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Open Poetry #49
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Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa

0 posted 2016-03-01 01:18 PM


As she turned from the sky to the ground
she heard the chant of the whole human crowd.
“Love myself, love myself, love me, me”
as the only way to ere love another.  

Could it be, could it be, but no one should be
wrapped up and engaged with weeds in the fields
that seek to degrade the beautiful, free,
with thoughts of only a me, me, me.

She tried to go back to when it began
and find the corner she didn’t turn round
so she too could be in the valley of “me”
and chant forever in unison.  

Now directions for gypsies are none to clear
when issued by someone known not to care
for the you, the you, the you, you, you,
and so gypsies remain as inherently bred.

Who bred them to be so mindful of you
and battle the dragons plaguing your soul
when , oh, that tree of only a me
promises peace and harmony.

Would anyone leave such a paradise
to feel another’s pain and heartache
and she wonders how many would gather at noon
when asked to leave themselves far behind.

She doesn’t sigh as gypsies can do
but proceeds on her journey happy to be
a singer of her own special song
for you, of course, and you, you, you.

Maybe one day she’ll find the corner
and join the chant of humankind
but she doesn’t like corners that lead nowhere
and so she’ll remain as inherently bred.  

Helen /1 March 2016


© Copyright 2016 Helen - All Rights Reserved
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
1 posted 2016-03-01 02:19 PM


Ah . . . "To live inherently" is to adhere to the group and mistrust all strangers.
quote:
She tried to go back to when it began
and find the corner she didn’t turn round

She has, in the end, accepted the fact that strangers are not to be trusted, and therefore she will remains as
quote:
inherently bred


~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

XGarapanX
Senior Member
since 2008-06-19
Posts 1435
Antarctica
2 posted 2016-03-19 04:42 AM


This is well thought out and well written. My little brain and it's reading comprehension issues had to go over it a few times to see the story but I really like it.

·´~`·­»Garapan«­·´~`·

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa
3 posted 2016-03-19 05:58 AM


Thanks, XGX - shortened for my little brain.     I guess it's just like life - we have to go over it a few times to see the light either literally (as is suggested these days) or
metaphorically.  I'm still pondering the reincarnation bit - either it's true or a great deception.  

jjote
Senior Member
since 2002-12-25
Posts 1088
Ontario, Canada
4 posted 2016-03-21 07:25 PM


"but proceeds on her journey happy
to be a singer of her own special song"

I can relate to this part best...here's a being not overly concerned where the rest of the crowd are going or how they wish to proceed....she chooses for herself her own  way to travel. I hope I'm not too far away in my take of this lovely poem

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa
5 posted 2016-03-22 03:16 AM


Thanks, jjote.  I'm not too sure that it's a choice but rather just the way she is.  So, for selfish people I guess it's also just the way they are.  
ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
6 posted 2016-03-22 12:41 PM


Very uncaring world in many ways and many seek shelter in their own little bubble.
Many many angles to look at this writing.

Good work Helen!

true love never looks after it's own interests

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa
7 posted 2016-03-23 04:37 AM


Thank you, Eric.  Fortunately there are pockets of caring people around.  One just needs to find them.
time prophet
Member
since 2003-07-30
Posts 371
In New Zealand Amongst the Ancient Trees
8 posted 2016-03-25 07:36 AM


There comes a time when the me, me, me should be the first priority.
Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa
9 posted 2016-03-25 09:55 AM


Thanks tp.  Oh, I know it but there are some things in life I find so very hard to do.  Freak of nature perhaps??
jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
10 posted 2016-03-26 11:48 PM


Hmm - not often a piece mixes moisture with the dust in my eyes, my friend, but I saw my grand daughter (14 years), who has trouble connecting life's dots, in this piece, and loving her like I do, my heart hurt for the things I perceive, and we've spoken of, going round and round in her head.

I wish - Oh How I Wish . . . I could take the pain away from her.
j.

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa
11 posted 2016-03-27 02:15 AM


Thanks for the read, jw.  You can take the pain away from her just by being there for her and listening.  Sometimes people even as young as your granddaughter need someone to talk to so they can organize their own solutions. I wish her and you well.
Cari
Member
Posts 411
Englnand
12 posted 2016-03-28 10:38 AM



Now directions for gypsies are none to clear
when issued by someone known not to care
for the you, the you, the you, you, you,
and so gypsies remain as inherently bred.


I am not clear in my mind if this stanza relates directly to the Romany race or used as a general reference to the’ inherently bred’. At the turn of the last century and through to the 1950s, Gypsies were a common sight in the English countryside. My interest in them results from a rather strange source.
The first words a baby learns are mom, mummy and dad or daddy because they are easy and also most important words for a baby to learn.  
For the first two or three years of my life, so I am told, I insisted in calling my mother ‘Day’ which was very confusing and disturbing for her and I can see why. The word has absolutely no connection with the word mother; also apparently the rest of my vocabulary was fine, even advanced for my age. After those infant years the word vanished and it was always mother.

A few years ago I was idly surfing the net and came across a site on the Romany language and read this.
Day Mother 1.41
I was so shocked I just sat there staring. As far as I know our family have no connection with the Romany people at all. I assure you this is 100% true, even writing this I get a few shivers.

I loved your poem and it was well written, kudos to you.

The Romany people were disliked in Victorian times and myths about the race included that they would steal young children and raise them as their own.  

A poem, a favourite of mine, is Gypsy Vans by the writer Rudyard Kipling in which he compares the lives of gypsy folk with how the majority live. It’s not hard to understand which he prefers.  If you want to read the whole poem just Google the title.


Unless you come of the gipsy stock
  That steals by night and day,
Lock your heart with a double lock
  And throw the key away.
Bury it under the blackest stone
  Beneath your father's hearth,
And keep your eyes on your lawful own
  And your feet to the proper path.

    Then you can stand at your door and mock
       When the gipsy vans come through...
     For it isn't right that the Gorgio stock
       Should live as the Romany do.


Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa
13 posted 2016-03-28 02:03 PM


Hi Cari.  I think you've got a good case there for reincarnation.  The Day bit would indicate that but no need for shivers.  It's a "past" life.     

Yes, the gypsies have not gone down in history too well but perhaps because they didn't fit into the norm they were blamed for everything.

You have reminded me of my first poem about a gypsy which I will post again.  Thereafter  there have been many and I guess my gypsy stories relate to myself, my thoughts and what's going on in my life.

Thanks for the read and for your interesting comment because I have been pondering the fact or otherwise of past lives.  

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