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Open Poetry #36
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RSWells
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since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533


0 posted 2005-10-14 11:32 AM



The Widow

In bird blink silence she hides from the sun
still, to avoid deaths’ notice,
nothing to look up for she dare not look down
where claw foot mahogany slowly eats her

The mantle clock whips with each tick
like stairs of churches, government buildings
or old tenements, smoothed sag, rubbed,
creak and groan eroded in ebbs of endless
waves of leather, cleat and hobnail.
The young still storm its center,
the aged hug the rail in stealth

Old bones conspire to dunk her
their marrow now sponge
to the permeate chill  

She mocks the devil with doily hats,
magnolian attempts at dressing plastic leaves
with gaudy flower boats

Little makes sense from the screaming box
where Godfrey, Linkletter must have died,
replaced by liars who stammer staccato
and everything’s “free”….”free”…or “freedom”

With square feet so heavy they can’t be hers
she arms herself with a stick or a metal frame
used to keep the floor away like a lion tamer

Tea is the friend who whistles for her
and children have all become aliens,
a knock at the door is a frightful thing,
where did that smelly man go?
and what, what must he know?
and the dust…
the dust……..

© Copyright 2005 Richard S. Wells jr. - All Rights Reserved
Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
1 posted 2005-10-14 11:45 AM


Richard

You see so much truth when you look with your poet's eyes....sad truth.  I have known this woman, and at night all her chains break and she dreams free.  You are such a good writer!

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
2 posted 2005-10-14 11:49 AM


Excellent write full of vivid imagery Richard.
It's SO good to read you again.
Hugs~Nancy

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

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

3 posted 2005-10-14 12:19 PM


lovely images projected through your words...and very sad, this woman you speak of....hugs for the awarness, agreeing with both comments above....
Seymour Tabin
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since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
4 posted 2005-10-14 12:38 PM


RSWells
And it finishes with the dust, the dust.
All of which you have stirred up.

Nightshade
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Member Patricius
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962
just out of reach
5 posted 2005-10-14 01:44 PM


Tea is the friend who whistles for her
and children have all become aliens,
a knock at the door is a frightful thing,
where did that smelly man go?
and what, what must he know?
and the dust…
the dust……..


Oh, my goodness. This is one striking piece of work! Keepin' it! Brava.
hugs, Chris

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

iliana
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since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
6 posted 2005-10-14 05:39 PM


This is masterfully and sensitively penned!  
Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
7 posted 2005-10-14 06:06 PM


Women are sort of like teabags really, they get stronger the longer they steep.  Richard, you have this ability to present just the purest graphics in your work, that I can see this woman, feel her pain, and therefore now pray to God I never become her.  You amaze me with your complete understanding of the human spirits of so many.  Take care now.
Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

8 posted 2005-10-14 07:12 PM


Outstanding Richard!

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

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
9 posted 2005-10-15 10:19 AM


Of all of your winding words
through this life,

these lines can be seen in any
old woman...

~*~

With square feet so heavy they can’t be hers
she arms herself with a stick or a metal frame
used to keep the floor away like a lion tamer

~*~

and the younger readers will someday,
with grace, see themselves
just as this...

Thank you, Richard...

MGROVES
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Member Elite
since 2004-02-01
Posts 3802
california
10 posted 2005-10-23 10:53 PM


very nice. thanks for sharing

My spirit will rise
above the sea~
There will be no drowning
of my soul or me~

Midnitesun
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since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
11 posted 2005-10-23 11:02 PM


You've presented us with some really great imagery here Richard, in this snapshot of life's inevitable progression (for those who live long enough to outlive an aging mate). And at this stage, wiping the dust away is a waste of time, isn't it?
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