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Open Poetry #22
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RSWells
Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533


0 posted 2002-09-18 08:15 AM



That comely frame you view is a cenotaph
and means elsewhere's a being discarnate.

While I don't recall the moment of schism
I'd beg you be kind to the empty whelk.

I believe the him in him fled when the
noose of uncomprehension tightened.

First Prokofiev then T. S. Eliot then
racial division among common folk who

wouldn't follow the strings of dichotomy,
from marionettes to dark tinted limousines.

He tried to follow Kandinskys footsteps
by becoming part of the colorful painting,

even daydreaming of graduation through
improvisation to impression to composition.

But he never made it to the river Sukona
and had by then experienced too much pain

to blend in a landscape of primal untamed
innocence. The final imponderable was you.

He leaked his soul before your declaration
that your grand passion was already spent,

before your damning silence, your ice suit,
meaning his Love could only ever be a mackle

and his devotions inevitable fate would
be rubbed raw, the blankest palimpsest.
.
.
.
.
.
.
cenotaph-a monument erected to a person whose body
is buried elsewhere.
discarnate-without a physical body, incorporeal.
whelk-any of several large,spiral shaped marine
gastropods(shell)
mackle-a blur in printing from a double impression.
       A stain.
palimpsest-a parchment or like from which writing
has been partially or completely erased
to make room for another text.


"Happy people have no history" - French Proverb

[This message has been edited by RSWells (09-18-2002 12:16 PM).]

© Copyright 2002 Richard S. Wells jr. - All Rights Reserved
Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia
1 posted 2002-09-18 08:22 AM


RSWells,
I liked the rhythm of your work and your word usage was interesting.
Kethry

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



amusemi
Senior Member
since 2001-12-08
Posts 1262
A State of Disarray
2 posted 2002-09-18 09:39 AM


Very reminiscent of "The Hollow Men", not necessarily in scheme, yet in voice.  

Why Prokofiev?  "Lolita's" are nothin' but trouble anyway!  Who needs 'em!

Exceptional verbage and interesting construction.  I like that you defined some of those obscure words.  It saved me a trip to the ole Websters. LOL  

Great write RS!

Just believe...

Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
3 posted 2002-09-18 09:41 AM


Mr. Wells...enjoyed the poem after I got to the end and you 'decoded' all those words...LOL....(It also saved me a lot of time looking for my college edition of Funk and Wagnalls)
Lady In White
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2001-02-12
Posts 2799
USA
4 posted 2002-09-18 09:42 AM



Perhaps there should be a challenge
to revive obscure words
just getting the tongue around some of them
causes one to take them in, whole,
to taste understanding,
a little better...

RSWells
Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533

5 posted 2002-09-18 12:14 PM


Thank you all for your attentions. The reference to Prokofiev, Eliot and the races allowing themselves to be manipulated all were intended to display my ignorance of certain things. Prokofiev wrote some music I couldn't follow, Eliot some poetry beyond me and this ill-fated Love (its end) will be forever out of my reach.
amusemi
Senior Member
since 2001-12-08
Posts 1262
A State of Disarray
6 posted 2002-09-18 08:58 PM


Oh man!  Dropped the ball on that one!  Prokofiev also wrote Peter and the Wolf!

I am such a dolt....oops!  I was thinking Nabokov.

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