mah sweet Orleans defeat - pipTalk Forums

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serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

0 posted 2011-08-09 09:52 AM

It broke as if it was my back
my anthem shattered in the sink
Tom Petty and "I won't back down"
and there was no rage in me.

"It was nothin' but a stupid mug"
I gave my daughter shrugs and hugs.
Petty, yes, indeed it was,
but yet he sang the song for me.

I'm so many little pieces.
My arms ache from tip-toed reaches.
So when my son spoke of the road
I urged him take it--before he's old.

"Tulane owns the whole damned city,
and we ain't rich, and sittin' pretty."
I washed the dishes left behind
in the sink, though none were mine.

I'd sworn I would stop doing that.
I'd let them stay right where they're at
and let the flies grow big and fat
like lawyers aged with degrees.

Oh-I-do-know-what-it-means,

to miss her, oh mah sweet Orleans...

And it's hard for me to cry.
I know I'll never say goodbye.

I told my son to take the chance.
I burned him with my eyes in glance
before my hair fell in my face
as I turned to wash the plates.

If you can, just leave this place.
You don't need me to forgive
you for leaving my embrace:
A part of me will die to live.

My eyes dig the graves each day...
"If you can? Just leave this place."

jwesley
Member Rara Avis

since 2000-04-30

Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

1 posted 2011-08-09 10:37 AM

Ah, my friend, felt this deep. I love New Orleans, and all it's surrounding sisters, but I walked away many years ago and visiting is the best I do now. The aches are still there, the 'missing' both in soul and in her - love is still there but the best I ever did was walk away and watch her from a distance and, once in awhile, sneak back and speak with her behind closed doors.

Missing New Orleans...

j.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

2 posted 2011-08-09 11:12 AM

Ok, so I'm reading this in a place
where I shouldn't allow tears to swell,
and yet I did
and now they dwell.

This is poignant, serenity, and deeply seeded
with mother love.

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

3 posted 2011-08-09 11:16 AM

Sweet Karen...touching the screen

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

4 posted 2011-08-09 11:47 AM

Ah, 'tis such sweet delight to see
Through darkness, my Serenity.
Though she flows best, guided through pain;
Her music brings such sweet refrain…
I can’t help mix with sorrow, pleasure,
Holding her words, as I do, a treasure.

Yup, this is what I've been missing from you.

quote:
And it's hard for me to cry.
I know I'll never say goodbye.

I can relate to the "hanging on" -- even when you know it's time to let go.  Stubbornness is part of you, though.  I would expect nothing else.  I am guilty of “burning with glances” as well, those who opt not to share my anguish… but recognize it for what it is.  Misery was the home I built, though, so I have no right to compare it to what was thrust upon you.

I feel for you, Karen.  ((HUGS))

And anyone who reads this poem and does not get emotional is probably not human...  I mean common, Tom Petty's in it!

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

5 posted 2011-08-09 02:38 PM

Feet can walk away but you can't ever really leave a place that holds a piece of your heart. On the flip side, a part of you will go whereever his chance takes him. Goodbyes are for neither... only a whispered "until we meet again."

We've both shed too many tears over the past 6 years... and yet they keep on slipping out.

You don't need a mug to sing your anthem... and you've a forum full of backup singers.

Love you, I do.

devina
Member Elite

since 1999-10-28

Posts 3539
Cali

6 posted 2011-08-09 03:46 PM

sniffs and hiugs sweet sis,,,sounds like it's spiked coffee time at my house next moon eh?

love ya lady!! kiss-kiss

Open arms can be the most fragile in the world...

latearrival
Member Ascendant

since 2003-03-21

Posts 5499
Florida

7 posted 2011-08-10 11:41 PM

Letting Go

As birds are given wings to fly and soar
As high as needed to survive,

So sons are given heart and nerve
To answer callings, so they may thrive.

An old one i once posted, but I hope it fits. Jo perry

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

8 posted 2011-08-11 01:31 AM

"defeat"???

Oh-ya'll-didn't-believe-that-shtuff"

um, didja?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUTXb-ga1fo

I love you all, Jo Perry? You are gentle angel wings, thank you.

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

9 posted 2011-08-11 01:34 AM

This reads like a bad burn that has healed, but a sulphur taste in your mouth just won't go away. Somehow, and sadly you are starting to get used to the taste of it.

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

10 posted 2011-08-11 02:11 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IJw9jid5Yk&NR=1

just 'cause I love this guy too...

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

11 posted 2011-08-11 09:59 PM

I love this version too K:
Pearl Jam

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

12 posted 2011-08-11 10:25 PM

Loves ya Karen , , ,

~ If work is so terrific, why do they have to pay you to do it. ~

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

13 posted 2011-08-11 11:22 PM

and oh my...yanno? Life is just...absurd.

Maybe someday I'll write a poem about tonight's little life lesson.

(I'm just glad there are brushes involved.)

lawsy...

love you Shar, Jer.

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant

since 2006-11-07

Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !

14 posted 2011-08-13 05:22 AM

fine writing!

GRAND line:

"let the flies grow big and fat
like lawyers aged with degrees."

Dark Angel
Member Patricius

since 1999-08-04

Posts 10095

15 posted 2011-08-13 07:48 PM

"and let the flies grow big and fat
like lawyers aged with degrees.
"

Super lines m'lady, and how i miss reading you..

muah!

m

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

16 posted 2011-08-14 04:26 AM

So much sadness and strength in this, Karen. You are brave and good and kind and right.

Superb rich multiple-aspect Karen-poem, too, as only Karen can write.

I listened to all 3 versions of "I Won't Back Down" and enjoyed them all.

I googled Tulane and couldn't believe my eyes. Very, very ouch magnified.

Hugs
Owl

icebox
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 4383
in the shadows

17 posted 2011-08-14 12:36 PM

Well done.

sometimes the smallest spark lights the greatest flame.

ebonygirl
Member Elite

since 2011-07-14

Posts 2000
California U.S.A

18 posted 2011-08-14 03:37 PM

Enjoyed your poem, serenity blaze,
heartfelt,
ebonygirl

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

19 posted 2011-08-14 09:42 PM

OMG darlin' girl...you brought DA home!

I want to hear the next story, too.

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