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Open Poetry #19
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GenXer
Senior Member
since 2001-12-15
Posts 583
USA

0 posted 2002-03-02 10:17 PM




Throughout my days
of aching smiles and hollow laughter
I play my con game
Until I cross the threshold of my domain
and I’m alone with my thoughts
Only then do I allow myself
to feel the truth that I keep

I just sit in the dark with my lids closed,
exhausted from the wear this puts on me
Suddenly they will wince,
allowing a drop to sneak out
from the corner of my lying eyes
But unlike the old adage,
this revelation never sets me free


© David 2002

[This message has been edited by GenXer (03-02-2002 10:19 PM).]

© Copyright 2002 GenXer - All Rights Reserved
SEA
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Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
1 posted 2002-03-02 10:25 PM


damn...this makes me want to hug you and make it all ok.... I hope you are ok
ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353
Michigan, USA
2 posted 2002-03-02 10:28 PM


There is much anguish in this lonely piece...There is no harder critique than that we give ourselves my friend. Happiness to you... moved me deeply. ThisDiamond

GenXer
Senior Member
since 2001-12-15
Posts 583
USA
3 posted 2002-03-02 10:29 PM


Susan - Thanks for reading, and though I feel this way at times, I am okay.  I enjoy TV too much to sit in the dark for a long time, though, it does save on the electric bill.lol

Dave

SEA
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Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
4 posted 2002-03-02 10:30 PM


sounds like you just need a little candle light.... glad you are ok
Krissy
Senior Member
since 2002-02-22
Posts 556
kent England
5 posted 2002-03-02 10:38 PM


Dave hi there, I like this, but I can think of far more interesting things to do in the dark, I’d liven you up. Wouldn’t you rather serve me Tea. You can give it to mum later, I said I was the younger prettier model. You know she’s going to murder me don’t you, but she’s got to catch me first I’m sure you’d enjoy taking Tea with me.

You are an excellent writer. And I really do like this one big grin

Love and warm stuff
As always
Krissy


And while thy willing soul transpiers
at every pore with instant fires
Andrew Marvell 1621-1678

Madame Chipmunk
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296
Michigan
6 posted 2002-03-02 10:41 PM


A very beautiful free verse poem, Dave....
Very melancholy
I didn't know you needed help with your electric bill....I guess New York is really an expensive place to live if you have to keep your lights off

copyright2002 Lyra Nesius

"poetry is life distilled"  Gwendolyn Brooks

Marsha
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since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
7 posted 2002-03-02 10:51 PM


Dave darling boy Do you know how good this really is? I mean the construction the flow the internal rhythm this is utterly stunning. YOU are indeed a master of art here

Now as for the little trollop you don’t want her darling boy, I know what you need, and you just know I can give it to you. Take the kettle off the boil darling boy I’ll make my own steam See my darling daughter you can’t hold a candle to your mum, can she darling boy. I think you’ll find that leaves you way behind darling girl, ciao

I love it darling boy it and you are utterly wonderful

Absolutely perfectly wonderful writing

  
Love and warm stuff
As always
Mushy

To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace Luke 2:79


GenXer
Senior Member
since 2001-12-15
Posts 583
USA
8 posted 2002-03-02 10:53 PM


ThisDiamond - You are right, I am my biggest critic.  It is something I've always struggled with.  Thanks for reading.  

Susan - Thanks again.

Krissy - Please behave now.  I promised to have tea with your mother first, I can't go against my word.  Though, I think having a cup of tea with you would be splendid, I only have a limited amount to go around.lol   Thanks for reading.  

Lyra - Thanks, and yes, it is very expensive to live in NY.  Not only do I not turn on the lights, I haven't showered in days.  I also eat my food uncooked to save on my gas and electric bills as well.lol       

GenXer
Senior Member
since 2001-12-15
Posts 583
USA
9 posted 2002-03-02 11:00 PM


Marsha -Thanks for your kind comments.

With comments like "take the kettle of the boil I'll make my own steam," you are right, no one can hold a candle to you.  Now Marsha, I don't even drink tea, so that fact that I would drink tea if you came to visit me, shows that no one can come close to you.

By the way, did you just knock your daughter off the computer, or you two taking turns.lol

Dave

Mistletoe Angel
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Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
10 posted 2002-03-02 11:35 PM




(big hugggsssssss) Oh Dave, this is so very sad, my heart goes out to you and the sadness you feel! (sigh) I know just how you feel for when I'm alone all the time, I always just want to lie in the darkness and dream away! We all love you so much, sweet friend, my thoughts are with you always! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet David, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Marsha
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since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
11 posted 2002-03-03 12:28 PM


Dave darling boy I ejected her yes, it’s bad enough that she’s omnipresent, but when it comes to messing with my Tea time then that is outside of enough. Besides it was time she went home, she’d been here far too long. I knew you wouldn’t be sitting in the dark for long darling boy, the steam is simmering nicely

It is a great piece of writing darling boy, it really is


Love and warm stuff
As always
Mushy

To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace Luke 2:79


rosepetals25
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Member Elite
since 2000-05-31
Posts 3076
PA
12 posted 2002-03-03 12:32 PM


Dave,

   I'm glad you are ok.  Just watch yourself, I've been to that dark place too.  It is easy sometimes to visit to long.  I enjoyed this.

Hugs,
Tara

"My heart is like an open book, for the whole world to read"
     - Motley Crue, Home Sweet Home

JamesBowie
Member
since 2000-11-25
Posts 252
big old Bangor Maine up by the shack
13 posted 2002-03-03 01:09 AM


pain makes us what e are, as well as love and courage and success. From one gen x to another-you did good
Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia
14 posted 2002-03-03 02:44 AM


Dave
isn't it interesting that sometimes the truth doesn't set you free at all. Loved your write although it was not lovely and I suspect the shadows of your self criticism  will chase me all night so if I write dark it will YOUR fault. And I'm not offering tea or sympathy
for self inflicted pain.
Kethry

Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind.  Unknown



BluesSerenade
Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
15 posted 2002-03-03 02:59 AM


I play my con game
Until I cross the threshold of my domain
and I’m alone with my thoughts
Only then do I allow myself
to feel the truth that I keep

I absolutely, positively loved this!

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
16 posted 2002-03-03 06:43 AM



The last two lines of each stanza stuck out...

thank you...

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
17 posted 2002-03-03 07:39 AM


I read this differently and am not really sure now..I for one, hate con games and those that play them, but it seems others made light of all this, probably knowing and understanding you better.

It sort of reminded me of telemarketers ( a crummy example)and all the lies to get you to buy and I wondered do they have a conscience..what happens to them when they try to sleep at night..do they have a tear flowing down?

*sorry  do not mean to take it out on you...*s

just brought up some deeper feelings

M

RavenSnow
Junior Member
since 2002-01-30
Posts 16

18 posted 2002-03-03 09:00 AM


As always, your dark work shines Dave. Your free verse is excellent. You really capture "the feeling" here.

RS

Spirit Of Twilight
Member
since 2002-01-11
Posts 116
India
19 posted 2002-03-03 09:15 AM


This poem is so beautiful and oh the darkness..I loved it too, long ago and I know what it feels. The Dark is a good companion for grief and despair, but look out of your window..at the bright lights and beautiful sunsets and sunrises and you'll want to be a part of light too!
Take care of yourself. Keep writing!!

Neha

strbbux
Member Elite
since 2001-12-19
Posts 3859

20 posted 2002-03-03 09:19 AM


Dave this is so very heartfelt. Yes the dark is a great place to beat yourself up. To be self critical. I criticize myself a lot so I know about that place, you take care, you are such a good writer with so much feeling in your work. floria

Floria

"Alas for those that never sing,
But die with all their music in them"
(Oliver Wendell Holmes)

GenXer
Senior Member
since 2001-12-15
Posts 583
USA
21 posted 2002-03-03 11:10 AM


Noah - Thanks for your kind coments.

Marsha - I hope you didn't physically have to remove her from your home.  By the way, my mirrors and windows are covered in steam, I think that means the tea is ready.  What do you think?lol   

James - Good to see there is another GenXer here.  I agree, all of those things make us who we are.

Tara - Don't worry, I am so afraid of the dark, I carry a flashlight whereever I go.lol

Keth - I hope I didn't cause the arising of any dark thoughts since I consider this, for me, to be a cheerful write.lol  Yes, I am lying.  Seriously, I write this stuff because it is mainly the one feeling that spurs my writing the most.  But I don't want to, nor will I ever, burden others with my problems.  Now can you please help me.
    

GenXer
Senior Member
since 2001-12-15
Posts 583
USA
22 posted 2002-03-03 11:16 AM


Karilea - If I had to pick my two favorite lines, it would be the last two as well.  Or maybe I would choose the my copyright symbol down below.lol  Thanks for reading.

M - I am not a big fan of telemarketers either.lol  When I wrote con game, I meant not expressing my true feelings to anyone.  That, by the way I act in my daily interactions, that you would never guess this feeling is within me.  Or maybe, all telemarketers cry in the dark.  You know it ain't easy being hung up on.lol

Blue - You are too kind.  Thanks.  

Magnus
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Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
23 posted 2002-03-03 11:17 AM


If this is happy...oh please...don't show us
the ones that are not....much emotion and
depth in this poem..

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
24 posted 2002-03-03 11:43 AM


awwwww  geez now I feel so  dumb..someone else said it was like you con yourself and I didn't see that..nor that you maybe are "putting on a face" for others. I have never been great at interpreting..just as those who read me think they understand me and they don't.

Thanks for the explanation. *S and the laugh
by the way, once I kept a telemarketer on  because I didnt want to hang up and he didnt want to call anymore because I was so nice to him so I read poetry to him for an hour *s  and then sent him a poem written for him.if I can find that poem I wrote about it I will place it here for you.
Maureen


That Soliciting Thing!

~~~softsmiles upon my face you'll see
I'm thinking, writing happily
first awake and look on here
pleasant comments do appear
making new friends, Oh how great!
reading poems, just can't wait
to see each new one added on
enjoying, smiling ... one by one

then the phone begins to RiNgGgGg
gee, it's just that soliciting thing!
I'm too nice, to hang up today
instead, I let him talk away ...
it's MCI wanting me to change
but I'm too set to rearrange
"I've AT&T and like it just fine
you'll never get ME to change MY mind"

this is what I said to John
but he liked my voice and wouldn't move on
he said he liked my attitude
and wanted to talk to help his mood
I told him I shouldn't ( his time ) monopolize
he said WHO CARES? this he realized
said talking to me makes it easier when
the next few calls hang up again

so the next we spoke was of the 'net'
and the poetry sites for him to get
he asked for one, I read 'the letter'
this one made him feel even better
for his circumstances were similar to mine
and hearing my poem, made him feel just 'fine'
so another new friendship ... was happening
developed from that awful, soliciting thing!

an hour of time he spent with me
me reading, him listening, to poetry
he promised when he sees me on the line
to contact me to read more of mine
and I promised him ... a poem I'd write
about his dad ... for him tonight
what a strange kind of day, this turned out to be
but a new friend, now, I have found in 'he'

2/9/99


[This message has been edited by nakdthoughts (03-03-2002 11:51 AM).]

ecrivan
Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923
my own state
25 posted 2002-03-03 12:32 PM


This dark, free verse is done quite well Dave,and I too save on electicity at times


GenXer
Senior Member
since 2001-12-15
Posts 583
USA
26 posted 2002-03-03 04:21 PM


Maureen - What a great story.  I never thought I'd hear or read a positive story that involved a telemarketing experience, but this one was very sweet.  Thanks for sharing it.  And by the way, I am not the best interpreter at times either.

Martin - Glad to see you can sympathize with me.  I mean on the electric bill.lol  Thanks for reading.

Floria - You are too kind.  Thanks.

Magnus - Thanks for reading and for the laugh.  I guess I am not that good of a liar.lol  I guess I am not good at much of anything.(kidding)lol

RS -  Thanks for reading.

Neha - Thanks for reading and the advice.  I just have to get some windows in my place and I'll be all set.

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