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Open Poetry #38
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California

0 posted 2006-06-20 08:57 PM


Behind the Glass


Oftentimes I wonder
As I sit here all alone --
If this world is surreal --
If all paths are etched in stone.
Is reality torn asunder
By the shadows that amass
In darkness I can't see, but feel,
Behind this pane of glass?

Frozen in the windowsill,
I’m ready and I’m willing
For love, for pain, for joy, for shame,
Watching the catacombs filling.
Even as echoes hold me still,
Might art be softer spoken?
Could you place my face in a frame
Indifference hasn’t broken?

Or might that monotonous gleam
Fall from these sightless eyes?
Can I admit to incompleteness
Found searching forbidden skies?
Where lovers of a passing dream
Might share in my discord,
But never touch the emptiness
I hold as my reward.

Looking forward, thinking back,
No step is ever taken.
Where maddened eyes appear as sane
Ability’s forsaken.
This vision comfortless and black
Affords me little chance:
At war in this non-existent plane,
I stalemate with circumstance.

And so I sit and bide my time,
Entertaining each notion…
Envision all that I could be,
Dusting the fringe of emotion;
Search meaning in meaningless rhyme
On the chance I might still care.
So strange, the things you never see
Beneath a dead man’s stare!


Michael Anderson


[This message has been edited by Michael (06-20-2006 10:32 PM).]

© Copyright 2006 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

1 posted 2006-06-21 12:32 PM


I rarely come out of lurking mode anymore...but the chance to read you--
well, the moth cant resist.    

As always your rhyme speak and cadence is pure poetic perfection...this is a lesson in rhyme when read aloud...and in classic Michael form...your expression is felt as only a soul poet could emote...

Frozen in the windowsill,
I’m ready and I’m willing
For love, for pain, for joy, for shame,
Watching the catacombs filling.
Even as echoes hold me still,
Might art be softer spoken?
Could you place my face in a frame
Indifference hasn’t broken?

Or might that monotonous gleam
Fall from these sightless eyes?
Can I admit to incompleteness
Found searching forbidden skies?
Where lovers of a passing dream
Might share in my discord,
But never touch the emptiness
I hold as my reward.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And so I sit and bide my time,
Entertaining each notion…
Envision all that I could be,
Dusting the fringe of emotion;
Search meaning in meaningless rhyme
On the chance I might still care.
So strange, the things you never see
Beneath a dead man’s stare!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

oh my--those closing lines....
and this part too...

Could you place my face in a frame
Indifference hasn’t broken?



man...that just reached out...
so hauntingly beautiful in its intent...

this too....

Where lovers of a passing dream
Might share in my discord,
But never touch the emptiness
I hold as my reward.


So great to read and learn from you M,
and thank you for the b-day wishes last week as well.


"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take ...
but by the moments that take our breath away.”

G.Carlin

skyshine
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-02-07
Posts 3058
Beneath the northern stars
2 posted 2006-06-21 12:57 PM


How hard it is when we don't care.....well done.

sky

I hope someday you get the chance to live like you were dying....
~Tim McGraw

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
3 posted 2006-06-21 01:09 AM


OMG, this is the last thing I'm reading tonight. What a treasure find! Not only to read this superb piece from your fine poetic pen, but to see moth wings fluttering above! Man, I have to go to work in a few minutes...but it will be with a huge smile on my face.

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

4 posted 2006-06-21 12:59 PM


*smiling wide*

I sure hope this doesn't screw up a second chance for a duet with you!

You took the concept and truly put empathy into the carcass of the reptilian corpse! (I feel like I should send him to you now, yanno)

Loved this line, too--

"Could you place my face in a frame
Indifference hasn’t broken?"

(now I know that wasn't directed at me, right? )

I'm not sure if I ever told you this, but once upon a time, a comment you made to Christopher made me spit beer all over my monitor.

I have no idea where it is now--but during a discussion you replied to Chris (and it's possible I paraphrase)

"I think I have written some of my best work since my demise."

(I thought that quote quite fitting here.)

It's my pleasure to have a part in your inspiration.

Now, um, let me look around my room--I've got writing material hanging all over my walls!

Thanks Mike, and trust that I am so sorry I missed you before.

Now let's see...I have this plate from Greece that depicts two young boys, um, being Greek, if y'get my drift.

No? Doesn't do it for ya, huh?

*laughing*

Pass that one on to Linda then. *wide grin*

Love to you both, and Bravo my friend! *smooches*


LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

5 posted 2006-06-21 01:10 PM


so good to see you again...

loved this

And so I sit and bide my time,
Entertaining each notion…
Envision all that I could be,
Dusting the fringe of emotion;
Search meaning in meaningless rhyme
On the chance I might still care.
So strange, the things you never see
Beneath a dead man’s stare!

incredible write!!!!

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
6 posted 2006-06-21 01:15 PM


A most excellent write...enjoyed the read.
And so good to see you back!
Hugs~Nancy

~Somewhere in my heart I'm always
dancing with you in the summer rain ~

XOx Uriah xOX
Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403
Virginia
7 posted 2006-06-21 01:20 PM


  ?     !     :: bows ::
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
8 posted 2006-06-21 10:07 PM


Thanks all.

Just to clarify, this poem is about a lizard that died in Karen's windowsill... staring out through the glass.  Karen was about to dispose of it but something in the way it looked struck her and she ended up framing it.  I think I relate to that lizard on a personal level at times, staring out at a world I can be no part of but never really understanding why.  

And yes, Karen, we're still on for that duet.  I just had that poor lizard of yours on my mind over the weekend, thought I would pick up the never finished lines there.  You should post a pic your framed lizard though, it  may lend some credibility to the poem.    


Skyfyre
Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap
9 posted 2006-06-22 03:58 PM


Uh, I have to disagree with my dear husband and say NO, you may keep the dead-framed-lizard pictures to yourself thankyouverymuch!  =P

However, I do owe the expired reptile (and his owner) some thanks for bringing Michael's muse out of hiding.

Oh, and /bump.  

Mysteria
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
10 posted 2010-05-27 09:42 PM


Your poetry is always so good, wise, and worth reading over and over.  I love how you inspire other good writers in here to be all that they can be as well.
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