loving this. I also could almost feel and smell the heavy air and moisture there along the banks. jo
Redstart
Senior Member
since 2014-05-16
Posts 535

4 posted 2014-06-24 10:54 PM


Some great imagery here. And on it goes; nothing changes : those magnificent birds will always swoop amongst the moss.
Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
5 posted 2014-06-25 05:40 AM


My friend you have the swamp in your blood. And   you put blood, sweat and tears in all you write
This is no exception.

Lori

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
6 posted 2014-06-25 06:55 AM


Thank all of you, Jo, Redstart and Lori.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
7 posted 2014-06-25 01:32 PM


Just the piece of magic I need right now.  Thank you.  This is right up my forest path.  Other than mangrove swamps (which are very different from your swamp, it seems), I have never seen a swamp, except in this poem and others of yours previously, but I feel that I am right there, alone, to imbibe its every breath.

Owl

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
8 posted 2014-06-25 06:22 PM


We are below sea level in much of south Louisiana, Owl, and that affects the makeup of our swamps. I'm glad you liked the poem and maybe put you in a different place for a change.

~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~

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