Open Poetry #48 |
Old Lovers |
JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Uploaded with ImageShack.us ah, springtime scent is lost the cemetery has no fence (where the hell do you think they'd go?) I hear giggling in my thoughts kisses like hailstone beat down on me I seem to identify each stone with a face or maybe not the sun is in my eyes as I plod along, arms down by my side I stop, look at the paper in my hand names and grave locations calls to mind a Shakespearean-influenced caldron of regret and misery where recall is timid and difficult my belly fermenting with cheap California burgundy as I try to read the hieroglyphs on this piece of paper I look around graves, old graves tombstones cracked and ruptured one and all I sit down among the dead turn up the bottle of red (Billy Joel singing in my head) gurgle more cheap buzz grunting, I stagger to my feet springtime or no it's hot in this necropolis or maybe it's the red (go away Billy Joel) I'm hallucinating for some toadstools and tabs of acid I prop a hand on an old decaying tree give the residence of death one more sad-eyed look and begin to stumble away from the old graves of all my lovers and more than those I run from the fresh dirt of an old lover's new grave ©April 7, 2012 / Jerry Pat Bolton ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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© Copyright 2012 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved | |||
ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
excellent, especially the ending.. I have to run, yard trees fell over in this big snowstorm, and I gotta' go prop them up.. But just needed to read something good before I went out.. Thanks Jerry |
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Lori Grosser Rhoden Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202Fair to middlin' of nowhere |
You never cease to amaze me where you go on your walks and how it is so vivid and usually chilling. Excellent write my friend! Lori |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Thank you for the nice compliment, Ice, and good luck propping the trees. <><><><> I do tend to incorporate dark, sometimes even sinister things , as you say, "on your walks." I so appreciate your continued support concerning my poetry, Lori. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
quote: Wow! These sad surroundings have brought superb inspiration I say! I think it is impossible not to hear whispers in cemeteries, whispers of a specific time that has stopped heartbeats and lives, yet carries on in memories ... It's a place where I feel good only when there is sunshine ... You did a great job. Margherita |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Margherita, thank you dearly for your kind words. I live about two blocks from an old, old, old cemetery and I go there frequently to just absorb. I live in the part of the world where people are buried above ground, because we are below sea level here. The are buried in crypts and smaller enclosures. This poem came from some thoughts I had one day. Thank you again. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Some remarkable imagery in this one, Jerry. Not a big fan of cemetarys myself... I think I trudge that cemetary in my head too often to appreciate properly the final resting places of those I loved. Or mayhap it's the perception that they're not there at all anymore I cling too. Love the way you ended it as well... They say, "the first cut is the deepest" but the ones that are still fresh are always most damnable, aren't they? Michael |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Yes, Michael, the fresh ones are always the most damnable. I appreciate your stopping and reading and giving your input on my poem today. Thank you. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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Startime1955 Senior Member
since 2012-04-22
Posts 1072Alberta, Canada |
Believe it or not this poem opened visions of long ago love remembered as you brought them forth through your words...this poem left me remembering that even over great time love can be felt again... |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Thank you, Startime, for stopping by and reading my effort. Yes. Love can surely be felt over a great time. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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ebonygirl Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000California U.S.A |
Great story JP, vivid images, heartfelt sadness. ms. e |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Thank you, ms. e, for your kindness. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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MICHELMAS Member
since 2012-02-15
Posts 305Lancashire England |
Brings back memories of the Haworth graveyard in Yorkshire,the home of the Bronte sisters. No room between the graves, old headstones, and the rooks in the trees above. I think you would like Michael |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Sounds like I would have liked it, Michael, thanks for visiting this morning. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Ya just can't cremate those memories can you Jerry? Interesting setting for the recall and very well written.... Eric true love never looks after it's own interests |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Nope,Eric, you surely cannot cremate memories, they ten to linger and linger and .. . Especially the tragic ones . . . ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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ken206573 Member
since 2008-10-14
Posts 487 |
Very vivid indeed, the only time I went to one was when I was 10 to rest our grandfather. I do miss those who have gone and you showed much of how I felt for them in your poem. Enjoyed your lovers tale, be well my friend |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
Thank you, ken, I appreciate your thoughtful words. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Your words are so vivid I feel I staggered with you, Billy Joel soundtrack and all. LOL Loved this... especially the ending! |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
It wouldn't have been the same without Billy Joel, now would it have, suthern. Appreciate the read and the kind words. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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