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gemjop
Member Elite
since 2002-11-18
Posts 2587
Pencilveinia, USA

0 posted 2005-08-22 10:43 AM



I am younger than him
over on the pavement,

Younger than the cracks in his concrete
where older ladies fall
in winter
no one to hold them

(with no one to hold me)

no windbitten flesh of arm
to grip…

You can fall into his cracks,
sooner than his eyes


and stories of his youth
will bloom
in your heartbreak

they will

make you offer an arm
or two...

even,
in summer.

His cereal complexion reminds me
of the breakfast I left
not even as far as in the bowl

(he is disgruntled I still eat)

how he is golden
until you taste him,

no substitute sustinence
gritty everafter.

Twenty five,
and fighting through the lager lout syndromes
battles of self-delight

he is worse off than me
further bedraggled
deeper in sleep

but he would have me believe

I am drowning in shelter
full of naive clouds


he would spur
self hatred
in the secure locks of
unconditional

if he saw you a pound too heavy
pocketed or in flesh

either.

The whites of my eyes
reflect the lines
on his wrists....

and he is older than me
but his words have aged my fingers
to write as if we were dead.


Damned ladies of Orpheus
Your arias cause a stir in my sad
Sad and lonely heart


© Copyright 2005 gj - All Rights Reserved
littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
1 posted 2005-08-22 10:51 AM


God, Gem, there is so much imagery in this -I walk away with one who has battled many diseases, emotional and physical, ones I have dealt with myself in manners of family and self and also the feeling left after dealing with someone plagued by any kind of alcoholism or emotional disorder.  

Not an easy road and a thankless one, at that.  For both.

Perfectly written, you made me feel the both of you.  

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
2 posted 2005-08-22 11:04 AM


"he is worse off than me
further bedraggled
deeper in sleep"

Gemma, this was outstanding!  and that stanza that I quoted is the key to understanding and being able to move beyond...



"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

gemjop
Member Elite
since 2002-11-18
Posts 2587
Pencilveinia, USA
3 posted 2005-08-22 12:20 PM


Sue...you always read right into whatever i'm writing and know what its all about...

A heady mixture of alcoholism and manic depression.

thankyou for your words, they comfort me, knowing that you know how it makes me feel, as well as them. x


and Susan,

I really hope it is, and did think that. Fingers crossed. Thankyou. x

Damned ladies of Orpheus
Your arias cause a stir in my sad
Sad and lonely heart


garysgirl
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
4 posted 2005-08-22 12:47 PM


Being involved in the life with someone with these conditions
can be very trying on you. You want to help them, yet have
no idea what to do. My brother is going through some
things right now and needs medical help. But, he won't
admit anything is wrong with him. His wife left him after
almost 35 years of marriage and it has really affected him.
She has remarried now and he says he's glad, but I know differently.

He is staying with my parents right now and his actions are really
worrying us all. He has started drinking really bad.

Well, I didn't mean to write a book. LOL
Hugs,

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
5 posted 2005-08-22 06:47 PM


Nice writing...James
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
6 posted 2005-08-22 07:00 PM


Knowing about manic depression first hand,
you managed still to bring it all back home to me,
and how much it hurts the families of those who cannot
help themselves...
or refuse to.

Excellent writing, Gemma.

Thank you.

wranx
Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn
7 posted 2005-08-22 07:09 PM


This may be your best write!

Certainly, its a strong one.

Imagery, metaphor, all wonderful!

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

8 posted 2005-08-22 11:19 PM


Oh did i need a dose of you lil petal, *smile*
Excellent writing, such vivid images, and yes i agree, definitely one of your best....

a

Mxx

~i want for myself your trembling~

iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
9 posted 2005-08-22 11:25 PM


Outstanding write!
Kaoru
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892
where the wild flowers grow
10 posted 2005-08-23 05:32 AM


YOU .... are simply amazing...A-friggin-MAZING.
ctowen
Member Elite
since 2001-10-18
Posts 2286
Green Mountains of VT
11 posted 2005-08-23 07:16 AM


echoes of Megan rush through my mind and heart ....


     always

CT

A word in hand is worth two in a hush ...  CTOwen/05

              

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