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Open Poetry #34
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Ratleader
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Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
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0 posted 2005-01-09 11:41 PM


Lights Out

Something intimidating about a public toilet,
especially with the lights off.
The dark stops me like a net and I’m groping
for a switch when they come up.
Of course. Thrifty here.
Motion sensor turns ‘em on, timer flips ‘em off.
I’d like to reverse ‘em:
move and it’s lights-out, wait for enlightenment.

Auto-flush too, I can see it from here.
Fun if I changed that too, but sloppy.
The room knows when I come, knows when I go;
Now there’s a thought.
Do they check it twice at Christmas?
The flush will have a timer too. If I don’t move
or take too long to move, things happen anyway.

But if I waited part of it would get out of sync,
shut down and leave me in the dark.
Think how surprised the next guy would be
when the lights came on and I’m standing here.
Or I could be normal, pee by the program and leave.

They missed something. The musak stays on.

[This message has been edited by Ratleader (01-10-2005 12:36 AM).]

© Copyright 2005 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved
A Romantic Heart
Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496
Forever In Your Heart
1 posted 2005-01-09 11:47 PM


When I first read your title, I was reminded by a game I use to play as a child, it was fun being in the dark with innocence then...

As an adult in a public bathroom, darkness would be a scary thing...especially wihout a way to turn the lights back on...

Your poem speaks to me about life and how there has to be an equal balance in all things...all things must work together and in sync...

Like your new photo!

~ARH


Come,love all of me, mind, body, spirit..feel my passion, taste of me, be filled completely!


Martie
Moderator
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
2 posted 2005-01-09 11:59 PM


Ed

Introspective feeling to this...but I can't quite put my finger on it, like it though.  It is so much easier to control the environment, then have it control you...maybe that's it...yeah, I think that's it.  

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
3 posted 2005-01-10 06:11 AM


made me think here...


LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

4 posted 2005-01-10 07:05 AM


hehehhe, yup yup yup, public restrooms are a very scarey place....in the dark....but perhaps it's only a frame of mind?

Morning Ed....as always, it's always a wise lesson learned reading you.

Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
5 posted 2005-01-10 08:08 AM


but...some of the funniest things are written in bathrooms....yanno?...I saw something written on a prophylactic machine that read: "This is the worst chewing gum I've ever tasted"..another..."For refund, insert baby here".......I saw one on a mirror at the science bldg restroom at the University of Alabama...somebody had written "THINK" on the mirror....somebody else drew an arrow to the sink and then wrote "THOAP" with an arrow to the soap dispenser.....sounds like a Toerag bathroom...ya think? This was a well thought out piece of work Rat....I enjoyed it
Soulfisher
Member
since 2005-01-07
Posts 226
where ever the fly fishing is good
6 posted 2005-01-10 08:15 AM


rat leader this was definitly a different topic and a very funny one at that. just remember to leave the sign above the urnals that read MARINES DONT EAT THE WHITE CANDY
suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
7 posted 2005-01-10 01:59 PM


move and it’s lights-out, wait for enlightenment.

Auto-flush too, I can see it from here.
Fun if I changed that too, but sloppy.

Your ability to find poetry of substance in the most trite situations is a constant source of amazement... and delight. *S* From introspective ponderings to snickers and back again... absolutely excellent! *S*

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

8 posted 2005-01-10 03:18 PM


Public restrooms are scary even with the lights on.

I enjoy where your mind takes me Ed.

Thank you.

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~

Startime55
Member Elite
since 2003-04-05
Posts 2148
Alberta, Canada
9 posted 2005-01-10 03:23 PM


*giggling* It's amazing how such deep thoughts can be inspired by a toilet...Wonderful writing...

Beki
Senior Member
since 1999-09-15
Posts 1569
Newport Beach, CA, USA
10 posted 2005-01-11 03:36 PM


to know you could change it if you wanted to -- what power LOL  enjoyed
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
11 posted 2005-01-11 03:44 PM


The musak stay on...LOL....figures eh?
Love this..thanks for the chuckles and making me think.
Hugs~

In the midst of winter,
I found there lives within me..
an invincible summer.

Ratleader
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Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
12 posted 2005-01-11 03:53 PM


Just goes to show you, no matter how perfect the system, there's always room for improvement....

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

Aenimal
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350
the ass-end of space
13 posted 2005-01-12 11:22 AM


lol at you and of course at Toe
Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
14 posted 2005-01-12 02:17 PM


ohhh...lights out in a public bathroom sends me into heart failure....

I am scared of toilets...

must have been bad pottie training..

Very funny stuff...

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

vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
15 posted 2005-01-12 04:39 PM


enjoyed
JL
Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128
Texas, USA
16 posted 2005-01-12 04:44 PM


Had me rolling on the floor with laughter with this one!
Heehee… Haahaa…  Too funny.

JL


*Alli4000*
Deputy Moderator 10 Tours
Member Elite
since 2004-03-21
Posts 3188
The World of Poetry
17 posted 2005-01-12 07:11 PM


*laugh* Loved This!

~Alli~

Happy 2005!

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