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Open Poetry #6
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Michael
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Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California

0 posted 2000-03-22 07:36 PM


WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU


They say that what doesn't kill you,
Only makes you stronger.
I can attest such words are true,
By love living no longer.

I walked this darkened path of guilt,
Bearing your cross of shame.
Mocked in every emotion felt,
For belief in your name.

Your promises to nurture me,
The mending of my pain.
All merely a fallacy
Of hope given disdain.

A web you spun with silken craft,
Mesmerizing your prey.
With smiling eyes that loved and laughed,
Then quickly looked away.

A heart of gold come with a price
No man could ever pay.
Flailing, now, helpless sacrifice,
The vultures smile today.

Yes, feed on me! Yes, bleed my soul!
Then crawl off to your cave.
Spin your next victim a bed roll,
And lure Love to it's grave.

While by flesh ripped, all have a taste,
But, lo, I gain their strength.
Healing ten fold your cast of waste
That love I may at length.

Nay, don't look back to carnage passed,
Lest greed take the whoremonger!
For stifling eyes won't sympathize,
And it's clear now who's stronger!

Michael Anderson




 For all behind was dark and drear,
And all before was night and fear.
How many hours of night or day
In those suspended pangs I lay,
I could not tell; I scarcely knew
If this were human breath I drew.

Lord Byron



© Copyright 2000 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved
Rosalind Palafox
Registered
Member
Posts 88

1 posted 2000-03-22 07:38 PM


I loved this poem! This would be perfect to recite at an open poetry cafe. I like the emotions in it.
Rosalind Palafox

 "Love knows hidden paths."-German proverb

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
2 posted 2000-03-22 07:57 PM


Wow, Michael~
You've sure nailed this one !
It is good to see you emerging strong.
~*Marge*~



 ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com


Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
3 posted 2000-03-22 08:00 PM


*stepping back* Well...this is powerful..glad to see you with your poetic fist held up in the air!  
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
4 posted 2000-03-22 08:12 PM


Hey - Stay strong, my friend...I have great faith in you..
Meadowmuse
Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263

5 posted 2000-03-22 08:28 PM


Michael, this is a striking piece of poetry...full of powerful and seering images. What a gift you have for conveying, through word, your thoughts and feelings! With each poem of yours that I read, I come away with knowing that I have learned something. This pattern holds fast, my friend. Superb in every way.

~ Claire

Martie
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
6 posted 2000-03-22 09:58 PM


Wow, Michael, I can feel your muscle, and it feels GOOD!  Great strong piece!
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
7 posted 2000-03-22 10:22 PM


I can see I'm not the only one roaring here  
Marina
Member Elite
since 2000-02-10
Posts 2245
Pickering, Ontario
8 posted 2000-03-22 10:54 PM


An excellent display of powerful emotions and I feel you gaining control again. Good to see you "Back in the saddle" my friend...stay strong and victory is yours!

Marina

Alwye
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Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850
In the space between moments
9 posted 2000-03-22 11:05 PM


Exellent, powerful, and assertive piece Michael.  You have so many vivid images here, my friend.  Stay strong.  

 *Krista Knutson*

~*Only when trudging through the soul's darkest midnight can one truly appreciate the glory of the sunrise*~



serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

10 posted 2000-03-22 11:36 PM


Incredible Michael strikes again!
Red
Member
since 2000-01-01
Posts 143
Ca
11 posted 2000-03-22 11:45 PM


Just one question.... how do you do it time and time again?  Can I have your muse?lol
devina
Member Elite
since 1999-10-28
Posts 3539
Cali
12 posted 2000-03-22 11:49 PM


I love the ease with which you express yourself...this is definantly a strong point of yours...

And your words are so true...if not, I'd surely be dead...then I wouldn't have found you!!!

 Open arms can be the most fragile in the world...


WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
13 posted 2000-03-22 11:56 PM


Bravo Bravo!! Clapping!!  Very strong it is, I echo the above and then some!
Skyfyre
Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap
14 posted 2000-03-23 12:00 PM


"The vultures smile today"

I must admit I was reading this by rote until I hit that line -- you always find some way to surprise, Michael, which is why I keep coming back for more.  Excellent work.

--Me  


 Full fathom five thy father lies,
Of his bones are coral made,
Those are pearls that were his eyes;
Nothing of him that doth fade
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange...


--William Shakespeare, from The Tempest


Mistikman
Senior Member
since 2000-01-10
Posts 682
San Jose, CA, USA
15 posted 2000-03-23 03:24 AM


Excellent job at an uplifting piece Michael, you are an inspiration to us all  
Nicole
Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835
Florida
16 posted 2000-03-23 04:08 AM


Why do I feel this outrageous need to roar?!!!     My friend, this is excellent...We all definately know who's stronger.
Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
17 posted 2000-03-23 04:19 AM


I only say I know Mike. I too know.
You echo me again with pain and sorrow. Your strength I can only hope someday to achieve... your poetic prowess... never. I bow to you oh master of the darkness.

[This message has been edited by Christopher (edited 03-23-2000).]

~one voice~
Senior Member
since 1999-07-08
Posts 664
Billings, MT USA
18 posted 2000-03-23 05:46 AM


Michael, you have a wonderful talent!  I always love to read your work.

 ~onevoice~

"And Something's odd-within-
That person that I was-
And this One-do not feel the same-
Could it be Madness-this?"
Emily Dickinson


Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
19 posted 2000-03-23 11:24 AM


Rosalind, to carry the mood I was in when I wrote this I might scare away half the cafe...LOL

Marge & PdV, thank you both.

Nan, I will - and I'm glad you do...

Claire, don't know what I could have possibly taught you with this but I am humbled by such a compliment.

Martie, here - let me flex for ya...LOL

Ruth, indeed - I had to let a little one out today myself...

Marina, I will and I see it in the distance.

Krista - I think this is what we call positive release of negative emotion...LOL

serenity    

Red, I've been trying to "off" this particular muse for awhile now - come & get it please!!!

devina - you are a strength all your own, hun, that is for sure - and one I can definately appreciate.  So glad you found me too, babe.  

Rebecca, thanks - and feel free to chime in with the echo anytime...

Kess, glad I could raise an eyebrow there...LOL

Mistik, quite a compliment there guy - sincerest thanks.

Satiate, let me hear that roar girl!  I know you have it in you.

Chris - You give me WAY too much credit, but I know you understand my emotion only too well.  It's funny you look to me as stronger - I always thought of you as "stronger" than me in this regard. Maybe you just don't see that aspect of yourself, yet.

~one voice~
Certainly been a long time, I always loved reading your work too.  I understand Scott is there with you - be sure and tell him I said "hi". Hope you will continue on with us even when he leaves.


Thank you all for the kind replies.


Michael



[This message has been edited by Michael (edited 03-23-2000).]

Tess
Member
since 2000-03-22
Posts 288
Australia
20 posted 2000-03-23 11:32 AM


And this poem seemed to grow stronger with each verse..but the part that sticks in my mind most is the bit after bleed my soul...such powerful images and emotions..an awesome work

Tess

 "What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two
bodies."
-Aristotle


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