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Open Poetry #25
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wranx
Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn

0 posted 2003-03-16 03:39 PM



Sitting
Staring
Into my dying fire

I see her

Following restive
Behind his decrepit wagon

Marking time
By the protesting groans
Of the trundling dray
As it trembles beneath
Its burden of false promise

On its endless journey
Toward dissolute pledge

I see her stop
Now and again

To scratch out her yearning
On cavewall and crag
Or score bitter anguish
Upon her breasts and her thighs

I watch as she wanders
From his prescribed path
To make her temporary temples

Washing the shame from her face
Combing sins from her hair

Donning the crimsoned robes
An obscuring mantle
For a priestess of love

And warming herself
Burning the faggots
Of bundled affection

Then, once again,
Falling in line
Behind her betrothed

Tethered by the threads
Of fraying hope
Bound with the intricate knots
Of mistrust

Making simple meals
From what she can scavenge
Or from the bones that he throws her

Walking deeper
Into the wasteland
Counting the steps

Through catching briar
And tripping bramble
Taking her farther
From her heinous angel

She begins to regret
Blurring her tracks
So that no one can follow
Nor let her find her way back

I see the bright diamonds
Fall from her eyes
To the dust on the ground

Glint for a moment
Then trampled
To mud

[This message has been edited by wranx (03-16-2003 07:08 PM).]

© Copyright 2003 E.F.Rose - All Rights Reserved
Aenimal
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350
the ass-end of space
1 posted 2003-03-16 03:53 PM



Under the burden of false promise

I've seen too many people lose themselves to these, whether to the promise of an ideal, path,person.. Extremely well written Ed. I felt the pang in this, of an observer, feeling helpless to help, but forced to watch one fall.

Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

2 posted 2003-03-16 04:08 PM


'I see her stop
Now and again

To scratch out her yearning
On cavewall and crag
Or score bitter anguish
Upon her breasts and her thighs

I watch as she wanders
From his prescribed path
To make her temporary temples

Washing the shame from her face
Combing sins from her hair'


I read this several times, each time the face got clearer.  Perfect title for a situation without redemption.



littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
3 posted 2003-03-16 05:25 PM


ED:

I see the bright diamonds
Fall from her eyes
To the dust on the ground

God - this is amazing - know what that feels like I do - I did - I do - yes - excellent - as always xxoo

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

4 posted 2003-03-16 05:41 PM


You just floored me.

shaking my head here...

this is one of those that I'm not sure I want to think about too long. Disquietly familiar--

shaking off the feeling...

How you manage to make such a powerful impact with such gentle words is beyond me.

Jason Lyle
Senior Member
since 2003-02-07
Posts 1438
With my darkling
5 posted 2003-03-16 05:47 PM


As usual, you humble me with words.This is amazing.Well written.You possess much talent Ed.
Jason

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
6 posted 2003-03-16 05:50 PM


Nice writing...James
Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
7 posted 2003-03-16 06:43 PM


Whoa, Ed. Such hopelessness here. Resignation, no chance, no hope of escape.

One tiny nit:

Its’ burden of false promise

On it’s endless journey
Toward dissolute pledge


in both cases above its' and it's s/b its
no apostrophe.  

What is its color? It's green. It's been a long, long time.
These are the champs, surely the most often confused words in English! Remember, it's means it is or it has! Use its to show possession.

from: http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/notorious/its.htm

Core


wranx
Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn
8 posted 2003-03-16 07:10 PM


Have I metioned that I failed English?

TWICE?

Thanks Core.

[This message has been edited by wranx (03-16-2003 07:15 PM).]

1slick_lady
Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088
standing on a shadow's lace
9 posted 2003-03-16 08:01 PM


this use to be my story...USE to be...h
Aenimal
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350
the ass-end of space
10 posted 2003-03-16 08:50 PM


Failed twice eh? I failed once and dropped out of two courses. Although those were due to the drunkards i had as teachers

[This message has been edited by Aenimal (03-16-2003 08:54 PM).]

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
11 posted 2003-03-16 10:36 PM


I am not so sure I always understand what it is you are saying.  But I interpreted this in such a way that only we can help ourselves, so long as we remain open to the changes we encounter at the crossroads of our lives.

It's all good wranx~


littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
12 posted 2003-03-17 12:55 PM


Ok - hehehe how many of us were failed?  LOL - I failed creative writing in college . . . now that - how can you fail CREATIVE writing - goodness . . .  *smiles*  

[This message has been edited by littlewing (03-17-2003 12:56 AM).]

garysgirl
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
13 posted 2003-03-17 01:09 AM


Ed, you certainly don't write like you failed English  ever.

Everything I read of yours keeps me
glued to the computer screen. It all seems
so real.....like I'm looking through a window at the scene and situation you
are telling about.

You are amazing, dear poet, Sir.

Hugs,
Ethel

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
14 posted 2003-03-17 02:51 AM


amazing write
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