Open Poetry #2 |
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Old Photographs |
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Wendy Junior Member
since 1999-09-10
Posts 16Vermont |
They stare at the birdie with haunted posture, Starched men holding their collective breaths Beneath waistcoat and cumberbund, Willing themselves out of a fidget, And praying the moustache wax won't melt In this relentless noon sun. The wives and daughters, cinched grim In petticoat and cruel wire, Dab at moisture clinging to lips Like the steam of the china teacup. Their mouths, strained at the corners, Poised terse and ready for posterity. In hushed sepia tones they record the moment, In tintype later mouthed by the teething babe, Generations of classical noses and chiseled jaws, Of wearing someone else's eyes Along with the hand-me-down lace. It seems the all of history Was awash in brown brick, And wan desolate composures; The family pearls strung like a noose, The watch fob dangling like a hellish chain. |
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© Copyright 1999 Wendy - All Rights Reserved | |||
Isis Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-06
Posts 6296Sunny Queensland |
Well written, but you make the whole era sound so dismal and fake. The times were happy only perhaps not the photography. It would've been a wonderful time to be in the world........: ------------------ Words that enlighten the soul are more precious than jewels. ~Isis~ |
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Paul Allen Lupien Member
since 1999-09-09
Posts 114Ferndale,Mi.USA |
Yes,yes,yes! The poem has a unique vision,a perspective never quite seen before-worth writing and well written.The sepia mood is a real one and dark as it may be,it serves to remind us that our tiny "reality" is not absolute but that it is absolutely tied to a larger picture-linked to a forever past,we are the past of someone elses future-a sobering thought indeed which can enlarge ones own life-thought parameters.To me,this is a very good poem indeed. ------------------ |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Nicely done...wonderful use of imagery in this piece. I've had the pleasure of seeing some of these old, old photos of mambers of my family. Everyone bundled up in their, or someone elses, Sunday best to get their picture taken. Fake smiles plastered on weathered faces. I especially liked these last two lines "The family pearls strung like a noose, The watch fob dangling like a hellish chain." Wonderful!! ------------------ "The role of the writer is not to say what we can all say, but what we are unable to say." ~Anais Nin |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
I enjoyed this Wendy. I have seen pictures like this from the past! You describe them very well, indeed! ![]() ------------------ Denise |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
I enjoy the entire poem but "willing themselves out of a fidget" really strikes me. So I'm strange...... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Wendy, the ultimate compliment is that one of the other members, Savana, told me to go and read this poem of yours. And I am so glad she did. The attorney I work with is a re-enactor of the times you laid out so well in this piece...with your permission, I would like to give him a copy of this. Well done, young lady. |
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Wendy Junior Member
since 1999-09-10
Posts 16Vermont |
Thank you for the compliment, and yes, of course you can use it! To get my full name, e-mail me at [email protected] :-) |
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Billy Junior Member
since 1999-09-05
Posts 25 |
This one is flawless. Thank you for sharing it with us. You are very talented. I'm looking forward to reading more of your work. |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Wonderful work, Wendy, Glad I found my way back to this one. Michael |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
I'm picturing "classic noses and chiseled jaws".... and yet another from the 2Lip one... C'mon back now, hear??? |
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Wendy Junior Member
since 1999-09-10
Posts 16Vermont |
Thank you all for your kind words! This one has been ruminating around in my head for quite some time! :-) |
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