Texas Department of Concrete

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RSWells
Member Elite

since 2001-06-17

Posts 2533

0 posted 2002-08-27 11:58 AM

I

An unforgiving Sun
with mindless effort
employs gravity in it's
windless heavy step
through air both thin
and humid, to trap the
unprotected 'neath the
shadow of it's jack boot
whose sole will stamp
forever in the vise
it makes with concrete
the mark of
cain and calumny;
the brand of
wilt and wither;
the seal to
dry and die.

II

Unstoppable the concrete,
unquenchable it's thirst,
unlimited capacity to
steal once fluid souls
of their blood and sweat
and tears.
What was verdant
covered over,
what was lush
it suffocated
and what feels
it will conform
(for it controls the endless sentence
and it's curing time's infinite)

III

The juggernaut expansion
will in the end absorb
your form,
no more than filler
ground to powder
ashen, lifeless
uniform,
bound by cemented silence
whose paste your tongue
deforms,
muting passion
oozing violence
with it's seeping
chloraform.

IV

Once crushed you link
it's coarse aggregate,
in time inseparable from
it's synthetic conglemorate.
Even the stain you left
on it's surface is bleached
by the unyielding Sun
or pressure washed by
mangled mercy.

V

Unseen below it's heated
surface it entombs,
unknown to the vigilantes
it enslaves,
drawing underground
it's victims
(as spider, snakes),
the private mauling
moves like death
camp boxcars through
slabs in labyrinths,
holding cells of din
designed to make
concrete comforting.
Some, buried to the knees
yet rail,
others to the waist
have eyes in terror,
madness buoys those
heads alone above
the concrete.
Smooth and colorless
are the souless
fallen.

VI

I'll stay on feral green
ahead of rumbling mixers,
for I've much unused Love
and a voice just getting
warmed up,
off the limestone slabs,
away from ruthless crushers,
buy time with rainy days
and breath without a mask.
I'll live, I'll Love, I'll trust,
I'll give, I'll Love, I'll lust,
much lighter now I must.
I must.

"Happy people have no history" - French Proverb

[This message has been edited by RSWells (08-27-2002 01:13 PM).]

Sandpiper
Senior Member

since 2002-06-15

Posts 738
land of flora and fauna

1 posted 2002-08-27 12:07 PM

Haunting!

WhiteRose
Member Elite

since 2002-07-23

Posts 3208
somebody's dungeon

2 posted 2002-08-27 12:09 PM

Haunting indeed, and incredible!! Excellent writing.

VAS
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-11-16

Posts 7450
Oregon

3 posted 2002-08-27 01:20 PM

Superb, this, and yes, haunting. My favorite lines:

Unstoppable the concrete,
                                                           unquenchable it's thirst,
                                                             unlimited capacity to
                                                             steal once fluid souls

One of two girls missing since the beginning of the year is suspected to be the identity of the one found beneath a concrete slab in the rapist's yard in Oregon City.

Whether on the shoal or on the shore,
I'll seek the lighthouse evermore.

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

4 posted 2002-08-27 01:26 PM

"the mark of
cain and calumny;
the brand of
wilt and wither;
the seal to
dry and die"

Our forever erring 'human' way of thanking our Mother for the beauty she so lovingly gave us.
An amazing masterpiece, heavy with thought.

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

5 posted 2002-08-27 05:01 PM

This weighed down my heart, putting a rock in my stomach, but then lifted my spirt to a wonderful sense of freedom. A very strong piece here Richard. Well done.

The most valuable thing you own is a smile, wear it, and share it.
Sharon

Janet Marie
Member Laureate

since 2000-01-22

Posts 18554

6 posted 2002-08-28 11:28 AM

I'll stay on feral green
ahead of rumbling mixers,
for I've much unused Love
and a voice just getting
warmed up,
off the limestone slabs,
away from ruthless crushers,
buy time with rainy days
and breath without a mask.
I'll live, I'll Love, I'll trust,
I'll give, I'll Love, I'll lust,
much lighter now I must.
I must.
================================

May the roads rise up to meet you ...
May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face ...
the rains fall soft upon your field.

And until we meet again ...
May the Lord hold you in the hollow of His hands.

"Olden Irish/Gaelic blessing."

yes...you must....and you must write the lessons learned.

bsquirrel

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-01-03

Posts 7855

7 posted 2002-08-28 02:00 PM

RSWells,
That's something that can only be written from a lot of living, and so you do. You do.

Mike

jellybeans
Member Elite

since 2000-10-13

Posts 2298

8 posted 2002-08-28 02:29 PM

ok, this was not what I expected from the title...and I almost didn't read it when I saw how long it was...but each word pulled me to the next and I felt I 'must' read it....am glad I did......wonderful write *claps her hands*

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