navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #7 » Out of the Ashes
Open Poetry #7
Post A Reply Post New Topic Out of the Ashes Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California

0 posted 2000-06-09 07:34 PM



Out of the Ashes

From the ashes of the past
the breeze has blown around
unearthed a smoldering shadow
still locked within the ground

A life that has been haunted
with casual colored mood
until the burning look back
at the hurt he understood

He wrote of love not ended
but sweet and lasting still
and he knew the pain he’d caused me
all the years it took to heal

He shouldered all the blaming
then on top he told me true
that his life had come full circle
and his words were I love you

Liquor had been his mistress
she slept with him each night
and curled him softly in her charm
and eased life’s bitter bite

His life with me and our three kids
was lost in hazy beam
from the bottle that lay beside him
and for it he sold his dream

Now years and time have trickled
and poor health opened his eyes
and he sees all that he was lacking
with his drunken man disguise

The first time I’ve believed him
in all the years we’d had
was the day I read his letter
telling tears that he now sheds

I could not say I hate him
for this I never could
I saw his bitter spirit
and I thought I understood

The tears I shed in reading
what so many years concealed
were because this man has learned from
the mistakes that he revealed

My respect that slowly died then
so many years before
was reborn in the telling
of how he opened up truth’s door

© Copyright 2000 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved
brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
1 posted 2000-06-09 07:55 PM


Martie, thanks for sharing the poem. Alcohol
can really drown a person. A powerful poem,
excellent as always.  Thanks again for sharing.

 ------------------------
"I've been too honest with myself I should have lied like everybody else"-Richey Edwards

"Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time".

Baltimore Grotto

"Libraries gave us power
Then work came and made us free
What price now for a shallow piece of dignity"
Nicky Wire, A design for Life.

manic street preachers
"Rock 'n' roll is our epiphany
Culture, alienation, boredom and despair"

"To be nobody-but-yourself-in a world which is doing its best night and day, to make you everybody else - means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting."

E.E Cummings.



Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
2 posted 2000-06-09 09:25 PM


Good story and good writing, Martie.....and all this time I thought you two were happy  


Doesn't it frost your cookies when people take your poems literally? hehe

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
3 posted 2000-06-09 09:32 PM


brian--thank you for reading and for your comments.  I appreciate it.

Balladeer--thought I had better reply and let everyone know this is my X husband I am referring to, not my present....who is so lovely and has been for 20 years...

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
4 posted 2000-06-10 07:17 AM


Martie~
This is a poignant piece that carries the message of forgiveness after so many years.
I'm glad that you received the letter that released the forgiving spirit for his actions.

LOL at Balladeer - 'Doesn't it frost your cookies when people take your poems literally?'

Love ya'
~*Marge*~



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


Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #7 » Out of the Ashes

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary