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Open Poetry #11
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brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland

0 posted 2000-12-31 11:51 AM


Was posted in Crit recently but has been reworked a few times.
=======================================

         1

I used to hide from
its awry gaze,
and
deny myself  the comfort
of skin
worn as an ill fitting duffel coat.
Not now as
I ponder identity
and domino philosophy
in full presence of
the looking glass stage

Though I must confess
to Alice syndrome,
for I am a spectator
to topsy turvy reality.
With each question resolved
I am left with three unsolved.  
Constantly I chase my
chase my tail,
waiting
for the white hares
of insanity to crown me,
and proclaim me
Confucius sporting stigmata scars,
bandaged in swabs of vinegar.
  
         2

My skins, my fears
my everything
clutter my vision
like trash not worthy
of a junk yard sale,
.yet I live each day
in  self prostitution,
on my knees
eager to please
every request.  
People look straight at me
seeing only
through tainted perception,
an out of focus reception.

I am the only one
who dared
looked inside of me.  
So deep
my eyes now ache,
I fear
they will explode
at their sockets
like omelette volcanoes.  
My mirror reflection is
an obsession
and I am its one fixation.
Two shades peer
intensely at the other
and see nothing
not
even a ghost
a myth
or fabrication.  

      3

it is all just murky water,
a mask of sickly browns,
reflecting distortions
of knowledge already acquired.
Anything new is revealed
only in Braille; meaningless dots
you have to be blind to read. Oh the irony.  
To evolve I have to
dare to place my fingers
into the shadows.
Is that why I was given ten digits?
Ten mistakes to be made,
then what, be fingerless
after stumbling across
crocodiles and mousetraps?

Too unanchored that my bed
is the only safe zone,
so I slip into a dream where
God is still unknown,
and the Universe so small
that those who see it
can perfectly understand.

< !signature-->

It's in your eyes a fire that's wild and glorious
Unhibited, unfinished in everything I do Let the morning rise like our hearts desire" whipping boy


[This message has been edited by brian madden (edited 12-31-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 brian madden - All Rights Reserved
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

1 posted 2000-12-31 11:55 AM


This is some serious introspection, Brian. Very well expressed. Fabulous writing, as always!

Denise

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
2 posted 2000-12-31 11:55 AM


Quick pinch yourself.  This was excellent "Sir Brian".  Nice to see you back in here posting.  This one sounds as if you know yourself about as well as I know myself.....or maybe it is that I just don't want to know me.  
2dalimit
Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228
Mississippi coast
3 posted 2000-12-31 12:04 PM


Very profound. Good read.
Melton

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
4 posted 2000-12-31 12:14 PM


Deep look inwards Brian.... this is quite the examination of your thoughts and feelings. I enjoyed the read very much and I have to admit that it takes a lot of guts to look at oneself with a critical eye.....I have some advice.....stay away from crocodiles and mousetraps because, without fingers you won't be able to write these beautiful reflections down for all to read and that would be sad!
Mother_Earth
Senior Member
since 2000-11-20
Posts 1370
1/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan
5 posted 2000-12-31 12:43 PM


Brian, you have gone deep into the unknown, a mind!  I like it and will look for more.  Love and hugs and Happy New Year  
            ME

SpitFire
Member Elite
since 2000-04-19
Posts 2396

6 posted 2000-12-31 02:05 PM


~I have missed your thoughts. Incredibly interesting, completely captivating and worth EVERY second! I WILL be back. Every word is inside of me. *Peace you.


doreen peri
Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812
Virginia
7 posted 2000-12-31 02:16 PM


ok, bear with me here, brian... i'm awestruck... this piece ROCKS!!!!! here are some of the lines which really struck me hard (it all did, really)

quote:
With each question resolved
I am left with three unsolved.  


Confucius sporting stigmata scars,
bandaged in swabs of vinegar.

People look straight at me
seeing only
through tainted perception,
an out of focus reception.

Two shades peer
intensely at the other
and see nothing
not
even a ghost
a myth
or fabrication.  

Anything new is revealed
only in Braille; meaningless dots
you have to be blind to read. Oh the irony. 

so I slip into a dream where
God is still unknown,
and the Universe so small
that those who see it
can perfectly understand.



SIGH... sigh.... SIGH....

brian... you've outdone yourself... i mean, this is sofa king good!!!!!!!... er... um... hehe... *grin... it IS!!!!

i am honored to read you.......

(i don't go to CA much so missed all the earlier revisions.... don't change anything else, ok?)

catalinamoon
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543
The Shores of Alone
8 posted 2000-12-31 04:33 PM


Brian, this is incredible. I have had so many of these thoughts, so many unresolved questions, but you have given it some logic in a way.
Just wonderful, deep, involved, complex writing, as always.
Sandra

Tiersdin
Member Elite
since 2000-11-17
Posts 2364
east coast
9 posted 2000-12-31 04:41 PM


This amazing! The writing was superb and the bravery to post your inner most thoughts is to be commended!

thank you!

-Tier

Lady Lightning
Member
since 2000-12-04
Posts 422
Kentucky
10 posted 2000-12-31 04:42 PM


I don't have the words to tell you how I felt when I read this...I'm still not sure what I feel and I've been back 3 times to read it ..To look inside oneself, is a sometimes scary thing..So many don't like what they see...I'm rambling...hehe..So I'll just say I really liked this .much...and go on my way...   ~LL~

The way to love anything is to realize it might be lost. author unknown

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

11 posted 2000-12-31 05:33 PM


My skins, my fears
my everything
clutter my vision
like trash not worthy
of a junk yard sale,
.yet I live each day
in  self prostitution,
on my knees
eager to please
every request.  
People look straight at me
seeing only
through tainted perception,
an out of focus reception.
===================
Anything new is revealed
only in Braille; meaningless dots
you have to be blind to read. Oh the irony.  
To evolve I have to
dare to place my fingers
into the shadows.
Is that why I was given ten digits?
Ten mistakes to be made,
then what, be fingerless
after stumbling across
crocodiles and mousetraps?

Too unanchored that my bed
is the only safe zone,
so I slip into a dream where
God is still unknown,
and the Universe so small
that those who see it
can perfectly understand.
==================

"Who are you?" ...
you are Bri-gator ...poetic prophet
and you rock.
and now I need to write the word DEEP ... cuz baby this is ... and you are.
awesome Bri
love ya
eve

Some people find subtlety in strangers
if you find anything~let me in
Your eyes~you see everything
my eyes~I see it all together now~and I know

BloomingRose
Member Elite
since 2000-08-09
Posts 3092
Florida
12 posted 2000-12-31 11:01 PM


Interesting, although I am not sure what it all means. However you seem to know...
it's one of those good poems that makes one think.
Deb  

brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
13 posted 2001-01-05 03:39 PM


Denise, just me brooding again. Thnk you for your very generous reply.

Mark, thank you for your very kind words, I am know myself as a complete enigma, but I would not have it any other way.

Melton, thanks.

ethome, "guts", no but I am always looking for the truth, for the reason especially within myself. I will try to avoid the corcs and mice traps, thanks for your very very generous response.

ME, happy new year and thank you.  

Spit, wow thank you those words mean a lot to me, thanks,

doreen, thanks for the "ROCKS" you have me blushing now.

Sandra, I think we all share the common bound of knowing ourselves as well as we can but still being strangers to ourselves.. if that makes sense. thank you for your reply.

Tier, poetry is an exploration of inner thoughts, and they are not my inner most thoughts. lol, I don't know if I could post some of them here. Thank you.

LL~, thanks for reading and replying, what you said was beautiful and means alot to me.

eve, oh... the deep word, what have I done to deserve this. just being myself, thank you my friend for your thoughts, friendship and words of support and for your beautiful poetry.

Deb, in truth either am I, just a bit of soul searching I guess. thanks for reading and replying.



It's in your eyes a fire that's wild and glorious
Unhibited, unfinished in everything I do Let the morning rise like our hearts desire" whipping boy

Startime
Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918
Canada
14 posted 2001-01-05 04:25 PM


Well, dear one, soul seaching looks very well on you if this beautiful poem is an example. Wonderful work that made me do some soul searching of my own. Much love and hugs to you from me.

Love I leave with you my friend whether it be in your life or of yet the essense of your dreams.
http://www.voy.com/7622/
http://www.powerpoems.com

kaile
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Ascendant
since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146
singapore
15 posted 2001-01-05 08:11 PM


oh, brian, i can honestly say that i have not gone as far to print out any poems in my stay here..

i am going to make an exception for this one...may i??

i may sound like a blabbering childish kid but i love it i love it i love it....

it amazes me that what with your thoughts so deep and profound, the flow of the poem is still so smooth...

okay, i stop gushing

Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136
Mobile, AL
16 posted 2001-01-05 08:15 PM


What an excellent trip into yourself. In writing this, now you aren't the only one looking deep within you. I enjoyed this work and all its power.  

Can I be your willful breeze,
Come to touch,
Your heart to ease?


brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
17 posted 2001-01-06 03:20 PM


Startime, thank you for your wonderful reply, I ma blushing. those words mean  a lot to me. thank you again.

kaile, I am seriously blushing. It is a great honour that you wouyld print out my poem, feel free to print off any of them. Thank you for your very very generous words, my ego just went supernova

Temptress, thank you from the bottom of my heart.



There's a feeling of contentment Now that you are here I feel satisfied I belong
inside Your velvet heaven" Depeche mode

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