Runners (inspired by the novel "The Catcher In The Rye" by J.D. Salinger

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

ice
Member Elite

since 2003-05-17

Posts 3404
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2011-07-09 08:57 PM

"I don't even know what I was running for-I guess I just felt like it."
~J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

(Image by Bloodspite)

We were runners toward life
Reveling in daedal  plots
Of unshocked grain--rye heads uncut;
Short sighted frolickers
Giving  the finger to a world
That saw us as sheaves to bring in;

A world that stomped our spirits in the dirt
Because the harvest that was us,
Was growing on elysian fields.
And we had no fear of cliffs'

I worried all of my gains away
Nothing seemed to last but chaff and stem;
Because my catchers teeth made pulpy grist
Of my immature displays,
They surely thought would be my only yield.

I stayed shy of girls, and their Demeter breasts
Which made my guides relax their frowns;
They loved the reluctance that held me back
From falling off the edge of the field
Into the pit of lust, and out-of marriage sex.

At parties, I loved the bevies
As soon as I saw them grouped,
Even The awkward-the pimply ones-
All of them in different states of ripening
Dancing with each-other to Fabian and Elvis;
But I never  made approach.

It's not like they were the enemy, or something
It's just that the blood in my veins
Was made yellow by warnings
Of principals and parents,
So I lied  by acting cool
And pretended I wasn't a coward.

That race went on through fields of time;
Sunny days dried tears of angst
That fell in rains of shame and guilt
Instilled by punishing chaperones
That tried to guard my growing self
From things I loved the most,
By consternated means, and ways.

( This may not make sense if you haven't read the book, or perhaps you can relate to the theme of this anyway, as many of you probably went through similar things during adolescence)

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

1 posted 2011-07-09 09:00 PM

I didn't read the book, but I still enjoyed the poem, although I probably didn't "get" out of it what you intended.

I relate to this . . . "But I never made approach.."

I was shy in school and covered it up by being a loudmouth.

~ Husbands are chiefly good lovers when they are betraying their wives.--Marilyn Monroe ~

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius

since 2001-10-23

Posts 10549
By the Seaside

2 posted 2011-07-11 08:26 PM

This took me back and then fast forward.
gotta love your inspiration~

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

3 posted 2011-07-11 08:51 PM

Ford,

you make the "old" new again...
and it is a book that all should read
if only for a brief moment, to see
a wisp of an image of a growing
whether it be within them, or someone
they know, and quite probably love...

It's been a long time since I read it,
but it's worthy of a repeat.

That's what novels are for.

ice
Member Elite

since 2003-05-17

Posts 3404
Pennsylvania

4 posted 2011-07-12 06:51 AM

Jerry Pat, and Blues
I am glad you can relate to the theme, each in a personal way...Thank You..:-)

Thanks,Sunny
"you make the "old" new again..."
Yup, and that is why novels like this one exist...they are for the world to not forget about their past, or at least parts of it.

Come read to me some poem,
Some simple and heartfelt lay,
That shall soothe this restless feeling
And banish the thoughts of day.
Longfellow

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

5 posted 2011-07-12 06:26 PM

That race went on through fields of time;
Sunny days dried tears of angst
That fell in rains of shame and guilt
Instilled by punishing chaperones

I appreciate your write greatly, dear Ford, even though I have not read the book. Your words are highly significant on their own and no doubt many can relate.

Excellent.

Love,
Margherita

Alison

Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-27

Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!

6 posted 2011-07-16 01:31 AM

Ford,

Even if I don't always "get" your poetry, I don't feel a need to. I simply get lost in your words and how you put them all together.

I like this.

Alison

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.