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Open Poetry #33
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Ratleader
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0 posted 2004-08-17 06:05 PM



The Cards

Faces, faces, turn the cards;
sun moon starlight, slanting hard
in out through the window leaves door,
in the meadow where the street lamps flare
and the trees bear a harvest of acorns and nails.

Aces, aces, deuce and trey,
sunlight, moonlight, what are they
when the time bubble splits in two in four;
sand on the water on the transient air
and the whales finding grass where plankton fails?

Turning, turning, clubs and spades,
seabird flies where eagle wades;
will it meld, will it fold, turn back once more
through the peon eons with a time to spare
for the sundrench roses and the moonlit sails?

Faces, aces, mark them all;
they’ll turn equal where they fall.

© Copyright 2004 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved
Martie
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1 posted 2004-08-17 06:10 PM


Oh...I like this Ed!  Especially:

"in the meadow where the street lamps flare
and the trees bear a harvest of acorns and nails."

Love the sing/song feel of it...makes me want to dig out my jump rope.  It's wonderful to see you moving in new directions with your poetry!  


Pell
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2 posted 2004-08-17 06:16 PM


Funny that Martie mentioned jumprope, I was thinking that very thing. I too am looking forward to seeing where this takes you.


(Martie, are you psychic? lol).

Ratleader
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3 posted 2004-08-17 06:17 PM


Yes -- she is.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
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Startime55
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4 posted 2004-08-17 06:19 PM


I agree that the music of this poem makes me think of jumprope....well done...

Ratleader
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5 posted 2004-08-17 06:21 PM


I was trying for a chanting feel...wanted it to be like there was a tom-tom beating in the background.....

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
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miscellanea
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OH
6 posted 2004-08-18 12:50 PM


enjoyed this, Ed.  
           miscellanea

passing shadows
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7 posted 2004-08-18 02:46 AM


yep
Kaoru
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8 posted 2004-08-18 03:23 AM


There was a chant here, as I read it. It moreso made me think of the witch about the cauldron, and I'm not saying the words themselves resembled that. However, and whatever. I enjoyed this muchly.
iliana
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9 posted 2004-08-18 04:56 AM


  Enjoyed, RatL!   ....jo
LeeJ
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10 posted 2004-08-18 06:48 AM


I don't know, perhaps it's my mindset this morning, but does this speak of another dimension walking right beside us?  

Interesting write Ed, very much enjoyed

Sunshine
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11 posted 2004-08-18 07:07 AM


Reminded me of many things...as Martie said, a child's jumprope song...

Superman's Bizarro world...

and it also reminded me of the resolve of a poet to stretch their wings...and fly.

Ratleader
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12 posted 2004-08-18 07:33 AM


Bingo, LeeJ! That's exactly what I'm talking about here!

....and another for Sunshine, cuz it's an announcement by me that I want to turn over those cards. You're absolutely right, Sunny One.

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suthern
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13 posted 2004-08-18 10:00 AM


Ratleader's rhyming... and I love it! *G*

And the rhythm is magnetic... whether chanted or not, it casts a spell. *S*

"and the trees bear a harvest of acorns and nails."

There are so many incredible images in this... and so many layers... but this line in particular is so striking it feels like a mini-poem cloaked in the larger whole...

Soleil Noir
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14 posted 2004-08-18 10:54 AM


Look at you...
Dark Angel
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15 posted 2004-08-18 04:57 PM


oh especially loved those ending lines Mr Rat.

How are you friend?

Maree

The clouds never expect it when it rains, but the sea, changes colour, but the sea, does not change.
~Stevie Nicks~

Kazm
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16 posted 2004-08-18 06:18 PM


Your words can be so complicated sometimes, but they are a pleasure to read. I could feel this poem like a vibration inside me even though I didn't understand it all.

                                                 Kaz

elfine
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since 2004-06-08
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traveling
17 posted 2004-08-29 10:29 PM


I love this.  Reminds me a little of the sing-song parts of Vachel Lindsay, particularly since it shows us another world.

"they'll turn equal where they fall ..."

The equality of the cards?  Regardless of their "rank" (or perceived truth-telling) they are equally important for us to notice?

wranx
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Moved from a shack to a barn
18 posted 2004-08-30 12:50 PM


Nice hand Ratdude. *smily thingy*
miscellanea
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OH
19 posted 2004-08-30 01:00 AM


Ed,
   I looked at this earlier and was in awe, but pretty uncomfortable with the old leg!  I am glad I went back again for another read as it echos being upside down in an inside out kind of place, if you know what I mean!  Great writing.  I like your versatility!
                miscellanea  

ice
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20 posted 2004-08-30 06:53 AM


Very nice
Reminds me of Tolkien....a chant, perhaps by a more sophisticated Gullum...
enjoyed the cadence and content..
------ice
  ><>

Come read to me some poem,
Some simple and heartfelt lay,
That shall soothe this restless feeling
And banish the thoughts of day.
Longfellow

Krawdad
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21 posted 2004-08-30 12:45 PM


Shuffle 'em up!
I'd like to have a hand in this deal.

e

LeeJ
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22 posted 2004-08-30 02:06 PM


I'm happy this came up again, and saw your reply Ed...I've believed that for years, although, I also believe there are many dimensions floating there...not just one...again. would like to say, a poem very well done...I liked.

Hugs and smiles...happy to see that I'm not the only excentric thinker...was afraid perhaps I might need some prozac...hehehe

ecrivan
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my own state
23 posted 2004-08-30 09:06 PM


how I used to enjoy building houses of cards...enjoyed the read


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