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Open Poetry #40
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Why I Stay Alive
| Open Poetry #40 |
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Why I Stay Alive |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows 
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I am at the end of life, an old and appropriately solitary man, still dangerous and often thought of as being short on grace and absolution, a soul left cluttered with too many broken hopes, trying to avoid the normal bitterness that comes with the understandings of what the young are trying always to dismiss as fate; I struggle with a body that took too many isotopes, wearing skin that fades its wounds to whiter shades of pale until they are no more just memory's worn geography, barely visible beneath the strongest light curiously still felt at times as new and fresh and raw and bleeding. Yet, it was a life that in retrospect without significant regrets exceeded all my most perverse expectations. There is no sleep in me this night and again I am exhausted; there is always fog at the edge of dreams and in those mists it seems my thoughts and memories as one act reels, relentless travelogues with comrades in arms or bitter enemies, and always the undone deals once planned out along the trails I sought in clarifying life, thrive as parasites that wander with me subtle and lethargic until they renew the strength it takes to chase me past the cubbyholes and hideouts of my sleep, through it all, the fevers never making sense, the lungs that give up life in bits, the joints where bones no longer seem to fit, a life where any sudden movement or unexpected cough can leave me momentarily within an eternity of universal pain, I seem to stay alive because inside every tortured ragged breath are thoughts defining you. ©2007 by icebox |
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| © Copyright 2007 icebox - All Rights Reserved | |||
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
"There is no sleep in me this night and again I am exhausted; there is always fog at the edge of dreams and in those mists it seems my thoughts and memories as one act reels," maybe it's supposed to be this way as we age... always well expressed M |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
"still dangerous" you betcha (and I ain't even kidding) Funny, but I have been thinking of life and death lately (oy, what a coincidink! grin) and it rather reminds me of a strobe light. sigh I should explain, but I think you get it. Aleph-Bayt-Aleph-Bayt work work work  I should have coffee before I read you--I'm still "out there" somewhere.  But I am impressed. You came in with expectation? Mine were planted into me. Now they are being yanked outta me. I should go get that coffee, huh? Heh. *sleepy hugs* loved this |
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Interloper
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369Deep in the heart |
Well done, indeed  Poet, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
You know, my friend...I read this and for some reason thought of a cubby...you know those little nooks at school where the little kids keep there precious "stuff". Cubbies come before lockers and are much more innocent. I keep you there. |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
greatly enjoyed |
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Roniece Dawson-Bruce Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689Sydney, Australia |
wow!!  this is awesome! RDB Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight......... |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Understanding this and all the pain and love. The poem is beautiful, Charly.  ....jo |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Dear Box of Ice, I'm starting off by giving you a big, warm hug o' love!  To put it bluntly, the aging of the body, sucks!  With your adept writing skills, you have the uncanny ability of pulling the reader into your world ~ and body! Gosh, I'm now feeling your aches 'n pains! But there is always a warm heart and a smile woven through (or behind) your words ~ Even in your less than sunny poems. You are a fine poet. Living Light, EA (P.S. I recently went into Challenges and saw your fascinating response to my "Supernatural" challenge. Please accept my appolgies for not responding a year ago! lol) |
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Pilgrimage Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945Texas, USA |
Excellent poem. You made me feel, and then you made me think. And I have to admit, no matter what I planned to do, and no matter what I did, the things that get me to sleep now are the things that got me to sleep fifty years ago. (Maybe I should delete that) Nan (Pilgrim variety) |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Nice writing...You have brought to mind my Mothers last days upon this earth...after having an operation to remove cancer in her lungs...she was cancer free for a period of time...and then one day the cancer returned, and she told my oldest sister, that when she was released from the hospital, she wanted to go to a hospice...James |
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Angel4aKing Senior Member
since 2006-09-27
Posts 1372USA |
Nicely done and for someone with more of a death wish than someone with the fight to live this was a tear jerker..... ~~~kingsangel~~~ |
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