»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #48
»
The Chair
| Open Poetry #48 |
|
The Chair |
|
|
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California 
|
The Chair I walked into the darkened room, and looked to that old chair... Caught the faint whiff of sweet perfume, 'twas like she still sat there. The moment lingered, lost to time, and jumbled in my head A billion thoughts, that screamed in rhyme, and plagued my empty bed. At times her voice awakened me, and I'd dart down the hall To realize, forsaken effigy, I'd heard nothing at all. A trick of Hope, the pain cut deep from truths revealed too soon, Pulling me from my bitter sleep to a glorified ruin. Emptiness, released from its stores, slowly enveloped all. I took the pens out of the drawers - the photos off the wall. To, in shamed pits of sorrow dwell, hung by the dwindling strands Dreams of darkness never fortell, but Destiny demands... And so laid my wondrous tribute, right there, at the chair's feet. A sacrifice none could refute, before the judgement seat. I lit the matches, one by one, dropping them to the floor. Then turned, with my offering done, and walked out the front door... To face the world, cursed by conscience, holding it in contempt; Knowing the pain of consequence as all my thoughts preempt. The sirens screamed, the trucks rushed by, but I walked on, alone. Leaving, in the ashes to die, all I had ever known. I played the game set before me, not fathoming the rules. Knowing nothing could restore me, in a contest fixed by fools. Waiting on a morrow that never came, to cash in what I'd lost; Or draw severance from life ever given to holocaust. And still that urge falls upon me to return to my past, Seeing my shadow follow me with direction miscast. I turn, as if drawn by mystique, like a preprogrammed clone; That stands and smiles, with thoughts unique - yet somehow not my own. To find myself on my old street, as the memories stir... All those things I thought deleted, bringing the eyes to blur. 'Turn up the walk, with palms laid bare upheld in devastation - Ruin and ash about the chair, still there, calling for my cessation. Michael Anderson 1/24/2012 I strike! It quivers in that heart Which drives me to this end; I draw and kiss the bloody dart, My last-my only friend! ~Abraham Lincoln [This message has been edited by Michael (01-24-2012 04:54 PM).] |
||
| © Copyright 2012 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Quite a ride seeing that old chair delivered to you, Michael. Destroying what gave pain, reducing it to ashes. Walking away,out of sight out of mind. Wait. No, not quite, turn back and revisit that place of sorrow, who knows,maybe the chair survived. ~*~ I gave up feeling guilty just to survive a long time ago ~*~ |
||
|
bel1e Senior Member
since 2006-07-24
Posts 1631 |
I think I had a chair like that once too.... ~write on, Michael~*~ |
||
|
JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
"And still that urge falls upon me to return to my past, Seeing my shadow follow me with direction miscast. I turn, as if drawn by mystique, like a preprogrammed clone; That stands and smiles, with thoughts unique - yet somehow not my own." Man, that is a masterfully written piece of work, my friend. I can so relate to this verse. Enjoyed the read! 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. |
||
|
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
JP, yeah that chair's still sitting there in the ashes... the haunt of my life, proof that material things, or rather the destruction of them, does not erase damage done to the mind. Lol Bel1e, I'm sorry to hear that... I have some extra matches though, let me know if you decide you want to light it up. JL, yup... It's so hard to walk forward thinking back. The past never likes to let go. You have to take control and make your thoughts "truly" your own. Thanks all. Michael |
||
suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
It would be hard to pick a favorite line here... for I love them all... including the line from your response "It's so hard to walk forward thinking back." *S* The past does pull us back... and some of those pulls give us smiles as fond memories strengthen us with their touch... but all too often, we remember our failures and hold onto our hurts... and even a holocaust that destroys everything else can't seem to destroy that miserable magnet. *sigh* Magnificent write, my friend! *S* |
||
|
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Indeed, Ruth... That magnet can seem inescapable. And it's presence is only worsened if you are feeling it from the ashes of all you've destroyed around you trying to break free from that pull. Thank you the complimentary and in-depth reply. Michael |
||
|
Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
Yes, the past does hang on, Michael, especially for those of us who are a bit more intense than others. As sad as it is, it does provide some fine poetry. Ida |
||
|
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Ida, lol... it definately does cater to the poets, doesn't it? Thanks you, I'm glad you enjoyed this. Michael |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
