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Open Poetry #7
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I am (challenge poem)
| Open Poetry #7 |
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I am (challenge poem) |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap 
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I am ... A woman With a full heart, hidden Somewhere in an empty room ... With eyes not quite of autumn’s gold, and yet Neither all of summer’s green; I wonder ... If love is a tale made for children -- A granting of sweet dreams in their innocence -- A honey-coating to help their throats Choke down the bitter draught ... I hear ... A voice that whispers warnings, half-formed, Bodiless as hope, until I swear I cannot draw Another breath unless this spectre be unmasked, His lies mangled ‘neath my righteous tread; I see ... A woman, proud, uncompromising, Diaphonous as air -- less, even, than the tears That fall in desolation about her weary feet, Salt poison pooled upon the withered ground ... I want ... A measure of quietude, a certain silence, The echo of alone which heals me of dreaming, The nothing that stills the wanting, The numb, the cold that laughs at pain; I am A woman, hidden ... I pretend ... That I can live forever -- that Time Has no puissance but that which I afford Him -- And so, I can wait, I can be happy tomorrow, Sleep is for the dead; but its ghosts haunt my waking ... I feel ... Too much -- too deeply to be directionless, Too real for imagining, and yet the familiar eyes Hold nothing of recognition -- only my reflection -- A meeting of shadows in sunlit glass; I touch ... The downy wings of hope, in wonder, In reverence, in need, in hunger; Alas, it burns my fingers as a flame, A sacrelige, self-defined ... I worry ... That I am alone; that in my longing I have forsaken all -- but oh, what reward, What smile divine should light the path to freedom -- And how can I but heed the siren’s call? I cry ... For having too much, for fear of bursting, And then, when by the pouring of my soul I lie, a vessel emptied, I cry again For what was had, and lost; I am A woman, empty ... I understand That life is what you make it, That sometimes, the coat of many colors That marks your triumphs brightly, blends only To loneliest of grey ... I say That we are made by life, shaped, Broken, perhaps -- unmade and voided -- But always, the core of us remains, waiting With only faith, with trust, to be reborn; I dream Of bluest waters, reaching With unnatural hands toward the faded sky, Of dolphins that wander in seas without limits, Carrying me water-breathing past corals and clouds ... I try ... To lead by example, knowing That merely the telling holds no power; A gift of giving is merely a day, while A gift of knowing spans forever; I hope ... That my darkness holds you gently, That pain is halved by sharing, that feeling Wields nothing past the words it summons, Except that it touch you with only healing ... I am A woman, only. < !signature--> Full fathom five thy father lies, Of his bones are coral made, Those are pearls that were his eyes; Nothing of him that doth fade But doth suffer a sea-change Into something rich and strange... --William Shakespeare, from The Tempest [This message has been edited by Skyfyre (edited 04-30-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Linda Anderson - All Rights Reserved | |||
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netswan Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369Washington |
Skyfyre this is truly lovely ---- Thanks so much for sharing. You have a lot of talent. Keep on writing. netswan |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
*SIGH* oh man... Im feeling that ole poets envy again... I have come to expect it when I click on one of your poems ... Im acutally getting use to it LOL  seriously though this is ~exceptional~... I love the way you enhanced the format of the poem... perfection once again...from your poets pen. ~as always, Take Care,JM~ -------------- I know it's been a long road To get these towns behind me and I Will gladly reap what we may sow-- I am there for you ... and you're there for me ... Are you waiting for Heart in hand Woman and man See me where I stand I am Heart Heart in hand ~vertical horizon~ |
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jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Kess: This is good (albeit tragically sad) stuff, Kess. The sadness and despair in this poem is palpable and the last lines wrap it up perfectly. I sincerely hope this isn't autobiographic. Surely it isn't because there is no mention of the woman in the poem being able to think in iambic pentameter and having been the only known person in history to write two double-sestinas (Swinburne wrote only one). Great work, Kess. Thank you. Jim |
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Alicat Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094Coastal Texas |
Skyfyre...I am frankly amazed. Yes, this challenge was used as an icebreaker, a get-to-know-you-better, when first introduced by XAngel. Your response is breath-taking....it gave me chills to read, over and over. Whoa....thank you for not only accepting the challenge, but for answering it so magnificiently. Alicat |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
You are.....definitely a marvelous poet! This is a challenge well and truly met.... |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
Kess, your gifts and talents shine in this one. . .I too, hope that this isn't your life right now. . . you have too much to offer the world. . . This was a marvelous answer to this challenge and just again amazes me with your gift for language and form. Superb, my friend. . . --------------------------------------------------------------- That which gives light must endure burning --Victor Frankl |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
And an amazing woman you are Kess. This is very powerful and yet displays a vulnerability. Very well written piece. Michael |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
Standing to Applaud!!!!Kess... This is absolutely superior writing! I love it love it love it love it... your imagery, your verbiage, your depth of emotion, the allusions & illusions and reality of it all... it is one of the best pieces I have ever seen posted here at passions and I am absolutely in awe of it! I wish I wrote this... Excellent work, m'friend! -doreen |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Ah, yes... The ultimate compliment - and from Doreen, it packs an extra punch... OK - I wish I wrote it too.. Simply awesome, my friend..  |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Uh, you know I actually commented on this poem before I read the challenge behind it... Kess, let me just add this, you rock!!! Michael |
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Brandyn Sand Member
since 2000-04-21
Posts 82Columbia, SC |
There are no words... *S* (still numb from the power contained herein) "Fabulous," though, may come close. |
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ESP Member Elite
since 2000-01-25
Posts 2556Floating gently on a cloud.... |
*APPLAUSE*!!!! I am at a loss of words here....this is an amazing poem! Love and hugs, Lizzie  "Poetry is the true expression of my soul, it is my ultimate means of communication. It is my rainbow of delight." |
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Aimster Member Elite
since 2000-02-19
Posts 4297Charlotte, NC |
*gathering her thoughts together to try and give you a decent reply* First of all this was absolutely stunning!!! I dont think I have ever read a piece that left me feeling so much at one time. The imagery, the use of language was extrodinary. I stand in complete awe of you. Thank you ever so much for sharing so much of how you are/were with us. This was hauntingly sad a little, and spoke from such a deep place that I know that even if this was written about the past....it still effects you very much today! Take care! ~Amy~ ~Live today as though it were your last but prepare for tomorrow as though it were here~ |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Hey you... how does one respond? This is such an outpouring of emotion and strength through sadness, that I find myself at a loss yet again to explain the depths to which you touch me. "I hear ... A voice that whispers warnings, half-formed," Half formed, but oh so powerful. "swear I cannot draw Another breath unless this spectre be unmasked," THIS, is beautiful> it breathes passion into a life of anticipation! I suppose I could say something about every line, but since you;ve already penned it so eloquently, I'll leave be. Let me just say in closing, that a better piece of free verse I've rarely seen. You've managed to match a form with a feeling and words with your heart. Bravo m'friend, well done, well done indeed! |
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David2 Member
since 2000-03-22
Posts 407 |
Skyfyre, You write so beautifully, you are very gifted. The words you put to paper have a lyrical , mystical quality. I loved this work. I enjoy all your work. Please keep submitting. David2 |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
Whew! I'm finally back to thank everyone ... netswan: Thank you for the compliment -- I don't know about the talent part, but I promise to keep writing ... J.M: Your poet envy continues to be a flattery beyond words -- thanks for reading ... Jim: This was written from what I was feeling at the moment, but I wouldn't exactly call it autobiographical -- I originally intended it to be a simple thing, as the challenge was written -- it just GREW! Thanks for stopping by ... Alicat: Thank you for the challenge -- I suspect this needed to come out, and you provided the perfect impetus ... PdV, Sven: Thanks for the praise -- I'll pay you later as we arranged ... LOL Michael: I almost blushed ... LOL doreen: When I first read your reply to this, I just sort of stared at the screen for a few minutes saying "wow." I have a great deal of respect for your poetry and skill, and so to have you hand me such a generous compliment is truly gratifying. Thank you so much for taking the time to read ...  Nan: Your compliments would be much better dlivered, I think, in the absence of the "smart asterisk" emoticon -- LOL My thanks nonetheless ... Michael: (again) Thanks, I try. LOL Brandyn: "fabulous," I think, might be too strong a word -- but I'm not arguing ... Lizzie: A bow just for you, hun -- thanks. Aimster: Your reply was more than decent, and your compliment well-received. Thank you kindly, madam ... Christopher: I am ... well, thank you, m'friend, not really sure what to say past that. David2: Thank you for reading and for your kind reply -- I plan to keep writing as long as you keep reading! Thank you all again, --Kess |
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kaile
since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146singapore |
Skyfyre,nothing i say can ever compare to the generous compliments you have already received....this poem is packed with thought-provoking interesting lines and they tell so much of you as a person...I definitely request you to post this in the VoW so that it will be well deservingly represented in the book thanx for a most fascinating read |
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