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Open Poetry #9
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California

0 posted 2000-08-25 01:05 PM


THE HUNTED


I walk the blackened highway, as Orion claims the skies,
Unfolding as a tempest ‘fore these worn and weary eyes -
While Darkness points the finger to a numbing in my chest -
While woe and wrong subdue the song of Life's long, futile quest.

Awakened to a wilderness of dying desert sand,
I sift the dreams, as if ashes, with cold and calloused hand.
I bite the palm to suck the blood, then peel the tainted skin,
To taste, in haste, the barren waste of antiquated sin ...

...As Thunder, rent asunder, shreds all threads of living Light!
...As rain becomes the pain of day wrapped well into the Night!
...As if the crown, yet held on high, though worn by King and Clown,
Would stem in whole one hell-wrought soul to ever weigh me down!

Stretched far into the distance of a fast-fading false dawn,
What glimpse of hope for this myope by Mourning's mist is drawn?
Oh, Hunter of the Night, give way that blinded eyes may see
Another day of black highway yet call me to the sea.

Lay me a vision, foul and deep, within tormented dreams,
If but a promise I can't keep along the way, it seems.
As castles fall, as Passion yields, as storms cry from the East:
Arisen from her fallen fields, that yet unconquered Beast!

Shall I take stand on Virtue? - Shall I raise this shield in Jest?
With nothing left to offer, shall I offer you protest?
No, lay my sword to ocean swells, I've nowhere left to roam.
Just cut these eyes cold from the cells before you guide me home ...

...To walk the wasted wilderness of Man and Bird and Beast,
And peer into the holocaust of Life and Dream deceased!
...To ponder aimlessly the hopes and hierarchy of prayer,
While counting countless falters on your altars of Despair!

By feather or by talon or by claws as sharp as wit,
What game is there, left you and I, I have not yet forfeit?
What riddle stands that I must fall in rhymes of bated breath?
IF first, if last, still before all, what sacrament in Death?

Michael Anderson




[This message has been edited by Michael (edited 08-27-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved
Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
1 posted 2000-08-25 01:08 PM


Michael,
You have treated these eyes to a feast today and after a long long while... The wait has been worth it O master of darkness...

What imagery! What poetry...

WONDERFUL....

regards,
sudhir

Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

2 posted 2000-08-25 01:19 PM


Michael, is that really you? I am smiling! I haven't words enough to tell you how MUCH I enjoyed reading this macabre masterpiece. Lovely writing, yours, and how I have missed it. Please share more?  

"With nothing left to offer, shall I offer you protest?"  ~~ loved that.

~ Claire


Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?......Henry David Thoreau


Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

3 posted 2000-08-25 01:22 PM


I walk the blackened highway, as Orion claims the skies,
Unfolding as a tempest ‘fore these worn and weary eyes;
While Darkness points the finger to a numbing in my chest -
While woe and wrong subdue the song of Life's long, futile quest.

Awakened to a wilderness of dying desert sand,
I sift the dreams, as if ashes, with cold and calloused hand.
I bite the palm to suck the blood, then peel the tainted skin,
To taste, in haste, the barren waste of antiquated sin ...

...As Thunder, rent asunder, shreds all threads of living Light!
...As rain becomes the pain of day wrapped well into the Night!
...As if the crown, yet held on high, though worn by King and Clown
Would stem in whole one hell-wrought soul to ever weigh me down!
======================
Shall I take stand on Virtue? - Shall I raise this shield in Jest?
With nothing left to offer, shall I offer you protest?
No, lay my sword to oceans swells, I've nowhere left to roam.
Just cut these eyes cold form the cells before you guide me home ...

...To walk the wasted wilderness of Man and Bird and Beast,
And peer into the holocaust of Life and Dream deceased!
...To ponder aimlessly the hopes and hierarchy of prayer,
While counting countless falters on your altars of Despair!

By feather or by talon or by claws as sharp as wit,
What game is there, left you and I, I have not yet forfeit?
What riddle stands that I must fall in rhymes of bated breath?
IF first, if last, still before all, what sacrament in Death?

=======================

damn.....just damn..(with awe)

well...they say timing is everything ...
and today holds true...
as Im e-ing ya...your posting ...
poetic timing for sure..
i was hoping for one of these before I go...
thank you  

this poem is amazing....as is the poet
no body does it like you M,...no body could.
take care my friend...
jm


There are places inside our souls -
that have never been touched.
There are places inside our hearts -
that need to be loved this much.
~jm~


jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
4 posted 2000-08-25 02:14 PM


Extremely good read my friend, from top to bottom it carried me though.  Well done.

jwesley

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

5 posted 2000-08-25 05:00 PM


Hey you!!!  What an incredible read...we've all missed you so much, the forum is not the same without you...please take care of you and get settled soon...would love to read more of this!!!
Local Rebel
Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767
Southern Abstentia
6 posted 2000-08-25 05:07 PM


Still the master of the apocryphal manifesto.... extreme drama here micheal... good to read you...

haven't crossed paths with you for some time... kudos man

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
7 posted 2000-08-25 06:25 PM


Nice to see you here sir! You are by far one of the best poets here! I enjoyed this tale very much.    
Chanson
Senior Member
since 2000-08-19
Posts 1559
Up Creek w/Out Paddle
8 posted 2000-08-25 06:43 PM


Michael, I am so impressed with your poem. The exceptional flow of words is something I'd like to aspire to. I await anxiously to read more of your fine work...chanson~
Mona Lisa
Member
since 1999-08-25
Posts 100
Halifax, Nova Scotia
9 posted 2000-08-25 07:06 PM


I found this piece of poetry to be simply...spectacular.

Wonderful indeed.  Keep up the good work.

Andrew Scott
Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558
Redlands,CA,USA
10 posted 2000-08-25 07:28 PM


How very deep and dark your tale Sir Michael... a terrific read... I bow to you and yours with pen raised high.
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

11 posted 2000-08-25 09:24 PM


Excellent, excellent, excellent! I've missed you around here, Michael!

Denise

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
12 posted 2000-08-25 10:47 PM


A site for sore eyes! So glad to see back around!! Excellence as usual! You'll have to bring me up to flow on your new home  
HUGS

Skyfyre
Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap
13 posted 2000-08-26 09:18 PM


My love, this is simply breathtaking from start to finish.  I'd have to write a novel in order to properly analyze it and sing its praises ... so we'll go over that on our own time *wink*

This needs to stay at the top for a while, I think ...

--Me


YOUR LIFE IS A TEST

It is only a test ...

If this were your Actual Life, you would have been given better instructions!


Tennessee Angel
Senior Member
since 2000-06-03
Posts 661
Tennessee
14 posted 2000-08-26 09:22 PM


Wow!!  This is absolutely awesome!  If I could come up with half the verses you have written here, I would die a happy poet.  Could I borrow your muse for just a teeny, tiny while...please!     Excellent.

--You can either take me as I am...or you can watch me as I go.--

Elizabeth
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871
Minnesota
15 posted 2000-08-26 09:47 PM


I liked this a lot--it was intense.

Elizabeth


Why ME???

Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
16 posted 2000-08-26 09:56 PM


"Shall I take stand on Virtue? - Shall I raise this shield in Jest?
With nothing left to offer, shall I offer you protest?"

"...To ponder aimlessly the hopes and hierarchy of prayer,
While counting countless falters on your altars of Despair!"

What a treat to read you again Michael! Masterfully crafted, with incredible form and content ... a dark and powerfully written gem!  

Best wishes,
/Kit

Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
17 posted 2000-08-26 10:46 PM


Sudhir, It has been awhile, hasn't it - sure is good to be home.     TY

Claire, yep - it's really me... Missed ya!  Will share more asap - promise.  

Janet - glad I made it back at least in time to say goodbye.  Will miss ya dear - take care.  

jwesley, glad you enjoyed...

serenity - will have more soon, but I must say I wish I would have made your deserted island list     LOL

Local Rebel, good to see (hear) you again as well my friend.  It has been too long.  

Sharon, ty from the bottom of my heart.  

chansondegeste, glad to meet you - I don't write as often as I used to but I will try to get something more posted soon...

Mona Lisa, ty so much...

Andrew, thank you, your compliment means much to me...

Denise & Rebecca, good to be back - I've missed you both dearly...

Kess, have all the time in the worlld for you - smooches...  

Tennessee Angel, my muse seems to be of the "hit and run" nature of late - if you can find her - you can have her... LOL  Thanks for the compliment - love your signature, btw.

Elizabeth, yep, but it was fun to write, too.

Kit, good to see you again, glad you enjoyed the poem...


Thank you all for the kind words...


Michael


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