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Open Poetry #30
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Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California

0 posted 2003-12-28 12:15 PM


The soft place  my heart,
blue and green  clear eyed, my son,
counts the letters in the word abandonment
and though it is covered with the gauze of years
it hits me and I realize when it was;

he was just a young soccer player
with the grace within his limbs of tall grass in wind.  (not that I didn’t always know,
but time moves on to other things)
He, a jump into the air, no despair,
his foot an angle just to crease the edge of air
and touch the mark of ball.

And I was so intent on covering him
with watching, listening and his own worth
that I didn’t completely see
the hole his dad had left that bled.

and now so far distant from that time,
he eases out the word within a phone call touched,
“abandonment”
sent me back to the chain link fence where is dad, high on drugs
to keep him from dealing his one defense,
his eyes unfocused on the son
who leaped in front of game he won.

To please him, yes it would be that, for there was never enough things that made gold stars to win his father’s hat; not even the path through degrees in psychology took a piece of gain from lack.

And so he breathed it out with a word
“abandonment”
my son with his own children now, seeing himself and how his father talked around his feelings
until his family was on a shelf, stacked like books all bound in the head of learned words and knowing how many names escape for what he is, was about to do the same with another generation….don’t touch, don’t weep, don’t declare your heart broken was, that even newborn gifts can’t change the defense that his childhood fit.  

I can see it again in the child of his who brushes the crumbs from her fingers, knowing that there are some things that can’t be fixed.

[This message has been edited by Martie (12-28-2003 12:17 AM).]

© Copyright 2003 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved
Magnus
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since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
1 posted 2003-12-28 12:19 PM


I understand this...I know this...  


Thanx Martie...a lot of heart within this
write...tons of it...

Midnitesun
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since 2001-05-18
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Gaia
2 posted 2003-12-28 12:21 PM


OMG, but this is a heartache felt right through this PC screen.
I can see her brushing away those crumbs, and feel the pain.
I know this scene.

iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
3 posted 2003-12-28 12:28 PM


Martie--I identify with this only from the standpoint of a daughter, not a son, almost down to a T -- I hope old wounds will heal. ....... lol
Ratleader
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Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
4 posted 2003-12-28 12:30 PM


This piece has always been one of my favorites, showing so much of the introspective side of our western lady. Thank you for posting it so everyone can see.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

kaile
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since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146
singapore
5 posted 2003-12-28 12:31 PM


i enjoyed this "outpouring of emotions", yet dignified, rant.

until his family was on a shelf, stacked like books all bound in the head of learned words and knowing how many names escape for what he is, was about to do the same with another generation. don't touch, don't weep, don't declare your heart broken was, that even newborn gifts can't change the defense that his childhood fit.

i liked the way how i had to speed-read through this intense paragraph...sorry that you are feeling this way though...

hugs

icebox
Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383
in the shadows
6 posted 2003-12-28 12:55 PM



This was hard to read, I can not imagine how hard it was to write.

It is true that some things once broken can not be fixed; memories, good or bad, are still time gone by; understanding does not always stop the pain.  I think it is important to learn young how to navigate friendships so that perhaps a few may provide safe harbor.  There may be a point beyond which we become too old to learn.

Greeneyes
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Member Rara Avis
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903
In Your Poetic Mind
7 posted 2003-12-28 01:23 AM


I cry everytime I read you...its all good....gads a part of me is written through this, I havent faced it yet....hugssssss


Lauren~

This morning there’s a calm I can’t explain
By the time I recognize this moment it will be gone,  
I will bend light pretending it lingers on

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa
8 posted 2003-12-28 05:15 AM


So sad, Martie, but so beautifully written!  Behind each smile a life resides to make us stop and think awhile of how each one of us survive when fate decides it's time to cry!
Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
9 posted 2003-12-28 07:52 AM


Oh Martie .... this goes right into my heart where I try to come to terms with the permanent conflict reigning between my son and his father.
There must be a way out ...
Deeply touching write.
Love and hugs. Margherita

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
10 posted 2003-12-28 08:11 AM



...but in his mother,
he finds all.

Well done, m'sis...

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
11 posted 2003-12-28 08:18 AM


Martie
A part of life my dear we wish never happened. A touching write.

ice
Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404
Pennsylvania
12 posted 2003-12-28 12:51 PM


Martie
Although I have not experienced what this word implies first hand, I now no more about its painful meaning.

Thank you for enlightening me, even if it is a sad light....

______ice
  ><>

Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

13 posted 2003-12-28 03:20 PM


This stirs the emotions.

Martie.

Maree

"I can't believe
I've lost the very best of me"

Natalie Merchant


Goodknight
Member Elite
since 2002-06-15
Posts 2386
Ohio, USA
14 posted 2003-12-30 05:40 PM


Martie - you reveal an aching heart and a hurting spirit in this poem.  You write so powerfully of the realities of the real world - so very well done and so full of you and your spirit - loved this - Paul
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