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Open Poetry #26
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CaseyLeigh
Junior Member
since 2003-05-15
Posts 48


0 posted 2003-05-15 02:57 AM


drove down small town main street today
wished for a clear blue day
instead
i received a cloudy mess of rain
falling on my blue chariot
through those trickles
of what we think is not acidic
a banner, abused by the weather, hung low
across the photo shop
and the courthouse
which makes claims at serving justice
as a blue plate special
it read:
"april is sexual assault awareness month:
walk a mile in her shoes"
and i think
while this month's showers drench
where were you on that overcast day
a month from now and three years past
where was your awareness
while i cowered in an azure vehicle
a gun at my head
a sick taste
and a stranger's hands invading me
and not even a few steps from here

walking a mile
in the suggested high heels adorning the sign
would not compare
to the country i have crossed
in now calloused bare feet
walking a mile
would not lend one
to nearly enough sights along the way
those tourist attractions
the one that says, "come one, come all-
see the mess,
hiding by an orange crate full of vinyl"
hearing the banging on the door
to attend the summer's festivities
too paralyzed
too sick in the head to answer
to think
to feel anything but novacaine
flooding my veins
"but they try," i say
they try their hand at prevention
even if the hand
is unaware and sheltered
beneath mary kay moisturizers
warm winter gloves
and perfunctory wedding bands
but what can a shoddy banner do
hanging low at the end of a month's showers
as i pass beneath it
what can it do
to save a cynic like me
or the next

[This message has been edited by CaseyLeigh (05-15-2003 03:12 AM).]

© Copyright 2003 Casey Cambridge - All Rights Reserved
regards2you
Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940
California
1 posted 2003-05-15 08:23 AM



Casey, welcome to Passions. A powerful, heartfelt, though sad write.

~Many~ here will relate to the feelings so well written.

You will find much support here; am glad you've joined us. Look forward to more of your poetry.

Hugs, Pat


Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
2 posted 2003-05-15 08:45 AM


Casey Leigh, Welcome to Passions!  
Please, check your E-mail for a Special Greeting!

Karilea - if I whisper, will you listen?

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
3 posted 2003-05-15 08:50 AM


WELCOME TO PASSIONS!
Very insightful first post.
I look forward to seeing more of your work.
~Smiles & Hugs, Nancy~

~Somewhere in my heart I'm always
dancing with you in the summer rain~

Nightshade
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962
just out of reach
4 posted 2003-05-15 09:25 AM






Enjoyed your first post!!

garysgirl
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
5 posted 2003-05-15 09:39 AM




Casey Leigh,



To Passions
In Poetry


This is a very strong and powerful poem.
I think you've found a good place to be
where you will be given a lot of support,
if this is written from your own personal
experience. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Hugs,
Ethel.....garysgirl

Local Parasite
Deputy Moderator 10 Tours
Member Elite
since 2001-11-05
Posts 2527
Transylconia, Winnipeg
6 posted 2003-05-15 09:47 AM


I don't think it's to be taken very seriously, Casey.  It's always something awareness month, but nobody ever really bothers to think too much on it.  People try very hard to be heroic without doing anything at all to change things... things like acknowledging some kind of "awareness" month are just the little ways in which they can pretend that they truly do care.  That's the sad state of the world...

But there are people who genuinely care, who really wish to make a difference... you'll find that they're usually very, very sad people, who've invested time and effort in changing the world for the better.  I don't think "awareness" will change much, it's just another form of false action... some kind of opiate for the real victims.

Pardon me for sounding a little cynical myself.  But I did enjoy your poem, because I've seen the same banner and I had more or less the same response as you did.  Glad that you posted this, Casey.

Welcome to Passions in Poetry.

Parasite

Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.
~Percy Bysshe Shelley

Pilgrimage
Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945
Texas, USA
7 posted 2003-05-15 10:08 AM


Casey, I won't say I enjoyed your poem. It's too real, too true, and too tragic. A lot of people care, but they can't be around when the trouble starts. At least they try to help pick up the pieces. You have to give them credit for that.  Welcome to Passions. I'm not around much, but when I come by I'll look for your poetry-it's powerful stuff.

Nan (Pilgrim variety)

CaseyLeigh
Junior Member
since 2003-05-15
Posts 48

8 posted 2003-05-15 11:06 AM


thanks for the replies...

i don't mean to blame anyone for lack of awareness in this poem. in short, only one person can be held responsible for that. i think i was trying to touch on the fact that people don't realize these things happen...to people in their families, their friends, or their co-workers. i think people sometimes live under the "it will never happen to me or anyone i know" umbrella.

perhaps i shouldn't have shared something so personal for my first post, but this is the most recent thing that i wrote.

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
9 posted 2003-05-15 11:42 AM


Casey, everyone interprets poetry differently.  It's up to us, the writer, to see if we can do our best to have everyone come to the same understanding - not always an easy task, for as you point out, we all reside under different umbrellas.

Keep writing.  You have been through a lot - and you will find, as you read, that there are a lot of poets here to do go beyond their shy and write what means most to them - again, another task not always easily accomplished.

I look forward to reading more of your work.

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

10 posted 2003-05-15 12:15 PM


A powerful piece.

and yes, the haunting resounds...

Welcome.

I look forward to reading more of your work.

Drexler_McStyles
Member
since 2002-11-18
Posts 195
Venice, Ca
11 posted 2003-05-15 12:41 PM


where is the poem about the maid you promised not so long ago? you have to start churning these things out like butter now darling...

D.

CaseyLeigh
Junior Member
since 2003-05-15
Posts 48

12 posted 2003-05-15 12:47 PM


that one is on the way, it's in dire need of editing. there is too much i can say about that woman...
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
13 posted 2003-05-15 12:48 PM


Casey

Hard to put out a banner of true feeling, unless you have been in that hurtful place yourself.  Help comes from speaking out (as you did in this poem), for in so doing you become stronger.  Welcome to Passions!

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
14 posted 2003-05-15 12:58 PM


CaseyLeigh~
Poignantly felt~

You've written this expertly~
There are just so many who fail to be responsive to acts of violation~

Awareness begins within each of us ... and hopefully your write will tune a reader into 'looking', 'thinking', 'taking action to be more aware'~

Welcome to Passions and thank you for sharing an emotion-packed first post~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
15 posted 2003-05-15 01:06 PM


No banner can touch this painful reality. You've done an excellent job of pulling the truth right out of the garbage can. It does stink, and no amount of MKAY can cover it up.
Welcome to Pips, Casey. I'm looking forward to more reality bytes from you.

bslicker
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2000-12-04
Posts 2321
state of mind
16 posted 2003-05-15 01:44 PM


Welcome
Keep writing.
Bernie

A smile a day keeps the world in smile's.
Bernie Slicker

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
17 posted 2003-05-15 01:48 PM


Drexler said
quote:
where is the poem about the maid you promised not so long ago? you have to start churning these things out like butter now

and you said
quote:
that one is on the way, it's in dire need of editing. there is too much i can say about that woman...

We take series...

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
18 posted 2003-05-15 02:10 PM




(big hugggssssssss) Oh Casey, this is a very heartaching but true debut, dearest friend, I think it is because of all the cynics out there that these awareness things go nowhere! Anytime, anyplace, anywhere, there is always some among those who feel awareness will accomplish nothing in the end and that domino effect seems to occur! It's all part of philosophy, and I only pray we can just live free of this notion, God Bless You! Welcome to Passions, sweet Casey, may you be inspired by all of us here as we will all be inspired by your lovely words! I can't wait to read more of your lovely words, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Casey, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

Underneath your clothes, there's an endless story

***Shakira***

icebox
Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383
in the shadows
19 posted 2003-05-15 04:56 PM


A good piece of writing - raw feelings presented in a raw state.

Time does not heal all wounds, but no one gets away from karma.

Thank you for sharing your work here.

littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
20 posted 2003-05-16 07:00 AM


Casey:

amazing writing here and the message is
quite clear . . .
you bleed and for a first post
I must say you have quite taken
my breath away this morning

Welcome to PIP
you have come to the right place
xxoo  

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353
Michigan, USA
21 posted 2003-05-16 04:54 PM


Casey,
You are welcome here...
there is no better poetry than that which is written real...
from the heart, and shared, because it will always be respected.
Look forward to writing with you.
ThisDiamond

FlyingCloud
Member
since 2003-04-28
Posts 151
A little place inside my head
22 posted 2003-05-16 05:17 PM


A great opening poem at passions! Welcome.

This poem struck me hard emotionally because of things that had happened to people I know.

^~^If we cannot live so as to be happy, let us least live so as to deserve it.~*~
Immanuel Hermann Fichte

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