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Open Poetry #24
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christian
Member
since 2002-12-18
Posts 331


0 posted 2003-01-16 03:33 PM




lunchboxes to razorblades
--------------------------


the photographer fell for your pseudosmiles
and left you--there in a perfect box,
looking so damn depressed in grayscale ..

or, maybe you weren't pretending
and maybe you really did, smile ..

because

you made it--from december rain to lunchroom facades ..
where you picked labels off plastic soda bottles
and crumbled in sony headphones while you dissolved
with blurry backgrounds. left, unfocused.

you made it--from thriftstore T's to old backpacks
blemished with pins and sharpie markers.
as pocketknife signatures on mahogany desktops, fade

into your graveyard limestones ..
                                  
you made it--from lunchboxes to razorblades ..

sustained smashing pumpkin songs
and funeral fetishes only to be placed in
black and white yearbooks, where unused spaces are
left there with nothing to do but drown your
red autograph
and ghost photographs.

the photographer fell for your pseudosmiles
and left you--there, in a perfect box,
looking so damn depressed in grayscale ..

or, maybe you weren't pretending
and
maybe
you really did smile,
because you made it
..
because you made it ..



---------------------------------------------
"and i dont want the world to see me
because i don't think that theyd
understand,
when everythings meant to be broken
i just want you to know who i am"

[goo goo dolls]
---------------------------------------------

[This message has been edited by christian (01-16-2003 03:34 PM).]

© Copyright 2003 christian ragunton - All Rights Reserved
Duncan
Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455

1 posted 2003-01-16 03:46 PM


you made it--from thriftstore T's to old backpacks
blemished with pins and sharpie markers.
as pocketknife signatures on mahogany desktops, fade

into your graveyard limestones ..
                                  
you made it--from lunchboxes to razorblades ..

You have a real talent for description Christian.  It never sounds contrived.  And these particular images, while familiar are freshly done.  Once again, I enjoy the way you write.

Astro
Member
since 2003-01-08
Posts 69
Ca.
2 posted 2003-01-16 03:49 PM


Very haunting. So many people live the rest of their lives like epilogue after high school. Just a wrap-up until death.
I love the use of popular images and ad-references. Those always make the best satire and cynicism.
I like the positive conclusion that perhaps it wasn't a fake smile. Perhaps the protagonist (if that's waht you'd call it) got away clean and made something with their lives. Still, there's something so haunting about the intesity of those hogh-scholl memories. Maybe that's why classmates.com is so disgustingly successful.
Overall, great theme. As for the poetic structure, I liked it. My only complaint would be the long stanzas. It's not wrong to use long stanzas but shorter, more brief images are a preference of mine. It makes it easier for me to read.
Great job!

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
3 posted 2003-01-16 04:19 PM




BRAVO!!! I am truly becoming a true fan of your descriptive nature and poetic soul, dearest friend, sometimes your words seem to have pieces of the great philosophers hidden within the thrift store atmosphere and it all comes together with cohesive beauty! (sigh) God Bless You, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Christian, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

bsquirrel
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855

4 posted 2003-01-16 06:30 PM


I see this as a triumph
over a wreck of school years
and a hand-me-down existence.

God knows I know this one.
When you crumpled into the corner,
strapped on some music,
picked at things,
wrote your name,
tasted chalk (the limestone graveyard)
and tried to disappear.

Wonderful writing.

And yes,

you did make it.

.m.

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
5 posted 2003-01-16 06:36 PM


Way to go Christian!
congratulations, on the exit and the entrance into the next dimension.
You have a keen mind, and a gutwrenching honesty about you. Razorblades, indeed.

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
6 posted 2003-01-16 07:26 PM


Thanks for the lesson, Christian. I'm afraid I "skimmed" through this poem too quickly as mods sometimes do with so many poems to cover. Someone asked a question about your meanings, which caused me to look at it more closely and I was able to recognize just how excellent your writing really is. Your metaphors, the phrasing and some deep meanings that lie exposed and yet hidden for those not being able to decipher what they see make for rewarding reading. I won't "skim" again...keep writing
Aenimal
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350
the ass-end of space
7 posted 2003-01-16 07:37 PM


Awesome write, could hear the quiet loud  guitars and a Corgan/Iha distortion fadeout
near the end and loved every second of it remembering high school and my walkman escape

christian
Member
since 2002-12-18
Posts 331

8 posted 2003-01-16 11:53 PM



i think the greatest praise comes from
those who you look up to. this is it.

thanks for making me believe that i am
some sort of writer.

-chris.

Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia
9 posted 2003-01-17 05:15 AM


christian,
incredible - indelible images. Fantastic!
Kethry

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



enchantingvamp
Member
since 2002-12-21
Posts 214
Indiana, & NO there is NOT more than corn in Indiana, oughta go back to texas!
10 posted 2003-01-17 05:23 AM


Once again, Christain, I gotta kiss your cheek, write on doll!  

Nature has a funny way of breaking that which will not bend....Jewell

Sandpiper
Senior Member
since 2002-06-15
Posts 738
land of flora and fauna
11 posted 2003-01-17 06:38 AM


your style is quite unique and breathless--your talent shines, write on!!

"And it was at that age...Poetry arrived in search of me...And something started in my soul."
Pablo Neruda

Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
12 posted 2003-01-17 08:06 AM


an 18% gray would be a perfect backdrop for this. I take it you're taking photography this semester?....A very thought provoking write Chris.
Salty
Senior Member
since 2002-11-23
Posts 669
Texas
13 posted 2003-01-17 09:29 AM


I envy those thathave the ability to write in "REAL" form.  I know the person the speaker desribes...i know his thoughts...I picture his decor.  You have executed this
thought provoking write very well.


~Salty

In the Midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.
--Deepak Chop

Sybil
Member
since 2002-09-12
Posts 73
Midwest
14 posted 2003-01-17 09:31 AM



You have managed to draw in
some of the best writers
PiPs has to offer...

better yet,
you kept their attention.

Keep writing.

garysgirl
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
15 posted 2003-01-17 11:10 AM


Chris, my friend, I do believe you "have made it" here at PIP.
You know what? I believe that you could make it anywhere and in any
situation that you wanted to. Why? Because underneath
all that determination, there is a quiet smile of understanding.
Thank you for this...


~Ethel~

regards2you
Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940
California
16 posted 2003-01-17 11:33 AM




Chris,

You ~AM~....and I smile at your talent and ability to capture all you do.
Definitely unique and original, you and your poetry. So glad you are part of this site, you give us so much.

Thank you,

Enjoyed, Pat

..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons..
        "Desiderata"

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
17 posted 2003-01-17 12:33 PM


This is excellent, christian!
passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
18 posted 2003-01-17 01:14 PM


smashing pumpkins...

Chris, this one sent me off into some deep thought, and I appreciate it.

christian
Member
since 2002-12-18
Posts 331

19 posted 2003-01-18 02:43 AM



ethel and dixie are a post away
from having the same amount of posts.

just me over analyzing, :dives back
into reality:

christian
Member
since 2002-12-18
Posts 331

20 posted 2003-01-18 02:46 AM



the only reason i made it here is because
of you guys. thanks for putting up with
my wit, more to come--but thanks for
putting up with it.

and i do appreciate the feedback, not only
that--but i respect them as well. let's
keep on keeping.

-chris.

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