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Open Poetry #34
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Atoning Alone in the Terrified Air
| Open Poetry #34 |
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Atoning Alone in the Terrified Air |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533
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This philosopher, e’er lineal, an arrow stretched in flight not yet inclined to hit his target he lay beside me every night whispers things into my ears that fix me to a coffin pose, burgles eyes when dark invites, trundles peace from my repose He is torment, he is bane, his hectors mocking hiss disguised as would be lover exhaled words through puckered lips and he’s the devil too! eyes in dark can neither focus nor shutter old and grainy films he insists we watch together His thin smile, so like mine, always draws me in as he promises new scenes only flickering old sins, his mouth will shift sardonic at my notion that he’s rotten for lying like a lover to review what’s best forgotten Always then we tug between us two pair eyelids he would filch for he would not have me sheath eyes he’d honed to tapered pain as their glistening slopes that weep are the reason he remains they’re the only light he needs he must vanish if I sleep I return to played-out wrestling moves, the “Our Father,” the “forgive me,” warm bath of memories fading lusts, fool’s paradise-lottery’s hallucinogen, sunny places (never faces) I could trust, the chimera, simple farmer in a field, he mirrors me but strengthens as I age, his cruelty lengthens, I lessen my rage I vice my head with pillows swaddle sheet, blanket to my chin, my ears chant tired religion attempt to bar his coming in, tibia, elbow edge the mattress as away from him I spin hand clutches iron bed frame I won’t be dragged to where I’ve been He lay with me in adolescence, I ran into the cannabis cloud he pursued me through adulthood, I hid in bacchanalians crowd it’s clear he means to weary quarry for less and less is sleep allowed and all the while he films the story his target pumping weak but loud |
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| © Copyright 2004 Richard S. Wells jr. - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
What a write! Why not tell your Conscience to take a hike! ~ You've been there! Done that! Rehashing it all is interfering with your beauty sleep! ~ Which, btw, you don't really need by the look of your new photo!  An intriguing read into the tortured nights of a gifted poet ~ who has done a lot of research through living his colourful life!  Love, Peace, & Light, Linda  |
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msflame Member
since 2002-05-21
Posts 188 |
RS, really polished read. Enjoyed this. Your line breaks are good  |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
Thank you Linda. There's no real concern here. We'll just call this my "blue period." Even though I've been pushing words around for 4 or so years I still experiment, trying to find my voice and realize how little I know as I continue. As far as conscience goes, I've enough for everyone but have never murdered anyone or assaulted any women or children. MSFlame, you are new to me....hello and thanks for reading. While this wasn't totally "free verse" it was headed there. Line breaks are difficult to achieve but I'll keep trying. Thank you. |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
http://www.poets.org/poems/poems.cfm?prmID=2047 |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I too liked how you broke this Richard. I enjoyed looking at him from an entirely new perspective too. As a matter of fact, I could swear he looked back at me in the mirror the other day  Enjoyed this a great deal, no matter how melancholy it was. Ever notice "holy" on the end of that word? Perhaps there is some saving grace for us all in examing our sorrow? Let there be peace on earth ~ and let it begin with me |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
thought-provoking write |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
When reading such deeply personal poetry..I usually lack the words that would convey the true impact...the "poet" in me wants to say something profound...but then its hard to speak with a lump in ones throat... As always...your words leave deep impressions.... |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
This was so dog goned honest....espeically liked I return to played-out wrestling moves, the “Our Father,” the “forgive me,” warm bath of memories fading lusts, fool’s paradise-lottery’s hallucinogen, sunny places (never faces) I could trust, the chimera, simple farmer in a field, he mirrors me but strengthens as I age, his cruelty lengthens, I lessen my rage reminding us, human is imperfect...which first we should look at ourselves before we judge others... Life and people sometime can be cruel...real cruel...and yet, when we remember during these times, it's their growth patterns not ours, and first look in the mirror when we are tempted to judge another....and perhaps to, that is our personal lesson? Your a tremendous visual artist, combining life's miracles and joys, bitterness and pain. |
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