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JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2012-09-07 05:44 AM

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(Wrote this when things were different. Thank goodness the shadows are disappearing these days.)

I'm back in the shadows
looking for a nonexistent name
my yin is mysteriously flaccid and silent
absorbing everything
allowing it to fulfill itself as in repast
depression ripped the petals
from the honest that was my face
my smile a parched caricature
of what it used to be
remembering crumpled notes
left in squalid hotel rooms
words written in desperation
loses its impact
in the folds and tucks and crumple
then read by absolute strangers
in the light of day
by then the notes
comes off as contemptible
ah, the horrifying splendor which is life
bewildering and confusing
it shouldn't be that way
I blame it on yin
I never, ever speak of yang

©August 15, 2012 / Jerry Pat Bolton

~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

1 posted 2012-09-07 11:47 AM

"the horrifying splendor which is life
bewildering and confusing
it shouldn't be that way"

I could feel the strain, almost agonizing,
day to day struggle.
I am glad this has passed on.
Excellent write, Jerry.

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!

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

2 posted 2012-09-07 12:03 PM

I am very happy it is over too, JL, thank you for your kind words.

~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

3 posted 2012-09-07 12:31 PM

Ah, how words written in the fires of passion, deep down in the depths of a soul in anguish, on the bleakest night can seem frivilous when exposed to the light of the very next day is astounding to me... but a phenomenon I have more than my share of experiences with. Day and night, yin and yang... worlds apart they are. Glad you're spending more time in the light these days, Jer.

Michael

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

4 posted 2012-09-07 12:39 PM

Oh, all that you said about the cold hard light of the next day is so true, Michael, and yes, I know you have been there, done that numerous times. Thank you for coming here today.

~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius

since 2009-10-10

Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere

5 posted 2012-09-07 02:13 PM

You do the dark too well my friend, I'm glad you aren't there now.

Lori

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

6 posted 2012-09-07 02:15 PM

I am too, Lori, thank you for being here.

~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

7 posted 2012-09-08 10:40 AM

quote:
depression ripped the petals
from the honest that was my face
my smile a parched caricature
of what it used to be

I have been there too, you describe these shadows so very well, Jerry.

To find the balance between yin and yang is a life's task. No easy lessons indeed.

Margherita

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

8 posted 2012-09-08 10:48 AM

I guess there isn't any easy lessons, Margherita, I'm still dealing with the yin and yang at the late in life. Thank you much for stopping by and commenting.

~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

Prasad Nataraj
Senior Member

since 2008-05-29

Posts 1149
Bangalore,India

9 posted 2012-09-08 11:52 AM

"depression ripped the petals
from the honest that was my face
my smile a parched caricature
of what it used to be
remembering crumpled notes
left in squalid hotel rooms
words written in desperation
loses its impact"
Wow, super line, Jerry. Fine writing!

"The secret behind survival of mankind is kindness and love within our hearts"
prasadnatarajan5.blogspot.com/

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

10 posted 2012-09-08 12:10 PM

Thanks Prasad, thanks a lot. Appreciate you being here.

~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

11 posted 2012-09-08 03:26 PM

we've all been there to this place you have described so well

makes me smile to know it's in the past and gone now

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

12 posted 2012-09-08 03:53 PM

I imagine most people, at least most thinking people, can say they have lived in the shadows from time to time, passing shadows (even your name bears this out). I manage to return to them when my life blood becomes coagulated with unseemingly debris, but I usually fight my way out of it, as I have just recently managed to do. Thank you passing shadows for being here.

~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

13 posted 2012-09-08 03:59 PM

I think you speak for all of us, Jerry. We all know those shadows. You write them well.
Ida

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

14 posted 2012-09-08 04:11 PM

I know, Ida, unfortunately the shadows hang around far to often for most of us. Thanks!

~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

15 posted 2012-09-12 08:24 AM

depression ripped the petals
from the honest that was my face
my smile a parched caricature
of what it used to be
remembering crumpled notes
left in squalid hotel rooms
words written in desperation
loses its impact

The fact that I'm not the first to quote this passage is testament to its impact... and how many of us have "been there, done that" .... and lived to tell the tale.

Powerful, poignant write!

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

16 posted 2012-09-12 08:29 AM

I thank you profusely, suthern, for the very kind words you have given my poetry this a.m.

~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

MARK V SHELDON
Member Elite

since 2001-06-21

Posts 3015
In a corporeal internship...

17 posted 2012-09-16 08:20 PM

Wow, Jerry... Deep on many levels of interpretation -- especially the allusion I get of "never talking about the yang" i.e, never taking responsibility/blame for one's own actions -- that it's "always the other's fault"... Am I far off base with that read...?

-MVS

You CAN make a difference, but first you should learn how:
http://educate-yourself.org/intro.shtml

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

18 posted 2012-09-16 08:42 PM

No Mark, you are not very far off base at all. In fact you're sitting on the nest of truisms. I do appreciate that you are seeking out my poetry. Yeah, it's an ego thing, but it is pleasant to see someone take an interest on my varied styles of writing. Thank you, sir.

katahdin
Senior Member

since 2010-07-01

Posts 1196
ME. In the Shadow of the Mt.

19 posted 2012-09-17 01:57 AM

Nicley, darkly done! Enjoyed!
Kat >^..^<

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

20 posted 2012-09-17 05:51 AM

Thank you, Kat, appreciate the comment.

~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

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