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Open Poetry #15
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MARK V SHELDON
Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 3015
In a corporeal internship...

0 posted 2001-08-06 12:16 PM


If you only knew how hard it is
To enter this room alone
After all the times we've shared here --
And all of the memories sewn...
You have no idea what it's like
To brush the past aside --
To ignore the vivid visions
From which I just can't hide

And everything I look at
Returns my vacant stare,
Igniting recollections
Through the dust in the air

This room was a witness
To everything that occurred
All our conversations
And thoughts were overheard
So now it whispers stories
Of times that are no more
To an audience of sadness
Gathered all around this floor.

Though I'm trying my best to let it go,
This room keeps haunting me
With a slide-show of your beauty
And a soundtrack we both know...
Whereas once, this room held promises
Of dreams so sure to come true,
Now the only things remaining
Are apparitions of you...

How desolate and different
It feels to be in here --
Devoid of the purpose
I felt when you stood near...

This room was a witness
To everything that occurred
All our conversations
And thoughts were overheard
So now it whispers stories
Of times that are no more
To an audience of sadness
Gathered all around this floor.

It was here I gave my heart to you
It was here my song made you cry
It was in this room where everything
That mattered, passed me by...

I try to focus on my work
And shake this train of thought,
As I drown in stagnant water --
My goals have started to rot...
Now I feel like an empty shell
My aspirations are gone
I'm consumed by mental quicksand
Though I know it's time to move on...


(Copyright 2001 by: MARK V SHELDON)
circa: 1993


"When you tell the Truth, you never have to remember what you just said."
--Del Casher

© Copyright 2001 Mark V Sheldon - All Rights Reserved
Decaflame
Senior Member
since 2001-05-11
Posts 1635

1 posted 2001-08-06 12:19 PM



Several parts of this are clearly the beginning of a song....

well done, Sir...

MyEnchanted_Melody
Senior Member
since 2001-05-30
Posts 1106
across the land of dreams. In your heart, I'd always be.
2 posted 2001-08-06 01:40 PM





Whereas once, this room held promises
Of dreams so sure to come true,
Now the only things remaining
Are apparitions of you...

-------------------

Memory......
I am thy slave.......

Memories seem to always have a grip on us....

A heartfelt wonderful piece of sadness and longing....


Thank you
*************************


catalinamoon
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543
The Shores of Alone
3 posted 2001-08-06 04:44 PM


Oh Mark, this was a sad moment in your life, that I suspect has not completely gone away. You express the emotion so well, Ihave felt it.
Sandra

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

4 posted 2001-08-06 05:09 PM


well, some may not know but I certainly do.

" I walked beside the evening sea And dreamed a dream that could not be" George William Curtis"

Kay

shadow974
Senior Member
since 2001-06-21
Posts 636
Michigan
5 posted 2001-08-06 05:35 PM


You put all of your heart into this one, Mark. It's very well written and just full of feeling. I hope it has been possible for you to move through this and to grow from it. Excellent poem Mark, enjoyed.

Throw your heart out in front of you
And run out to catch it.

rwood
Member Elite
since 2000-02-29
Posts 3793
Tennessee
6 posted 2001-08-06 08:06 PM


Very poignant and sorrowful. I'm sorry you went through this. You expressed so well the emptiness. Moving piece.
Sincerely,
Regina

What lies behind us and what lies before us
are small matters compared to what lies within us.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

athena4
Senior Member
since 2000-12-10
Posts 622

7 posted 2001-08-06 08:31 PM


Mark,
     So sad and heartfelt.  I only know too well how hard it is to go back into that "room". I hope you will find another room where more memories can be made.  
             Elise

Suetang
Member Ascendant
since 2001-03-07
Posts 5187
Melbourne, Australia
8 posted 2001-08-06 08:43 PM


Mark
This was such a stunning piece of writing, filled with such longing for a love lost. I hope a new love comes your way and fills you with happiness.  Take care.....Sue

Suetang

Zinsser
Senior Member
since 2001-02-27
Posts 1641
Calif.
9 posted 2001-08-06 08:51 PM


Very Good Write!
Very Very Sad...


MARK V SHELDON
Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 3015
In a corporeal internship...
10 posted 2001-08-06 10:23 PM


Decaflame --Bingo!  This was a ballad (in minor key, of course).  Thanks for the read & reply.

MEM-(ory) is indeed an adhesive, but honestly -- I wouldn't have it any other way.  Thanks for your time.

Sandra, no -- things like that never really go away, but to be honest, it's tame now -- it had the opportunity to be replaced by another "bigger and better" one...  I'm sure you know how such things go...  Wasn't there "an old ancient wisdom" that said that the best way to get rid of "a small pain" is to replace it with a bigger one?  It's all relative, afterall...  (but at least it's an endless resource for Inspiration...).

Kathleen, we all have our "rooms", don't we?

Thanks so much, Dan.  Yes, I've "moved on" and have found other happiness since, but this was an expression of feeling deeply experienced at that time.

Thank you, Regina.  It's just "one of those" poems/lyrics...

Not only rooms, Elise -- hallways and closets and basements and attics and mansions and cabins and palaces and sheds...  there's always "room" for something new to learn.

Sue, thank you so much for your positive wish...  I have no complaints -- just questions as well as understanding...

Thanks, Connie -- it was a very very real one.

-MVS

"When you tell the Truth, you never have to remember what you just said."
--Del Casher

Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
11 posted 2001-08-06 11:05 PM


Well late as usual, but I had to agree that this certainly could be an excellent song.  How many people can relate to this?  Excellent work Mark.

~ To see real beauty you must look with your heart ~
           ~* Mysteria *~

rascalx
Senior Member
since 1999-08-25
Posts 590
Florence, SC, USA
12 posted 2001-08-07 12:56 PM


Mark,
     This is the second time that you have PERFECTLY captured what I am going through with your words. Thank you again for making so clear to my still aching heart what I couldn't express with my own pen. Incidentally, the first poem I referred to was also a song  . Do you write music to accompany your words?
                     - Jeff

Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

13 posted 2001-08-07 01:26 AM


You've been writing a long time, me, not so long.  I liked your poem very much.
wpwpoet
Member
since 2001-07-25
Posts 99

14 posted 2001-08-07 07:00 AM


I wont reply to this because everyone else has said it already. I will say just enough to let you know I have read it.
peace love and understanding...wpwpoet

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
15 posted 2001-08-07 07:20 AM


I'm consumed by mental quicksand
Though I know it's time to move on...

Oh how I know this feeling..and am working on it...as my poem of today  I hope shows.......thank you Mark. I enjoyed your words.(I  hadn't read yours until after posting mine..and I see  I used sown in a different manner  and also  a few other of  your thoughts of past memories..I must be on the same  wave length *s)

softsmiles
~Wynter


"The worst prison would be a closed heart".
...Pope John Paul II


[This message has been edited by nakdthoughts (edited 08-07-2001).]

helen smith
Member
since 2001-03-12
Posts 240

16 posted 2001-08-07 07:23 AM


thank you ...so many fabulous lines.Today I entered   the room my grandchildren  had vacated over  a year ago......and their memories were  also strewn around the floor.
RSWells
Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533

17 posted 2001-08-07 08:59 AM


With this you've painted the room. Hopefully a lighter shade as time ticks by. Enjoyed.

"Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to decieve"

illusion
Member
since 2001-06-19
Posts 296

18 posted 2001-08-07 09:22 AM


So many of us can relate to this sadness - you've penned it very well.
vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
19 posted 2001-08-07 10:28 AM


liked it
MARK V SHELDON
Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 3015
In a corporeal internship...
20 posted 2001-08-07 11:27 AM


Sharon:  thanks for stopping by.  Unfortunately, I think most of us can relate to this poem at some point in our lives...  This is a ballad for piano and perhaps a string section.  

Jeff:  I'm humbled by your words and am pleased that this poem could find its way into another's state of understanding.  Yes, I write the music too, when it's a song, such as this one is.  I'd say probably 2/3 of my poems are actually lyrics for various styles of music since I was a musician/composer long before I did poetry, but since it's all related, I follow my muse where she leads me (and sometimes, she even follows me where I guide her...).  Thank you for your kind reply.

Duncan:  "a long time" is such a relative thing, really...  As long as you keep writing and make sure that it is honest, then not only will people be able to relate to your work but soon you will find that you too have been writing "for a long time."  Thanks for your reply, and I'm glad you enjoyed.

wpwpoet:  ...just the knowledge that you stopped for a moment to read it is good enough for me.  Thanks for the reply and understanding.

Wynter:  I will have to find and absorb your poem today.  Wavelengths sometimes traverse the same trajectories...  perhaps ours did just that?  I wish you peace, resolution, and understanding in your situation.  Thanks for stopping by.

Helen, thank you.  It never occurred to me that this poem could actually go beyond its obvious implications to describe a situation such as the one you mention...  It makes me wonder if it is just our memories of events which transpired that give a room its feeling or does the room itself actually retain a little "Shining" for all to feel, good or bad?  Thanks for the comments, and I hope your memories are good ones.

Richard:  this room is now in the chronicles of my history, but I can visit it any time I choose to, though I prefer the sunshine through the windows of my current room...  Thanks for the read & reply.

illusion:  I guess you're right, judging by all the responses!  Thank you for the kind comment, and I'm glad you had a read.

Vandana:  :-) to you too.

-MVS

"When you tell the Truth, you never have to remember what you just said."
--Del Casher

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