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Open Poetry #8
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Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2000-06-12 03:53 AM


The Box

What’s packed was packed and wrapped with care
The cartons stacked and tied with flair
And all were marked and labeled thus
So as to place them where we must

The art of moving in the veins
A practice yet I still complain
But when It’s through , oh the surprize
To know you were so organized

I can unpack and put away
A half a house in half a day
And leave behind a room that’s clean
And eat a sandwich in between

Someone was careless this time round
And left a box upon the ground
So clearly marked  and firmly tied
With "attic" written on the side

I have no attic in my home
Nor did my former small abode
So weary from a hectic day
I put the little box away

Then when I finally settled in
I thought to empty all  within
And put them somewhere out of sight
The very last deed of the night

But opening the carton lid
So neatly packed and firmy hid
There, remnants of the long ago
The things that no one else would know

There was a book of hand writ verse
The music scores I would rehearse
The letters from my family
Who sent their love across the sea

A diary of who I met
Photographs I would forget
A stack of letters in his hand
Of one who was the only man

I’d packed it up and put away
This cardboard box until this day
And then forgot that he was gone
So somehow I could then live on

A cardboard box of reminisce
For many years I didn't miss
The pain contained was packed inside
And labeled "Attic" on the side

Now opened is this secret box
Pandora tearfully unlocks
A carton filled with love and tears
To be unwrapped for many tears

Elizabeth Santos


[This message has been edited by Elizabeth Santos (edited 06-12-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Elizabeth Santos - All Rights Reserved
Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
1 posted 2000-06-12 04:06 AM


Liz,
I just read another of your poems before this and I already have another one to read... this is so beautiful...

I am developing a feeling that the box is a chapter from the book of life lived thus far...Moving symbolises the act of moving on with life from one phase to another, from one stage to another, and the one in the attic, is that chapter, one tries to hide away in a distant corner, to be opened up when the right time comes, and then the emotions attached to that chapter flows in form of glee and or tears...

have I understood this one right?
Or maybe, I simply associate things differently. Anyway, this was a nice poem, another thought-provoking one...

Many regards, sudhir.

 My heart is pounding, my stomach's inside out
I'm feeling kind-a-shaky, my mind is full of doubt
All I ever think about, is fearing fear itself,
Wish I could unscrew my head and put it on the shelf
Everything is twisted, everything is oh so tight,
Don't know what I'm looking at, the lights are all too bright
My brain's about to crumble, spill out on the floor
Sweep 'em up. Throw 'em away, don't want 'em anymore
Clouds race across the sky, day turns into night,
Still there are the questions, no answers in sight
Everything is twisted, everything is oh so tight,
Starin' out the window, everything is just too bright
Brain's about to crumble, spill out on the floor,
Wish I could unscrew my head, and kick it out the door...
You know I'm feeling kind-a....Strange
You know I'm feeling kind-a....Strange

~ Strange ~ Joe Satriani (Flying in a Blue Dream)

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
2 posted 2000-06-12 04:15 AM


Sudhir, You read me well
There was no move
Only a reconciliation with the past
And pain that only Pandora could release
Sometimes that can take a lifetime, and then many years to empty the box
Very wise, you are
I think only you would have read the truth into this poem
Thank you
lIz

Trew
Member
since 2000-06-10
Posts 365
Ottawa, Canada
3 posted 2000-06-12 04:16 AM


You know, it's people like you who prevent my work from getting done at night! lol!
That was a captivating poem.  Everything else just sort of faded away and there I was.  I could almost smell the mould on the photos.

Humbly,

Trew.

 I have been to see the world. Tasted life at every turn.
And all the time your face came back to haunt me.
-Chris DeBurgh

tracie66
Member Elite
since 2000-01-18
Posts 4713
Australia
4 posted 2000-06-12 05:52 AM


Liz
Very visual this peom of yours, many things they come and go and time passes way too quickly and sometimes we don't have the time even to stop and recollect.
You have unpacked a huge amount of emotions and memories...I loved this Liz
Tracie~

 Love is the life of the soul...
It is the harmony of the universe



Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
5 posted 2000-06-12 06:10 AM


Oh Liz ... another that I relate so well to!  Absolutely and completely beautiful. In reality, I actually did move just recently, and packed about 4 different boxes labelled "Fragile - Kit's Treasures" ... and in these are packed so many of the things you described! Thank you for such a wonderful poem!

Best wishes,
/Kit

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
6 posted 2000-06-12 06:42 AM


Elizabeth, my friend~
Beautifully done, dear.
The 'attic' of our mind contains
many boxes of our treasured memories.
Moving on or moving beyond ...
we always sift through the memories
hoping to find ourselves.
Love you~
~*Marge*~


 ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com


sarahC
Member
since 2000-06-07
Posts 84
Michigan
7 posted 2000-06-12 07:31 AM


This was the must heart felt poem I have read in a very long time..we all have our little box wether it be real or symbolic...we all have it hidden away to open someday....Good work I am definitely going to keep my eyes open for more of yours you have given me inspiration.....
First__Knight
Senior Member
since 1999-11-08
Posts 678

8 posted 2000-06-12 09:55 AM


Your words leave nothing unturned.....Your use is flawless and your poems are truly works to be admired.  This with its meaning falls not short Liz........and I know there was no move.....But I have always said.  The only thing worst than moving.....Is moving someone else.....hehe  

 It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.


Witch's Brat
Member
since 1999-09-17
Posts 100

9 posted 2000-06-12 11:57 AM


Bravo Elizabeth...what a metaphor!

WB


 I am a disturbed person, and I write about disturbed people. ~Tennessee Williams

pandora
Member
since 1999-07-26
Posts 184

10 posted 2000-06-12 01:09 PM


I warned you about opening my box. But would you listen?  

lovely verse, Elizabeth.... the depth of life and time gone by wrapped up in a box and a poem by a fine poet.

well done

RainbowGirl
Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023
United Kingdom
11 posted 2000-06-12 06:14 PM


I knew I'd love this just by the title alone and it just got better...

so many boxes we have, some with labels, some without but each, without doubt has memories, the label matters not one jot...we are a memory, to anyone that ever met us and we'll continue to be one for all time and Amen to that...thank you..

HUSG

Eloise
Senior Member
since 1999-11-27
Posts 1096
Wyoming
12 posted 2000-06-12 06:23 PM


Oh wow!  This is so beautiful.  And no one can take the memories away.  Another keeper Liz.  
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

13 posted 2000-06-12 09:38 PM


This one brought me to tears too, Elizabeth. This really tugged on my heart! Very beautifully done.

Denise

Gemini
Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203
Wisconsin, USA
14 posted 2000-06-12 10:07 PM


Liz: Those "attic" memories exist for me too.  Sometimes they tug at the heartstrings.
A very beautiful piece, very well written.

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
15 posted 2000-06-12 11:21 PM


I knew that when this box's lid was opened, it would reveal some wonderful surprises... you never fail to amaze ALL of us, Elizabeth.  Thank you.

 Sunshine

~~~Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.
Helen Keller ~~~


Butterflies_dont_cry
Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733
Michigan
16 posted 2000-06-12 11:27 PM


Liz no one can do this like you can, what a beautiful poem with so much heart in each line, I was holding my breath to see what was in that box   Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us~
Mike
Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462

17 posted 2000-06-12 11:37 PM


Beautifully written. One of my favorites of your poems if that is possible to do... to find one better than another.
Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
18 posted 2000-06-13 06:03 PM


Thank you all for your very interesting responses to this poem. I'm glad so many could relate to it. I appreciate the comments
Thanks
Liz

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