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Open Poetry #31
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Utility Man
| Open Poetry #31 |
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Utility Man |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass 
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Utility Man There’s no glamour in it, no wheeled tornado ripping down the blacktop, only the need to make it strong, a utility not an adventure, then use it like you planned and hold it together for as long as it takes. It is a symphony promulgated in tones of what works, what can pass for permanence in a world of jangled entropy where flash is the name of a hero and Darwin strikes hard at any man who dares claim normal as his passion. The real insults every sense leaves a longing for the solid iron of thought to win out even once over the quick pink steel of bad for fun and beggared passion in a clown suit fashioned to seem bereft in the exact center of plenty. Oh save us all from ordinary if the worship of bizarre has defined itself so, and a close look into the bazaar of senses shows basic gray monsterous, standing sharp as a castle guard in sheer contrast to the whelming kaleid of nincompoop pastel and augmented fluoroshock. I’ll be the utility man, build plain and useful and complete from the materials I have, and though I try for more there’s a base that won’t flow like mercury or a false friend, seeking the lowest and bringing nothing but the heavy silver poison of calculated obsolescence. And so I make life as I must, use it as I have to do, and you will use it too, that much I know. If you don’t trust yours, mine’s waiting. It isn’t stunning, isn’t fast, durability its only redeeming quality. Paint it as you will, the color returns; run it as you will, it will last. |
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| © Copyright 2004 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Ericc Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178 |
Excellent write! Eric |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ed "There’s no glamour in it, no wheeled tornado ripping down the blacktop, only the need to make it strong, a utility not an adventure, then use it like you planned and hold it together for as long as it takes." No glamour needed to make it good, and you are that, both as a man and a poet! |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I stole a moment from the werk monster to peek at this earlier... and have ached to get back to it ever since! LOL Your poetry is definitely a boost to my productivity... or at least my diligence! *S* The real insults every sense leaves a longing for the solid iron of thought to win out even once over the quick pink steel of bad for fun and beggared passion in a clown suit fashioned to seem bereft in the exact center of plenty. I know I'm going to end up quoting most of your lines back to you... I've read the second verse so many times and loved it more with every reading. *S* But the images you present... simply breathtaking! *S* kaleid of nincompoop pastel and augmented fluoroshock. Like this... perfect! *S* And so I make life as I must, use it as I have to do, and you will use it too, that much I know. If you don’t trust yours, mine’s waiting. It isn’t stunning, isn’t fast, durability its only redeeming quality. Paint it as you will, the color returns; run it as you will, it will last. It's the ending that makes this so special... reminding us that flash just hurts the eyes... glow lights a life. *S* Beautiful work, my friend! |
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Grover Senior Member
since 2004-01-27
Posts 1967London, ON, Canada |
Nincompoop-- haven't heard that word in a long time!! Bravo, very good work!! |
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Sadelite Member Elite
since 2003-10-11
Posts 2519 |
I’ll be the utility man, build plain and useful and complete from the materials I have, and though I try for more there’s a base that won’t flow like mercury or a false friend, seeking the lowest and bringing nothing but the heavy silver poison of calculated obsolescence. This is so well penned! This could stand on its own! Another creative write. ~Sadelite~ |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
so many feelings I get from this...hard to explain |
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Kazm Member
since 2003-11-13
Posts 99 |
I've been gone but I remember some of the people who are the best. That's you. Kaz |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
It is a symphony promulgated in tones of what works, what can pass for permanence in a world of jangled entropy where flash is the name of a hero and Darwin strikes hard at any man who dares claim normal as his passion. Oh... I am GLAD this one came up for another round. *S* It is one of my favorites... for the word play is as incredible as the images... and yet there's such substance. *S* Like PS said... so many feelings... including an appreciation for durability and steadfastness. *S* |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Ed - Please remind me not to use your name in any of my roastings - I've got a feeling the response poem would be quite wicked - lol. Great poem - I can only begin to imagine what a duet between you and Doreen would be like - amazing. |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
glad this one came back up |
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Pilgrimage Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945Texas, USA |
That's all I ever wanted. Not fancy idiocy, but something that works. I'm not sure it's findable. I like your poem, the construction, the tone, and especially what you say in it. Nan (Pilgrim variety) |
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Richy Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 3050 |
Another great one Ed! I hope you and yours have a wonderful Valentines Day! Richy  |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Every stanza, perfection in my book. It works well. Happy V-Day, RatL! |
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steavenr Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058 |
missed this one...great write...loved the lines: "there’s a base that won’t flow like mercury or a false friend, seeking the lowest and bringing nothing but the heavy silver poison of calculated obsolescence." how indictingly descriptive...well penned |
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