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| Dark Poetry #1 |
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Back in the World |
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DarkEternally New Member
since 2000-02-01
Posts 3 |
I took a shortcut through the blood To get back to you, But the house where I left you is empty now. You’ve packed up and moved on, Leaving this old photograph of the two of us, Taken before I left for Viet Nam. You’ve cut yourself out of it, Torn your half in pieces And lain them on the mantel, Where your knickknacks used to be: Those godawful Hummels you’d been saving for years And a small glass vial you said Contained your grandmother’s tears. A thick film of dust comes off on my fingers, When I rub them across the years That came to separate us. In a corner of the living room, facing a wall, I find my last painting of you. In it, you lie, naked, on the old iron bed, Your head hanging over the side, Your hair, flowing to the floor Like a wide black river. There Max, the cat, is curled In a gray, purring blur, All fur and gooseberry green eyes that stare at me, As if accusing me of some indiscretion He doesn’t dare mention. Suddenly, he meows loudly And rises as if he’s been spooked, Runs through the house, Then swoops back to his place beside you, And beside the night table, On which I’ve painted a heart on a white plate, And a knife and fork on a red checkered napkin. You hate the painting. You say I’m perverse To paint you that way, and worse, an amateur. “Do you want to tear my heart out and eat it like those Aztecs used to do, so you can prove you don’t need me?” you ask. “But I do need you,” I say. “That’s the point.” “I don’t get it,” you say, As you dress for some party You claim you are going to, but I’m on to your game. It’s your lover who’s waiting for you. “I know who he is,” I say, “But I don’t know his name,” Then I run to the bathroom, Grab a handful of Trojans And throw them at you. You don’t come back, until you get word That I’ve enlisted in the army. I’m packing when you show up. “You heard,” I say And you tell me that it’s perverse of me too. “Who are you kidding, you, a soldier? And what’s that?” you ask. I give you the small canvass I’ve just finished. “A sample of my new work,” I say. “There’s nothing on it,” you say. “That’s right,” I tell you. “It’s white like the plate, after I ate your heart.” “Don’t start,” you say, “don’t.” We part with a brief kiss like two strangers Who miss the act of pressing one mouth Against another, yet resist, resist. We part on a day just like this, A day that seems as if it will never end, In an explosion that sends my body Flying through the air in the white glare of morning, When without warning, I step on a landmine And regain consciousness to find I’m a notation on a doctor’s chart that says, BK amputee. Now I imagine myself racing through the house Just as Max did once, Only to return to myself, to the bed, The night table, the canvass in my lap And my brush poised above it. When Max, toothless and so old, His hair comes out in clumps, when I touch him, Half sits, half collapses beside my wheelchair, I begin to paint, first a black background, Then starting from the left side, A white line, beside a red line, Beside a white, beside a red, Each one getting smaller and smaller, Until they disappear off the edge of the canvas. I title it “Amateur.” I call it art. Al Watch as my shadow spreads at the speed of darkness, so dark and incomplete, like a celloless unaccompaniment. -DarkE |
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| © Copyright 2000 DarkEternally - All Rights Reserved | |||
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childomine Senior Member
since 2000-01-25
Posts 818st. petersburg, FL |
I got chills reading this! Oh you've touched my heart with your words!! |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
this is extraordinary...your words paint portraits as well as your artists brush. call this work art too...but definatly NOT by an amature. Welcome to Passions, youll like it here...the people are so supportive and great.I look forward to reading more of your poems. take care, janet marie Some things cannot be explained by verses that rhyme, They are not measured by the commitment of time. Some emotions run too deep to be described by words, Forgiveness and understanding- remain the most beautiful words ever heard. Janet Marie |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
After I read this, I was quiet for a couple of minutes. It sure made an impression on me and left me wondering....will you ever heal ? Great translation of feelings !  |
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Isis Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-06
Posts 6296Sunny Queensland |
Wonderful descriptions here, so vivid. The reader sees it all so easily. I was there when you surveyed the empty house. I was enthralled, if you keep writing this way, my soul will be sated. Hope you write more of these Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen closely. ~Isis~ (Sovereign of the Spirit) |
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TanAngel Member
since 2000-02-01
Posts 168Oviedo, Florida, USA |
Hey, welcome!! Great poem!!Just like your painting your going to start over... |
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Justbleu Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329Oregon, Originally From Alaska :) |
Wow!! This sure is something!! You sent chills all through me with this!! A picture of pain painted right in front of me!! Sooo sad!! I liked this!! Hope to see more!! Take Care Bridgette Creation of woman from the rib of Man: She was not made from his head to top him; nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him; but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved." |
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danni Senior Member
since 1999-11-20
Posts 688wisconsin |
sorry......double post!  [This message has been edited by danni (edited 02-05-2000).] |
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danni Senior Member
since 1999-11-20
Posts 688wisconsin |
You have left me speechless with heartbreaking poetic story. A wonderful work. I too welcome you to passions. Something has to change. An undeniable dilemma. But I am not a burden anyone should bear. -Tool- |
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Jannel Member
since 2000-01-18
Posts 492Muncie, IN, USA |
Speechless... this is so real. Jannel |
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catwomen Junior Member
since 2000-02-05
Posts 49 |
You have incredible talent. You poem is so vivid my mind races as I read it. Such a powerful poem, I look forward to reading more |
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JOY 14 Senior Member
since 1999-09-22
Posts 1419Wisconsin USA |
Wow! Your poem unfolds like a story. I was enthralled and couldn't stop reading it. Such imagery, and so unique. Wow again and a welcome also! Joy |
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