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Open Poetry #36
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littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York

0 posted 2005-10-14 08:55 AM



Mother
I am here
in you
in your waves
of resolute
rages of you
constitute
words
unsigned by men.

aligned in truth
you scream the keen
howling
through the trees
you dreamed
the increments
and bend of reeds
harmonics
planted by the seeds
of cones and cypress
spores
and leaves
flying from the trees
that bleed
bending stradivarius -
he must have watched this
to conceive
an instrument
that tends to bend
in the care of hands
of men
with such sensitivity
to know
that birth
that bitch
was this:

woman

shuddering the earth
weeping blood of them
that end

life

for sake of war...

it is

the last note quivering.


~   ~   ~


Daughter.

I lie there
writhing in agony.
Begging of you, hold my hand,
as a midwife between my legs,
now splayed to the Heavens.

Oh, it was time,
and I secretly swore to Eve
for the curse of pain I now felt.

With each rush of fire beneath,
my back arched and I screeched.

Tears flowing from each side of my face.

Wetting the cloth, pristine
beneath me.

I swore to the sky
with each gasp of breath
and wave of anguish.

And pushed forth from me,
everything that lies beneath the ground
and flies within the sky.

I pushed forth the stars
and with it,
the Moon.

When I screamed, I was heard on high
and the angels joined me in choir.

And when I had expelled
all of my prejudices,
my disdain and my failures,

I then sat up and heaved forth
every needle pinch to skin
and each bleed of my heart.

When I opened my mouth,
with head held back,
as that of a woman, crazed,

I heard them wail . . .

And I then let out my breath
and fell back, destroyed.

I held this creation to my chest,
turning my head towards the Heavens

And a lone tear escaped
from breath ~ caught . . .

I held them to my heart and cried.

For I knew . . .


--------------------

The End. (of the beginning)  


~   ~   ~


There is a time
soon after birth
when pondering the pride
the worth
of the pain of laboring
for babies, who can't smile.

They hunger for the teat
and bite
and even gums display a might
of the will to live
that gives
a gasp of tender pain to breast.

Time becomes the keeper of
the measurement of "am I loved"
by this being of my loins
suckling my sweat...

Eyes intent upon my own
need or greed or love purloined
until the day they smile it is
a toss of coin and loneliness

"but give to me my child"
she says:
"My milk is ready to be fed
and I have gallons yet to bleed
that does not question worthiness."

Mother
Daughter
sister Sun,
Brother
Father
everyone--
the rain falls equally
in sheets
that beg a clothespin and a breeze

drying us, our tears
and Lethe
is but the river of regret
and our love too tight to chest--
soured by the stinginess
of what we should have gave away...

every single day.


~   ~   ~


and in that child
who cannot smile
lies a certain wonder
lost to us
in that moment

we cannot comprehend thought
of such life, that existence
those early months
of intuition, of forgetting

A babe in arms is but a soul escaping.

I often wonder
who I was forgetting
when I cried
not knowing why or for what,
rather that I knew
I was not where I was
a lifetime ago.

And dare the mother -
curls hanging limp
about her weary smile,
(half - hearted)
thinking she is to blame
for this calamity.

I revoke my right.

It is not I, mother
who creates the soul of Son.
It is I, a vessel,
which carries such precious cargo.

It is I, woman
who bears fruit of shame.

The stinging beauty
of bringing one soul
back to what?

Do I dare question
such occurrence?
Have I the right
to ponder those cries?

I sit in golden silence
troubled by this world
and I followed myself
to my garden.

Where life is constantly regenerating.

And there, among autumn leaves
and newly grown weeds,
stood a bushel of mums.

I could not help but smile
at their full angelic faces
as they danced with the wind,
for all the pains of this world.

As if to say,

"See?  We have not left
in the darkest hour."

I lifted bloom to face
and knew, right then,
we are blessed:

with fate
fight  
strife
horror
love
hate
human nature
abound and alive
streaming from the gutters,

screeching

for just one sip
of Mother's Milk.

© Copyright 2005 Sue Eckam - All Rights Reserved
LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

1 posted 2005-10-14 08:58 AM


this was so gripping, bittersweet, then sad, then the happy ending of understanding...

Your gift will be cherished by them...this was an amazing write, filled with visuals, pain, lessons, fear, and then, like turning a light on in our minds, you climax the ending with a greatness....outstanding read...thank you

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

2 posted 2005-10-14 09:43 AM


I was waiting to see this,
posted in it's entirety
and glory.  

Again, I state
you ladies touch

deeply.....

and your words?
strung like pearls....
Perfection m'friends...

perfection.

Much love to you both.
~D~


live for today,
dream of the future,
and learn eternal truths from the past..

SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
3 posted 2005-10-14 09:54 AM


"I often wonder
who I was forgetting
when I cried
not knowing why or for what,
rather that I knew
I was not where I was
a lifetime ago."


I have no words to express how much I LOVED this part here....amazing...you two...this is breathtaking!

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
4 posted 2005-10-14 11:00 AM


Karen and Sue...all I can manage is a, Wow!!  
Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
5 posted 2005-10-14 11:07 AM


My gawd! What a spell-binding write! ~ Whether it be literally, figuratively, or metaphorically speaking!

Kiss the mirror, girls! You done did GOOD! Bow Down Before You


Linda

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
6 posted 2005-10-14 11:08 AM


Yes..breathtaking in it's beauty.
Bravo ladies..I waited for you to put this all together...
I knew it would be fantastic!
~Hugging you both, Nancy~

~Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.~

Ringo
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2003-02-20
Posts 3684
Saluting with misty eyes
7 posted 2005-10-14 11:18 AM


This is absolutely showing why you two are among the best this site has to offer.

Could you do another one??? Please?

When all is said
All is done
Still I live
And carry on-
Quiet Riot

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

8 posted 2005-10-14 03:32 PM


See? You made it purty.

I've said it before, but I say it again, you are so easy to write with--just like one of extended phone conversations.

Love ya Susie Q.

It's my privelage.

iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
9 posted 2005-10-14 05:36 PM


Thanks for putting these togehter.  They are all so very exquisite.  Words I would write do not pay them the proper tribute.  Library stocked!   .....jo
Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

10 posted 2005-10-14 06:07 PM


Oh WOW, sigh. What a team.

to you both

it's a

m xx

~i want for myself your trembling~

wranx
Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689
Moved from a shack to a barn
11 posted 2005-10-14 11:06 PM


I don't know what to say either....

Exept...I doubt men could write this. We have a "lacking" in the "something" threading this together.

LOL...See what I mean?

brian sites
Senior Member
since 2002-06-25
Posts 1475
usa
12 posted 2005-10-14 11:21 PM


aint it true Ed?

this is such an amazing work of art

and I suspect....as a man

I have no idea of the depth of this

all I can do is
applaud it

Nightshade
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962
just out of reach
13 posted 2005-10-14 11:31 PM


Absolutely stunning!
Brava ladies... Brava.
hugs, Chris

Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.
~Carl Sandburg

littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
14 posted 2005-10-15 11:09 AM


You guys are way too good . . .
but thank you
and yes  *nodding*

Karen, my Lady . . . when you write
I just have to follow.
It is as if your words
beg mine to speak . . .

Thank you.  

Thanks guys, I know it was a long read.
*smile*

My pleasure entirely.
Love you too K  

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

15 posted 2005-10-15 04:18 PM


I am looking for you on IM yanno.

talk to me, will ya?

littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
16 posted 2005-10-15 04:19 PM


oh man hold on a sec, I have to load it, I dont have that anymore.

I'm there, where'd ya go? One minute, where have you gone in one minute?   *smile*

babygirlwlove
Senior Member
since 2004-10-10
Posts 1180
New York City
17 posted 2005-10-15 08:47 PM


wow  what a tribute....and collab...

awed...I will return to this time and again~

just stunning~

~babygirL

**Intoxicant to the SouL**

Magnus
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA
18 posted 2005-10-15 09:56 PM


Outstanding poetry....yes, very well done.
Kaoru
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892
where the wild flowers grow
19 posted 2005-10-17 06:11 PM


Geez! This is insanely good.. I'm surely going to save it...

and bump it

for more people need to read it.

inkedgoddess
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392
Ohio
20 posted 2005-10-17 10:18 PM





the moments
between branch
and leave
before the
wind comes by


your words open windows

vlraynes
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229
Somewhere... out there...
21 posted 2005-10-18 01:20 AM



I said it on the original thread...

and I'll say it again...

This... and both of you...are beautiful...

I am always in awe when you two write together...

Love ya both, my sisters...

"When the power of love overcomes the love
of power the world will know peace."
--Jimi Hendrix

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115
South Africa
22 posted 2005-10-18 02:48 AM


An absolutely stunning write that every woman and mother can relate to.  Wow - this is sheer majesty!  
littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
23 posted 2005-10-18 07:59 AM


Thanks guys, you are all way too good and thanks for bumping this.  I am very proud of it, seems K's muse has been conspiring with mine without us even knowing!


Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
24 posted 2005-10-18 09:23 AM


A wonderful collection of every fear, confused thought, joy and expectation of bringing forth life and the responsibility of doing so and if in this time of such upheaval if it is truly the right thing to do or if we even have a right.

that is what I came away with.   (and I know there is so much more to it..but that is what it was for me).

Spectacular.  



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

Cloud 9
Senior Member
since 2004-11-05
Posts 980
Ca
25 posted 2005-10-18 01:26 PM


Awesome!!
Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
26 posted 2005-10-18 05:07 PM


mums~moms~suckled thoughts

the blend of two souls. petaled words falling on a blue open heart space

I am gratefully numb...awed by the sheer beauty, the depth of feeling you've deftly layered into this piece of pure poetry.

~and bowing to both of you~

    

littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
27 posted 2005-10-19 01:37 PM


*smile*

it makes me happy that you guys come away from this with anything . . . in the "mind" of the beholder . . . for sure.

Thank you again, this one is so special to me.

(Yes, Kacy mums and more mums . . . *grin*)

Thanks guys

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

28 posted 2005-10-21 03:55 PM


Ive been waiting for days to have quiet time to do some back reading in here of things I've missed and this was one at the top of my list...

truly and amazing meeting of poetic minds and muses...you two connected on a higher plane with this striking and stirring write.

youve gifted us a Genesis with this gem.

very very cool me girlies.

I'll bare the brunt of your long buried pain
I don't mind helping you out ...
But I want you to remember my name

Alanis

vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
29 posted 2005-10-21 06:29 PM


good read
Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
30 posted 2005-10-22 04:48 AM


quote:
Mother
Daughter
sister Sun,
Brother
Father
everyone--
the rain falls equally
in sheets
that beg a clothespin and a breeze

drying us, our tears
and Lethe
is but the river of regret
and our love too tight to chest--
soured by the stinginess
of what we should have gave away...

every single day.



Awesome poetry from two master poets who have the gift of deep knowing and deep sensitivity.

Made me sigh in awe, really.

Love,
Margherita


Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
31 posted 2005-10-22 06:59 AM



Publish.

Both of you.

NOW.

PouringJewels
Member
since 2003-09-18
Posts 158
Maryland
32 posted 2005-11-18 06:36 AM


It is I, woman who bore fruit of such love.
Pure beauty I brought from up above.
The cries we're happiness to be in my arms.
Vessel I was, and proud of what she's become.
We ponder what good to do today,
as we sit in the garden we planted last May.
Looking in her eyes I know the end (of the  
beginning.)


LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

33 posted 2005-11-18 07:02 AM


Had to come back and take this in again.  It becomes more the 2nd and 3rd read...amazing simply amazing

and this

It is not I, mother
who creates the soul of Son.
It is I, a vessel,
which carries such precious cargo.

It is I, woman
who bears fruit of shame.

The stinging beauty
of bringing one soul
back to what?

Do I dare question
such occurrence?
Have I the right
to ponder those cries?

I sit in golden silence
troubled by this world
and I followed myself
to my garden.


makes me think back to the beginning of time...and all the wonders of humanity...along with the same heartbreaks, wars, rapes, injustice, greed, it's all the same my friend, now, perhaps more people, more access thru the media...just different times...

and the power in that vessel, keeps on it's destination...I believe birth is the miracle of life...and the wonder of us...humans....giving each and every generation, another chance....

Hugs to you for the inspiration...


nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
34 posted 2005-11-18 07:04 AM


Mother
Daughter
sister Sun,
Brother
Father
everyone--
the rain falls equally
in sheets
that beg a clothespin and a breeze

drying us, our tears

what can one say when all has been said...
separately you are both wonderful writers...together you are a learning experience


M

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
35 posted 2005-11-18 08:29 AM




It makes me happy that this came back up.

I likie when all the new people get to see some of the best.

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

Aenimal
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350
the ass-end of space
36 posted 2005-11-23 12:56 PM


how about another round
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