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Open Poetry #47
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In The Light Of Lingering (redux)
| Open Poetry #47 |
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In The Light Of Lingering (redux) |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows 
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When I was young, leather wrapped to play in town, my thoughts had blood and heart to move it; now I am old, iron bound, full of crystalline power woven at extremities with lines that bind the universe, bent beneath understandings beyond my ability to share, good that I feel less a need to share. Fire in my belly more often now is what remains of dinner than some idealistic zeal of belief or patriotism or political charade or flaring tinder sparked by striking brittle promises against delusional offerings of love; Sirens calling me no longer offer up unbridled lust instead seducing me with glimpses of returning to eternity. My god, I did love in life though, from near and from afar! In my life I've held ankles bound wrists kissed inner folds and freed frightened souls from girlish fears of so many women of whom I never should have had a right to be near; some few I wanted actively, most others seemed just to appear. Oh I know what you'll say, "The old toad's just bragging," but it isn't that way, I swear, maybe you just had to be there, so much of my life simply was blest in so very many ways. Now these words, your words, coquette words, charming words of love and faith and trust, fall on my soul like acid rain, liquid fire splashed in my eyes, even now hours later with echoes of pain still cascading through empty corridors in my soul, I can not focus on reality through burning sting of awareness that etches memory and works to keep me blind; words like forever when you haven't dug graves of yesterday, when you can't grasp simple birth pains of tomorrow, ideas of fidelity when you've never had to choose who lives who dies, never had to look into pleading eyes of survivors begging why and had to swallow truth. I know, it's said already, I am old, and clearly melodramatic, so much older than you I really do wear boots made before you were born; sordid corridors of my soul are covered in graffiti, littered with broken mirrors, memories of dusty names shadows of distorted faces buried long ago for heroism or perhaps for some long forgotten crimes played out in places where even though the world may have then turned adroitly on a dime they are but footnotes in your labored readings, like fifteen minute news ancient by tomorrow easily overlooked, like me, yet for me they are living memories, names that call to me in sleep, silhouettes crisply clear flashing at random through my dreams... Where would your promises of passion be when I awoke beside you with a soul full of faces and a throat full of screams? ...and though I know meanings vary some lost, some reviled, some revered taught to a child as stars by which to steer, I know too karma will wait patiently for decades, for lifetimes when needed, for you to find meaning in differences between us; I don't have time left in this life to wait, though I see lightning in your eyes and taste arousal in the air around you when you look from under heavy lidded eyes and smile, while you turn your chest tightening your blouse to guarantee I see points of interest hardened in the proper light, and I don't even have to pause to wonder if that same practiced gesture brings boys around you under any spell you decide to weave; long before you it will be my time to leave to carry on the burden of our most basic task weighing life's reflections to etch new understandings on hard polished surfaces, the harsh reality of being separately ensouled. As forces of Nature we are as irreconcilable as the pure childlike ideals of justice with the realities of conflicts I once settled with the bullet and the blade. ©2006, 2011 by icebox [This message has been edited by icebox (10-17-2011 07:02 AM).] |
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Lori Grosser Rhoden Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202Fair to middlin' of nowhere |
Powerful... This speaks volumes as to the kind of man you are today. It is clear as you describe yourself why she would be so drawn to you. You are a wise man. Some women just have a weak spot for wise guys  Lori |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
"Where would your promises of passion be when I awoke beside you with a soul full of faces and a throat full of screams?" I really hate when that happens--they never leave a note, but once there was...money. That shouldn't happen to anybody. I miss you, Mr. C. I'd tell you that I feel like something horrible is going to happen, but something horrible always does, so that's hardly an impressive prediction. Where is the melting smilie?  |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Naw, you weren't bragging, Ice. You penned a powerful poem, reux or not. You have lived life how you lived life. You have come away from that life with understanding you never thought you would have, and at one point in that other life you cared not a whit for that understanding. I know. I understand. ~* The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.--William Blake ~*~ |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
It is good to read you, Charly. Makes me feel old though, and full. " separately ensouled." Yes. Hugs you! |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Only you can redux what you do do, so well.  |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
World class poetry! It took a huge amount of energy to write this. I stand, and applaud your ability to do so.. Poet sir..I am very moved. |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
"Oh I know what you'll say, "The old toad's just bragging," but it isn't that way, I swear, maybe you just had to be there, so much of my life simply was blest in so very many ways." Your entire write is an excellent awareness of your life in review, but this verse adds clarity and significance because it says, in a way, that we all have things we did somewhere in our past which would be unbelievable to others, or even surprise their senses.  Excellent write! JL  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. Maranatha! |
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Nocturnal Pulse Member
since 2010-08-12
Posts 84Australia |
You come across poems every rare occasion, ones that are more felt than read. This is one of those poems, its brilliant, its sincere and I hope you live long to write more. |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
Fascinating as always, Charlie. Ida |
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