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Open Poetry #29
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icebox
Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383
in the shadows

0 posted 2003-11-03 11:06 PM



Lester wheels
steady like rails,
throaty notes of quad exhaust,
free breathing Mikuni's
before the age of governmental guilt
and freedom lost,
the tires hiss in memory
on day long pavement still warm
in the pending chill of early darkness.

When I was younger,
a soft night's seductive whisper
could call me from a dead sleep
to chase the dragon
in the early mists of evening's dreams.  

The memory's enough,
it seems,
to drive me mad
on nights like this.  

Some want a home,
family,
a partner who is steady,
even if a little dull.  
Some crave the emptiness
that spills out full of promise
on lonely two lane blacktop
far from the city lights.  

By rights
I am too old to think these thoughts,
I ought to be deep in my cups,
wallowing somewhere in dotage,
but I read in a book long ago
that some adrenalin junkie,
English mountain climber,
had seen wild geese
flying over Mount Everest
through an early evening sky,
their shadows thrown by moonlight
reflected for the eye
on silver blue fields of snow.  

I've never known if it was true,
and I know
I would start to die at half that elevation,
but if it's true,
I know why
the wild geese fly so free and high
instead of getting slow and fat
in some lowland park without a view.  

It is November
yet it seems like if I close my thoughts,
and loose my dreams,
it could be Spring
forty years ago,
I start remembering when
just the scent of sun warmed road
would drive my blood faster;
I would need to see what was
just around the bend,
if there really was
an end to the road I was on.

We humans are so alike,
it's only fear that makes us
strike adventure from our hearts,
fear of our oppression
or of starvation
age or illness,
perhaps fear of pain,
yet pain's a feeling that cannot be recalled;
I was born to luxury
and raised within benign neglect,
I came to respect those who clawed their way
through every terror filled,
pain littered,
starvation riddled day,
maybe I could have spent my life
on silk pillows
waiting every day for something new.

Instead,
I always loved an engine
with more horsepower than my I.Q.,
one that could make me wonder
if I would survive at any earthly speed limit,
raised to the power of two,
with nothing but my leather wrapped skin
the rush of the wind
the endless throb of the engine
churning between my legs,
may Freud be damned
by the sense
that I was determined to try.  

Yes,
I know why the wild geese fly.

©2003 by icebox


[This message has been edited by icebox (11-04-2003 09:46 AM).]

© Copyright 2003 icebox - All Rights Reserved
Aenimal
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350
the ass-end of space
1 posted 2003-11-03 11:14 PM


may Freud be damned
by the sense
that I was determined to try.  

Yes,
I know why the wild geese fly.

grins brilliant ending..yes fear is our only god

Krawdad
Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597

2 posted 2003-11-03 11:35 PM


ah, but the rush . . .
when you test it
and you almost lose

only one other experience compares

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
3 posted 2003-11-03 11:55 PM


Icebox...This read like speed, faster and faster.  Wonderful and filled up high octane and wisdom writing, my friend!
wranx
Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn
4 posted 2003-11-04 12:21 PM


Very, very VERY well said...

Damn!

Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136
Mobile, AL
5 posted 2003-11-04 02:16 AM


GEEZ!!! Do you have a book? Can you make one..publish one? CAN I HAVE A COPY?

Your work amazes me and just pulls me right in.

I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!


passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
6 posted 2003-11-04 02:19 AM


you make me want to write like you
Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
7 posted 2003-11-04 09:39 AM


"When I was younger,
a soft night's seductive whisper
could call me from a dead sleep
to chase the dragon
in the early mists of evening's dreams.  

The memory's enough,
it seems,
to drive me mad
on nights like this"

Adjectives to describe this have not yet been formed...I am at a loss in regards to your intellect and understanding..

"if you won't let me fall for you
then you won't see the best that I would love to do for you"
~Dido~

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa
8 posted 2003-11-04 12:55 PM


Just remember that I'm first on the list for your book!  There's a bigger world out there waiting ... for you to be adventurous!
scorpio
Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178
right...there
9 posted 2003-11-04 02:22 PM


A powerfully thought-provoking write, Ice.  I enjoyed the trip.

believe in what your heart feels...

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
10 posted 2003-11-04 06:50 PM


{quote} start remembering when
just the scent of sun warmed road
would drive my blood faster;
I would need to see what was
just around the bend,
if there really was
an end to the road I was on.[/quote]

it seems that road still calls to your sense freedom

an outstanding write, m'friend

vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
11 posted 2003-11-04 06:53 PM


enjoyed
Greeneyes
Deputy Moderator 50 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903
In Your Poetic Mind
12 posted 2003-11-04 07:20 PM


now everytime I look up and see the geese flying overhead, I will indeed remember these words.....what an amazing piece this is....touching and full of emotion....
Lauren~


i carry your heart with me
i am never without it
you are what a moon has always meant sky of sky
the wonder that keeps stars apart-
e.e.cummings



[This message has been edited by Greeneyes (11-04-2003 08:44 PM).]

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