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Open Poetry #13
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Martie
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since 1999-09-21
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California

0 posted 2001-04-04 12:25 PM



   The Haunting Book

Memories ignite,  as I open a worn book
covered with dust.

Just a book, my fears,
which hid in it so many years ago,
certainly not something that happened
in this cloistered place
where children danced.

Just a book of pictures.

Its story is old,
I can tell by the black and whites
and the pages full of the
cunning cruelty of secrets
that feel like dead skin.

Only pages, I think to myself,  
and turn them one by one.

I see how someone has taken a brush of color
and blushed cheeks and lips.
The eyes brown that were blue,
blue as the starch
that stiffened his collars.
The truth was
also painted over.

I know this now.

I close the book,
the dust, falling around me.

Where does his despair sleep
after it has stolen innocence?

Perhaps his heart cannot feel the anguish
that mine has come to know.

Mine will sleep locked in this book of time
that I now toss upon the fireplace embers.

© Copyright 2001 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved
Packratmike
Senior Member
since 2001-02-25
Posts 632
California, USA
1 posted 2001-04-04 12:58 PM


Wow, Martie!  What an emotionally packed piece you've written here. Felt like I was looking over your shoulder as you turned the dusty pages.
Excellent!!!

Mike

Mysteria
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since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
2 posted 2001-04-04 12:59 PM


Oh Martie, what a heartfelt read this was, and having had a scrapbook just like that, the fire is the best place for it.  How does his despair sleep indeed!  So very well done Martie.

[This message has been edited by Mysteria (edited 04-04-2001).]

Balladeer
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Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
3 posted 2001-04-04 01:09 AM


Geesh, Martie! How do you do that so well?? You make the reader so painfully aware of what you are saying without saying it,,,or by saying it so well...this is very powerful!
Sudhir Iyer
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since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
4 posted 2001-04-04 03:36 AM


I second Balladeer on that ...

Powerful... emotive... and vividly painted...

in other words
excellent...

Regards to you, Martie,
Sudhir

Auguste
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since 2000-02-16
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By the sea
5 posted 2001-04-04 03:43 AM


Martie,

There is great power in this piece, my precious friend.  I found it very moving.  I felt the pain, the anger, the sense of moving on and putting the past behind you.  You've done well with this and I give you not only my hand, but my hug.  I'm very proud of you.

((((((you))))))

Michael

Proust-
"Love is space and time measured by the heart"

Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

6 posted 2001-04-04 04:32 AM


Its story is old,
I can tell by the black and whites
and the pages full of the
cunning cruelty of secrets
that feel like dead skin.

You my friend - are a true artist of words...

K

suthern
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since 1999-07-29
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Louisiana
7 posted 2001-04-04 12:22 PM


This is gut wrenching, heart breaking perfection! If only burning the book erased the memories!

Where does his despair sleep
after it has stolen innocence?

In the depths of hell, giving worms indigestion... or so we can hope. *S* Excellent work!

Auguste
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By the sea
8 posted 2001-04-04 04:30 PM


Martie,

I hope you don't mind me sending this back up for another read.  I think it deals with some important issues.

Michael

Proust-
"Love is space and time measured by the heart"

Lone Wolf
Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842
Lansing, MI USA
9 posted 2001-04-04 04:36 PM


Powerful write, Martie.  I hope you felt better after the fire took away those awful memories.  This really packs a punch.  

All writing comes
by the grace of God.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Interloper
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Deep in the heart
10 posted 2001-04-04 04:38 PM


Well done.  A fiery death is appropos.

Live for love. Without love, you don't live.


Sunshine
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Listening to every heart
11 posted 2001-04-04 04:39 PM


Ah Martie....you have much strength, and face your fears well....

would and could we all follow your examples....

Martie
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Posts 28049
California
12 posted 2001-04-04 05:01 PM


friends--some things are difficult to write about...this certainly was and is...but it is a part of me and many others...I'm glad for poetry that allows me to write about it and people like you who have read with understanding hearts...and a special hug for Michael Auguste for his encouragement.

[This message has been edited by Martie (edited 04-04-2001).]

Irish Rose
Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263

13 posted 2001-04-04 05:22 PM




You bring the words right up for the reader and make us enjoy every line!

Janet Marie
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since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

14 posted 2001-04-05 01:23 AM


Its story is old,
I can tell by the black and whites
and the pages full of the
cunning cruelty of secrets
that feel like dead skin.
=======================

I see how someone has taken a brush of color
and blushed cheeks and lips.
The eyes brown that were blue,
blue as the starch
that stiffened his collars.
The truth was
also painted over.
========================

Where does his despair sleep
after it has stolen innocence?

Perhaps his heart cannot feel the anguish
that mine has come to know.

Mine will sleep locked in this book of time
that I now toss upon the fireplace embers.
=========================

and a stronger, healing,-- you, will rise from the ashes ..
This cuts and touches deep Martie..
and Balladeer said it perfectly..
you write it so well..that you say it without saying it...
and yes..it is powerful, and heartbreaking.
for somethings..there are no words..
for somethings there arent enough.
Love you sweet poet
me

Nan
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
15 posted 2001-04-05 07:32 AM


Yeah - What Balladeer said... You have a very unique and distinctive talent for painting a picture with your words... like no other I've seen... Nicely done, as always, my friend..
Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
16 posted 2001-04-05 07:49 AM


SweetSis~
This is a tender healing piece of writing.

I hug the innocence in you.
Love you~
~*Marge*~

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


Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
17 posted 2001-04-05 12:21 PM


No place better than the fire - it is so sad that such men even exist - truly makes me wonder what it is that twists and perverts such minds into these actions - and destroys innocence  - wonder still more - that such sins do not take prominence over those we know so well in the commandments - a far  greated sin in my book
wayoutwalt
Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870
TEXAS (it's all big)
18 posted 2001-04-05 04:02 PM


yipe i like yipe yipe o yuh
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