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Open Poetry #8
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serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738


0 posted 2000-06-11 06:14 PM


Yellowed, as an ancient scroll,
I marveled at its weightlessness.
Breaks in creases at the fold,
I sneaked a peek with thief's finesse.

     Superbowl.
     Monday, after,
     my home in disarray...
     Aftermath
     war of good cheer
     ashtrays overflowed
     to spillage.
     Crumbled napkins,
     bowl of chips,
     Ick.
     Yep, that IS the dip,
     growing butt of cigarette--
     I grimaced.
     Tossed it in the can.

     On my couch,
     A guest, undone.
     Unbelted,
     fly down to his crotch,
     exposing
     swollen hairy belly
     of man
     accustomed to imbibe.
     Shirt buttoned wrong,
     lips white at edge.
     scaled powder
     remnant of drunken drool--
     mumbling words from drunk man's head...
     I found a sheet to cover him,
     and knew it was for me instead.

     On his back
     his hand outstretched,
     fingers curled,
     he seemed to point--
     my gaze followed his direct,
     and found his beer
     close at hand,
     now warm, and almost full...
     With a snap of sheet unfold,
     my gaze fell to meet the floor.
     There at my feet
     I found the note--
     parchment, really,
     in old age...

     The script was neat,
     rounded--fancy--
     penned by a 'girly-girl'.
     My eyes darted to the signature,
     as quick as can be said,
     "Don't look."
     I swooned with recognition.
     I knew this girl quite well.
     I knew that she was but thirteen...
     Hypnotized, I had to read...

And no, I will not
share it now,
the things his daughter said.
A sacrilege
for me to read
words from girl fifteen years dead.

But know she wrote
"I love you, Dad!"
(tiny heart for exclamation's dot...)
"I'm sorry, Mom."
was her post script

Dad's pistol fired its last shot.

Oh remorse!  Understanding,
of heart arriving minute late...
I placed his treasure,
back on the floor,
my back bent beneath its weight.
    
    


[This message has been edited by serenity (edited 06-11-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 serenity blaze - All Rights Reserved
Lone Wolf
Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842
Lansing, MI USA
1 posted 2000-06-11 07:56 PM


serenity,

Oh how truly sad this one is.  Looks as though he never got over it.  It is a shame they were too late.  Perhaps he never forgave himself for it?  Not sure.  Powerful poem.  Very nice work.

Lone Wolf


 Friends are friend forever if the Lord's the Lord of them and a friend will not say never cause the welcome will not end.
--Michael W. Smith

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

2 posted 2000-06-11 11:40 PM


Thank you, Lone Wolf--for taking the time to read and reply...much appreciated....was rather long and a difficult subject as well...you have me gratitude...
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

3 posted 2000-06-12 07:54 AM


I have no words ...
me thinks none are needed ...
me loves ya, truly
jm

 And it's good that I'm not angry,
I just need to get over,
I'm not angry, anymore
Cry when you cry,
run when you run,
love when you love,
represent the ashes
that you leave behind
~MB20~

"What the caterpillar calls the end ...
The world calls a butterfly"
~Lao Tze Tao~
~Butterflies are meant to be free~



Effigy
Member
since 2000-04-11
Posts 486
disbelief
4 posted 2000-06-12 10:32 AM


Well that was sad. Very well done though. I enjoyed reading it.
JulieAnn
Senior Member
since 2000-06-12
Posts 754
Earth 3rd Rock from the sun!!
5 posted 2000-06-12 05:00 PM


I thought it was goignto be a sort of upbeat funny poem about the after amths of superbowl parties...I was quite taken aback towards the end....well done!!  
JulieAnn
Senior Member
since 2000-06-12
Posts 754
Earth 3rd Rock from the sun!!
6 posted 2000-06-12 05:02 PM


Sorry about the Typos....it is very early in the morning here where I am....
nando
Member
since 2000-06-09
Posts 87
Vaxjo, Smaland, Sweden
7 posted 2000-06-12 05:09 PM


Serenity...

This one strikes right into the soul of me...
Powerful poem that makes me think and wonder about the cruelty o´f life.
And the saying that time heals all wounds becomes doubtful reading this...

Thank you for sharing...

-nando-

 Ask me how to live your life, and this to you I´ll say: make your choises true and wise, so that when tomorrow will arise, you´ll smile at yesterday...

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

8 posted 2000-06-12 07:48 PM


Thanks to all.

Her name was Jennifer.
She took her life on Father's Day.
The autopsy revealed that she was 16 weeks into her pregnancy.
Her favorite color was lavender.

Rest in Peace, Jen.

redheart angrybraids
Member
since 2000-04-16
Posts 410
honolulu, hawaii
9 posted 2000-06-14 05:41 PM


i don't mean to bring this poem up if it is to arousing to the saddend soul, of which i now well enough of,
this is a really good peice of structured saddness and remorse. i could see the words reminiscing them selves.
kindly,
redheart angrybraids

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
10 posted 2000-06-14 07:43 PM


Oh you just jerked my heart out here and I'm mopping up my tears with it. Very very well done!
doreen peri
Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812
Virginia
11 posted 2000-06-27 07:16 PM


i saw a post of yours in the book forum... which led me here... this is an awesome piece... i'm going to read more of your writing... you have a talent for free verse which is very powerful.
thanks for the read.


Rex Allen McCoy
Member Elite
since 2000-01-30
Posts 2863
Sippin a Timmy's in London
12 posted 2000-06-27 10:17 PM


What a heart-aching read ... sorry I missed this while I was away
Please pass on my condolences

Sven
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA
13 posted 2000-06-28 12:35 PM


serenity. . .

there really are no words. . . superb telling. . . I know that this took a lot. . .

-----------------------------------------------------



That which gives light must endure burning
--Victor Frankl



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

14 posted 2000-06-28 01:34 AM


I wanted to thank everyone again, it's always a shock for me to see something from the "archives"--O I thank you much for that.

Most especially, redheart angrybraids, I vote for you just for the best name, and doreen, too, thank you...

You made me day...much gratitude....to ALL.

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