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Open Poetry #32
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Ratleader
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0 posted 2004-04-20 01:26 AM


boy, and gravel


        throw
                                       throw
                                throw
         whiskey flask in the ditch
                     throw
                                            throw
                some day
he will walk through those same mall stores
                       throw
or around those very buildings in the wetcool dark      
                          throw
                                          throw
it’s a flat crush glass stuck together by the label
                   throw
                                             throw
         those valets
they will see him from their blacktop stand
         of pipe and light bulbs
                    throw
                                       bird
                  bird on the wire there       throw
                                       throw
     they don’t have his keys yet
                                                    throw
             off it flys into a torpid August
                      throw
                                  throw
now an edge of whiskey
           or the stink of bruised ragweed
                                       throw
the label still holding
                                     throw
                                                          throw
        those fashion ladies accentuating their way
                                into Robinson’s May
      throw
will be so obvious then
                                        throw
                 pick a leaf, hit it
                                                  now another
                                             throw
facing away from the gray house
             the driveway bulldozed in through the sumac
    throw
there’ll be magazines then and
                    yes those flatbelly oriental girls
                                         throw
               their legs too fresh, library tan
                         and lights shining up from the floor
            throw
        the far dust roll is a car coming
                                                                     throw
tee shirt and acid sweat
               go behind the pokeberries when it passes
                                         throw
the patterns will be there, the white marble parquet tiles
                                                          throw
               throw
a truck came last year with a load of rocks
                                            throw
                           and a road grader, that was all
throw                            throw
waiting for DKNY        Brooks Brothers           brothers
                   throw                                 throw hard
          scent of glass in the ditch
                                                  throw
                   hit the future and
                                                                    throw



© Copyright 2004 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved
Sunnyone
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since 2000-07-06
Posts 5334
Staffordshire, England
1 posted 2004-04-20 04:22 AM


For some reason, I get the impression that there is a lot more implied here than just a little boy throwing rocks at a whiskey bottle!!!  Yes, I did enjoy this one, and am headed back for another read!!!!  ~S~

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life

passing shadows
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since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
2 posted 2004-04-20 04:28 AM


hit the future and...throw

I'll have to study this one more when I'm in a philosophical mood

Sunshine
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since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
3 posted 2004-04-20 07:03 AM


Ed, this poem wrote itself...it worked it's way through the muscles and sinew of that young boys arm and followed life with each arc through the sky as the stone left, lifted, landed...

an amazing poem, a wonderful presentation...I swore I could hear your every word aloud...

MGROVES
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california
4 posted 2004-04-20 10:26 AM


an interesting write!


Earth Angel
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since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
5 posted 2004-04-20 10:40 AM


I think Sunshine summed up my feelings as well! ~ Mind you, she did a better job of it than I could have! lol


EA

Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
6 posted 2004-04-20 10:56 AM


Ed

There is a desperation in this...of time ticking into the future and change, change...and all the rocks in the world cannot stop time or change. I loved this!  It is so good to see you posting again, dear friend...I've missed you!

Kaoru
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where the wild flowers grow
7 posted 2004-04-20 11:02 AM


This poem is great.. not only the substance of it, but the presentation.

You're one of the greats, I tell ya.

Ratleader
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8 posted 2004-04-20 11:13 AM


There's a strip mall at that very spot now, the little house (still gray I think) is on the little rise behind it. Suburban Kansas City has spread that far now and the gravel roads have become streets called 72nd and Prospect.

Back then, there were no prospects, or so it seemed. Now I live midway between Disneyland and Surf City USA, but I've still got a hellish throwing arm.....

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

Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
9 posted 2004-04-20 12:15 PM


Oh believe it or not I rememeber doing exactly this same thing on my grandparents farm...didnt get in near as much trouble there as I did in the city and the building next door had pane after pane after pane of glass just waiting for that little piece of gravel....
Ericc
Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178

10 posted 2004-04-20 02:46 PM


Wow....this is so creatively written and expressed....great write!

Eric

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

11 posted 2004-04-20 10:21 PM


Ahh Ed, a most wonderful write and the presentation too.

Enjoyed m'friend

Mxx

Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?

Stevie Nicks

dingusjr
Member
since 2003-09-24
Posts 415
Missouri
12 posted 2004-04-21 12:19 PM


YES, Ed!  I have been to that spot, too...
pathetic in my throws.

BluesSerenade
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since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
13 posted 2004-04-21 02:04 AM


You threw it right down the middle Ed,
but ya know,
it's your shoulder I lean too.  

iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
14 posted 2004-04-21 02:05 AM


What a yarn you've "pitched" here, RatL!  My brother was the one with the good throwing arm, unfortunately, not me, and at times I am somewhat envious, I confess.  But, what I walk away with from this poem, is definitely befitting to your title.     
Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
15 posted 2004-04-21 08:15 AM


Yep...this can provoke thoughts in many directions....and I think your thoughts were all over the place on this one.....good write, I emailed ya, it's a pathetic email at that....in fact, just delete it..you know I'd be a pessimist but it probably wouldn't work out well anyway...
suthern
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Posts 20723
Louisiana
16 posted 2004-04-26 12:45 PM


That hellish throwing arm packs a powerful pen! *S* I love this, my friend... Your imagery is so vivid that the impact of reading isn't just visual... the smells of bruised leaves and broken whiskey bottles, dust and boy sweat seep through the screen. The format is perfect... in fact... the poem is perfect. *S*
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