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Open Poetry #34
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GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought

0 posted 2004-11-30 01:51 AM



How do you measure nothing?
The weight and the width...
The length of lonely?
There's no way to scale
shadows or tears,
and it's always
been impossible to explain
that black isn't a color.

I carry it in my pocket and
dangle it across my chest,
carved in skin...
Wearing it like
a little girl
too ashamed to say
her daddy beats her.

It's a pale black
- not grey,
but I'm not sure
how it should be explained.
It's lifeless...
Sometimes whispering of grief.
Other times stagnant
and putrid like death.

Black is far from imperfect.
And easy to cradle,
it curves across my spine
with rage. Like passion,
it seems beautiful,
but leaves me
all alone.

He was a man of sorrows
...I am a girl of tears.

© Copyright 2004 GG - All Rights Reserved
passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
1 posted 2004-11-30 05:20 AM


Alyssa, you dont have to explain it to me, I know just the color you are talking about

*hugging you*

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

2 posted 2004-11-30 09:08 AM


How do you measure nothing?
The weight and the width...
The length of lonely?
There's no way to scale
shadows or tears,
and it's always
been impossible to explain
that black isn't a color.

===============================

Oh my---
OH how I wish I had wrote that.....


sometimes we read and we simply lack words.... but that will serve proof to the power of the poem.....

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

3 posted 2004-11-30 09:16 AM


Alyassa

Black is far from imperfect.
And easy to cradle,
it curves across my spine
with rage. Like passion,
it seems beautiful,
but leaves me
all alone.

Yes, it does sometimes, but we can fight it, and what is going on...we can....
Believe me....your father is a human being, nothing more, nothing less....who needs professional counseling....what he is doing, is wrong...but somehow I believe that all he knows....and needs to be taught, there are other ways of dealing with things...

God bless you, a very very powerfully written poem....

Luv
Lee J

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
4 posted 2004-11-30 10:04 AM


Alyssa Z....You are so beautiful

if I could reach through here I would give you the warmest hug..and tell you everything will be alright...

(wonderful writing)

M


Susan
Member Ascendant
since 2004-03-27
Posts 5104
walking the surreal
5 posted 2004-11-30 10:44 AM


Wow - this is incredibly moving - and tears fill my heart -

I hope someday you will know the meaning of yellow - its sun filled hope dappled drape -

Hugs - Susan

Happiness isn't something that happens to you, it's created from within you.  Joy is a state of mind.

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

6 posted 2004-11-30 10:48 AM


wow Alyssa, this is an awesome write and would be a perfect example of my color challenge.  Even if it wasn't written for the challenge, it is awesome!
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
7 posted 2004-11-30 10:56 AM


There are certain poems, not too many,
but once in awhile...that I read
and they leave me so full of emotion
I am speechless.
This is one of them.
Well done!

~ Let peace begin with me... ~

babygirlwlove
Senior Member
since 2004-10-10
Posts 1180
New York City
8 posted 2004-11-30 11:08 AM


outstanding scribe...how do you measure lonely, indeed....

**babygirl**

**Intoxicant to the SouL**

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
9 posted 2004-11-30 02:23 PM


Alyssa, please remember that black also offers protection ~ that is why it is worn by nuns and priests.

I felt your words to my very core. You vividly expressed your pain and loneliness ~ and with so much emotion.

I embrace you in loving arms.

Remember, that the dark is followed by the dawn.


Linda

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
10 posted 2004-11-30 02:34 PM


"How do you measure nothing?
The weight and the width...
The length of lonely?
There's no way to scale
shadows or tears,
and it's always
been impossible to explain
that black isn't a color."

Brilliant.

I think black is a color...I can feel it, touch it, wear it, see it, and it can consume me.

Viable.

and sometimes my best friend.  

you are not alone.

"cast me gently into the morning, for the night has been unkind"
~Sarah McLachlan~

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
11 posted 2004-11-30 02:42 PM



I wear black with great regularity...
it seems to highlight everything else
in my life...

well done, m'friend...very well done.

Suetang
Member Ascendant
since 2001-03-07
Posts 5187
Melbourne, Australia
12 posted 2004-11-30 06:12 PM


Oh, Alyssa!

Your words touch my heart every time and this was no exception.  I wish for you much love and happiness this Christmas.

Take care........Sue

I am in motion
I am blue
Love is an ocean
I'm anchored in you
- Shawn Mullins

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

13 posted 2004-12-01 07:59 AM


How do you measure nothing?
The weight and the width...
The length of lonely?
There's no way to scale
shadows or tears,
and it's always
been impossible to explain
that black isn't a color.


Absolutely love this... Brava!

Maree

into this night i wonder, it's morning that i dread, another day of knowing of, the path i fear to tread.
~Sarah McLachlan~

*Alli4000*
Deputy Moderator 10 Tours
Member Elite
since 2004-03-21
Posts 3188
The World of Poetry
14 posted 2004-12-01 04:48 PM


"How do you measure nothing?
The weight and the width...
The length of lonely?
There's no way to scale
shadows or tears,"


Love this part especially.
Great write!

~Alli~

*:.AIM = Alli4000.:*
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened...

GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
15 posted 2004-12-06 12:02 PM


Dix?
You always understand Thank you...

JM,
Thank you I'm glad you liked it. I really wasn't pleased with this one (it doesn't flow well in a few places). But I was too exhausted, and frankly just didn't quite care enough lol, to fix it. The meaning is still there I s'pose. I hope. Anyyyway. Again, Thank you and glad you liked!

Always, Alyssa

He was a man of sorrows
...I am a girl of tears.

GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
16 posted 2004-12-06 12:10 PM


LeeJ,
though I guess it really does sound real, the analogy part really is just an analogy. While my father and I certainly aren't the, uh, best of friends... he's never laid a finger on me and wouldn't. He could still learn some other ways of dealing with things, though. I'm happy with any kind of translation to it, but just wanted to make sure you knew that part. Guess this is sort of just a personal explanation symbolisms of death and grief and loneliness and the sort. Thanks for the compliments Take care...

M,
I've seen so many people live years and years, and at the end of their life... not everything is alright. I've seen as many who profess the opposite, though. I sure hope everything ends okay. Not just for me but all the others who live and breathe and cry at night. You're always so kind. Thank you...

Always, Alyssa

He was a man of sorrows
...I am a girl of tears.

GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
17 posted 2004-12-06 12:14 PM


Susan,
Wow, Yellow does sound lovely. Maybe someday... I hope. And I pray that is the color you know of the most. Thank you for those sweet words...

Gentle Spirit,
didn't even see the challenge! (Busy and hardly make it around the forums lately.) But I'll certainly go and look at it now. Color is such a poignent, powerful thing. Thanks for reading and replying

Always, Alyssa

He was a man of sorrows
...I am a girl of tears.

GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
18 posted 2004-12-06 12:18 PM


Enchantress,
then my job is done And thank you so much. I'm honored.

babygirl,
I was trying to think of how to explain lonely and that's all I could question myself with... so I wrote the poem for that thought moslty. Glad you enjoyed it

Always, Alyssa

He was a man of sorrows
...I am a girl of tears.

GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
19 posted 2004-12-06 12:24 PM


Linda,
I've been told before that I'm far from a realist and am deep into habits of pessimism.  Guess it looks that way sometimes when I write like this. I'm a realist, though. Unfortunately, right now in my life, reality is rather bleak. The only protection I've found in black so far is that of a cold, cold comfort. A grief... only good because it means understanding of pain. It's been a long night, I do hope morning comes soon. And I hope all is well for you...

Susan,
Sometimes my best friend, too. Someone who understands ...though I'm sorry for the pain that must mean you relate to. Thank you so much.

Always, Alyssa

He was a man of sorrows
...I am a girl of tears.

GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
20 posted 2004-12-06 12:29 PM


Sunshine,
Black does go well with most everything. I've been accused of wearing rather "colorless" clothes lately. I asked, simply, "Have you looked at life lately?" Oh yeah. "Good point." he said. Sometimes it just works like that. Glad you liked and thanks so much for taking your time to read and reply.

Sue,
Thank you! And I wish the same to you. Holidays can be so hard for those who grieve, but I hope you can enjoy it despite the blues that inevitable arrive for most.

Always, Alyssa

He was a man of sorrows
...I am a girl of tears.

GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
21 posted 2004-12-06 12:30 PM


Maree,
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you much

Alli,
hey there. Thanks for the reply. I always love knowing what parts people enjoy

Always, Alyssa

He was a man of sorrows
...I am a girl of tears.

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