Open Poetry #44 |
Cliche' Parade |
Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
blood is thicker than water live and let live turn the other cheek forgive and forget i can’t forgive and i won’t forget, not ever. i won’t be silent and i can’t ever accept you in my life again. That’s dead you are a momentary headline you are a mere statistic among numbers lined up one by one your hands out for reprieves that you probably will receive and in your wake are victims spirit bent, bearing the brunt of self-satisfying, self-gratifying decisions while you rationalize, justify blood is thicker than water live and let live turn the other cheek forgive and forget lay each cliché by your pillow inventory every reason you should be forgiven you, the victim of your history, who has perpetuated pain - Alison [This message has been edited by Alison (05-12-2009 11:22 AM).] |
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© Copyright 2009 Alison - All Rights Reserved | |||
1slick_lady Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088standing on a shadow's lace |
have we dated the same men? |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
and in your wake are victims spirit bent, bearing the brunt of self-satisfying, self-gratifying decisions while you rationalize, justify Oh, my... I feel like copying 1slick_lady's response! *S* Unfortunately, such louses (lice? *G*) are legion... and cliche's become such because so many seek to voice the same thoughts. *S* Bravo, my friend... fantastic write!! *S* |
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Misty Lilacs Senior Member
since 2005-11-15
Posts 1060White Birch Forest |
Yo u tell 'em Alison! I have also known men like this. ooxx ________________________ |
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inkedgoddess Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392Ohio |
some do lend themselves to this, the reason for cliches well expressed though never cliche in the inovative of your poetry |
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Dark Stranger Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631West Coast |
hell I would spank the other cheek too..go ahead and turn it..dare ya |
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Chalmette Guy Senior Member
since 2009-03-11
Posts 1257Louisiana |
Wow. At the risk of stepping into a man-hater's meeting *S*, I just want to say this is a very cool poem, and the style is a little different than your usual Alison. Ever impressive though. |
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Kaoru
since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892where the wild flowers grow |
I ditto the "Have we dated the same men?" comment. Have we? Or is this just THAT common? I wonder why that is... I loved this.. perfect in every way. |
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Oklahoma Rose Senior Member
since 2008-02-28
Posts 1586Oklahoma USA |
Alison, I sure understand this. I have often asked myself, what happen to the forgiving heart I use to have? Where did the forgiveness go? How could feel so much anger? I have no answers. |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
Now don't you feel better?,Alison. I would. Perfect. Ida |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
A rant we women all know, and the men too I laughed at Dark's response. |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Hi all ~ Helen, Ruth, Marti, Inky, Daark, CG, Kaoru, Sue, Ida and Sharon ~ First thank you for taking the time to respond to my poem. It's been really interesting reading the replies (and yes, I laughed at Daark too - and I am happy to accept his dare ... but remember turnabout IS fair play and all). CG, you made me laugh too - this has turned out to kind of sound like a male bashing party, hasn't it. Actually, I didn't write it about a love that has gone bad. Well, it is about love going bad, but it's not about romantic love. It's about betrayal of family members - deep betrayal. The kind of betrayal that shatter bombs a family. I believe we can offer limited forgiveness (because I also believe that some things simply can't be forgiven), but I also believe that we have a responsibility to remember atrocities that occur within families. I don't buy the cliches - and I don't buy that remembering cripples us. I think the only way to help children (and - yes, I am actually writing about family crimes on children) is to never forget. So, when faced with my memories and when faced with the things I see now in my present - I write and I speak out. Cliches are trite because they are said so often. We parade them like bandaids - and I don't buy into them as a rule when they perpetuate family secrets. Thanks for allowing me this soapbox moment. Alison |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Such an incisive write, dear Alison. You have a strong personality and though I always TRY to forgive ... there are indeed things that bounce back into memory ever so often, because they carved wounds onto our hearts. Love and hugs. Margherita |
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BluesSerenade Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549By the Seaside |
I'm learning in my ripe old age that it takes two to tango. And boy was that ever hard to learn, muchless admit. Excellent poem, Alison. |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Margherita ~ thank you, lovely lady. BluesSerenade (I love that name) Sometimes it doesn't take two to tango. Sometimes we are forced to follow the one leading the dance. A |
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Greeneyes
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
Hey Alison, very powerful write, and haunting meaning behind it....I hope you feel better venting, and agreeing with you on your statement.... 's ~~**~~ |
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ken206573 Member
since 2008-10-14
Posts 487 |
I understand this poem very well, since i have that problem with mine. I am happy to read this poem -Juanita |
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Osprey Member
since 2009-04-12
Posts 249 |
Never read cliche so powerfully applied. Should the third-last line not read: 'Should you be forgiven?' |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Lots of feelings here...Forgiving is a choice...James |
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2islander2 Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825by the sea |
dear alison , everyone does his statistics and experiences, thanks for the thoughtful poem. yann |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Greeneyes, Thank you for reading and understanding. Alison - Juanita, Thank you for reading this one and taking the time to comment on it. Alison - Osprey, It is nice of you to take the time to drop a thought about my poem. quote: No. It reads like this: (you) lay each cliché by your pillow, inventory every reason you should be forgiven. Thank you again, A - James, Perhaps. Perhaps some actions are simply unforgiveable. Thanks for reading, Alison - Dear yann, Very, very true. Thank you lots. A |
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Marcia MT Junior Member
since 2009-05-15
Posts 36California USA |
The great poet Maya Angelou once said, "People will forget what you did, people will forget what you said, but people will never forget how you make them feel." Your poem made me feel. It touched memories long buried. Loud applause poet. |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Marcia, It's a true pleasure to read your response. Thank you so much and welcome to this wonderful place we share. Alison |
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Billie Cullimore Member
since 2009-03-27
Posts 315 |
Dear, Dear Alison Please take the time to turn a few pages until you come across a poem called Absolution. Keep some love in your heart. or you might end up distroying your self. love Billie C. |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
"I believe we can offer limited forgiveness (because I also believe that some things simply can't be forgiven), but I also believe that we have a responsibility to remember atrocities that occur within families." "I don't buy the cliches - and I don't buy that remembering cripples us. I think the only way to help children (and - yes, I am actually writing about family crimes on children) is to never forget." I agree with you Alison. Forgiveness sometimes can be earned...but there are no excuses that should be accepted for some of the crimes and actions of behavior that cause harm/death or lasting pain for those who cannot protect themselves. M |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
I enjoyed both the poem, and your responses to the comments Alison. I appreciated the form and flow you used in this piece to help portray your words and message. It helped give power to your poem. Well done. Best wishes, /Kit |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Dear Billie C, Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. I will look that poem up later - first I am heading out for a day in the sun. Please don't be too concerned about my heart. I think the majority of my poetry speaks to the fact that I find love, creativity and joy abounds in this world we live in. As far as absolution? I am sorry it sounds so catholic to me (and yes, I was raised Catholic - but that's another poem). Here is how it works for some of us. We love with all of our heart until that love is shown to be one-sided. Some people are incapable of love - they are often called Sociopaths. These people don't have the ability to feel the way you and I do. So, I loved my father (and yes - part of this poem refers to my father) until he twisted and molded that love into hate. Hate can be all-consuming and very destructive. I was fortunate to have a lot of family support and love - and, well, I am a pretty grounded person. So, the hate has not destroyed me. It hurt me, but I survived. And then that hate turned to a total lack of feelings for him. He became a person who was biologically responsible for my birth - he did not deserve my love or hate. See there is this cliche' that love and hate are not that far apart. It's true. It's is when you no longer care at all that you are free. To end my father's story. I saw him when he was riddled with cancer and dying. When he told me he was sorry - I was healed. I didn't need to forgive to be healed - I needed acknowledgment. This poem is about a man who forced himself on a six year old little girl. I am sorry to disagree with you - He does not deserve absolution. Thank you again and I will read the poem. Alison - Maureen, Thank you. I believe that if we can forgive - we should. There are times tho when that is simply not an option. Alison - Kit, Thank you for the comments about my poem and for giving the structure some thought. I really belive that Bob K has helped me on my free-style poetry. I simply applied some of the thoughts he shared with me - and I hope if he reads this .. it helped, Bob. Thank you. Thank you, Kit. Alison |
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secondhanddreampoet Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394a 'Universalist' ! |
powerful (hard-hitting) and effective write! I have always detested cliches, colloquialisms, and idiomatic expressions. [they become far worse when used in any attempt to 'cloak' inappropriate choices/behavior; etc.] applause for this 'penning' !! |
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Robert E. Jordan Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Yo dear Alison, I think I now understand your poem. Some things are of course, unforgivable. Love Bobby |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Thank you, my friends, Bruce and Bobby. I appreciate you both a lot. Alison |
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