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Toddles
Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396
New Orleans, Louisiana

0 posted 2000-07-24 01:07 PM


In Broad Darkness


Tonight, a torch song is burning,
on the levee in Gramercy,
a bonfire, a distant always,
as hot as nineteen eighty-three.
After church we walked in silence,
beneath the tangled oaks, I knew,
and figured Satan was upset,
when i sold my soul to you...
For a moon you never owned,
for a night of stars and bliss,
baptized in broad darkness,
hey, did we invent the kiss?
Divine and human, all at once
it went beyond blood brothers,
before we knew the sin and shame
imposed by peers and christian mothers.
Southern closets grow damp and cold
with fear and condemnation dealt
to boys who did not fit the mold
they beat us with the bible belt.
Through prayers for grace, my soul confessed...
plum naked was your sunday best!


By Todd-Michael Phillips







© Copyright 2000 Todd-Michael Phillips - All Rights Reserved
Lady Lost
Member
since 2000-07-13
Posts 470

1 posted 2000-07-24 03:34 PM


I am really digging your poetry, Todd!  This one really brought tears to my eyes ... great job..I'm looking forward to more!

You can never have too much fiction; reality can be such a bore

Toddles
Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396
New Orleans, Louisiana
2 posted 2000-07-25 07:22 PM


Many, many thanks for your appreciation!
AVANTI
Senior Member
since 2000-02-02
Posts 664
INDIA/MAHARASHTRA/PUNE
3 posted 2000-07-26 03:00 AM


WELL WRITTEN...
GOOD WORK

If all was light...then I would have never learnt the dark...from which such truth evolves
from which evolves the light...
Avanti Rao


Toddles
Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396
New Orleans, Louisiana
4 posted 2000-07-26 06:37 AM


I am assuming that it is obvious that this particular poem is about "A GAY experience" regardless of your personal feelings about the lifestyle, when I wrote this it was an honest reaction to an honest experience! I was 15 years old at the time & it was a memorable & valid point in my life. I still believe that on some level we are all innately Bisexual. I know that all of us here at PASSIONS have different views but I think that part of being a valid & true-to-thine-own-self writer is to draw from your own personal accounts of history and of life as we have experienced it, so this is a memory and a moment in time that I will not forget or regret!!!! It is about oppression in the deep-south and about the human experience for a boy in his teens who awakens to his natural desires & confronts feelings that were taboo in his region! Love it or hate it.... This is LIFE uncensored!!!!!

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
5 posted 2000-07-26 09:07 AM


Todd - I'm reading not only this, but more of your works as well... This may be very intense subject matter, but in my opinion you've handled it quite sensitively...  Nice chatting..

I'm enjoying your work, sir...

Toddles
Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396
New Orleans, Louisiana
6 posted 2000-07-26 04:17 PM


Ahhhhhhhhhhh Nan ....WOW.... you really made my day & I feel like bowing & saying "I'm not worthy!"

Again ...Thank You


ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
7 posted 2000-07-26 04:24 PM


Todd art is art and heart is heart and you use all four of those very well! Keep the pen moving I'm alwya looking for a great read like this one!
Toddles
Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396
New Orleans, Louisiana
8 posted 2000-07-27 02:25 AM


Ethome: Thanks for the vote of confidence!!!

Stealnakis
New Member
since 2000-07-27
Posts 3
Louisville, KY
9 posted 2000-07-27 02:55 AM


You captured the spirituality of that event in your life and have been able to share it with us.  Congratulations...I'm still trying to figure out how to do that.

What makes us discontented with our condition is the absurdly exaggerated idea we have of the happiness of others.-- Anonymous

Toddles
Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396
New Orleans, Louisiana
10 posted 2000-07-27 08:00 PM


Stealnakis: Yes it is often difficult to bare all "Nakedly" onto paper, but I think I write as much for therapy to myself as I do for others to peer into my soul. I appreciate your comments immensely!


N2Wishin
Junior Member
since 2000-07-27
Posts 38

11 posted 2000-07-28 04:12 PM


You are an excellent writer my friend!!!!!
Toddles
Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396
New Orleans, Louisiana
12 posted 2000-07-28 05:58 PM


Thank You N2Wishin!!!

Toddles
Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396
New Orleans, Louisiana
13 posted 2000-07-30 02:36 AM


And to all who gave positive feedback concerning this title!!!

N2Wishin
Junior Member
since 2000-07-27
Posts 38

14 posted 2000-07-31 02:29 AM


Still one of your best!
Toddles
Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396
New Orleans, Louisiana
15 posted 2000-07-31 01:04 PM







Thanks!!!





[This message has been edited by Toddles (edited 07-31-2000).]

dgvarner
Member Elite
since 2000-05-13
Posts 3552
High Springs, Florida
16 posted 2000-07-31 04:00 PM


todd..i wasnt sure, at first reading--i thought it was about 2 guys, 2 girls..but then i questioned that..
explanation was, of course, not necessary, but cleared things up a bit for those of us who were not quite certain!  

youve done a wonderful job with a touchy subject..i'm glad youre getting positive feed-back  

and what a good "therapy" youve chosen..i mostly use my pen for sifting as well!!  

hope to read more from you friend  

dg


"Half of what i say is meaningless; but i say it so that the other half may reach you."
-Kahlil Gibran


Toddles
Member
since 2000-07-24
Posts 396
New Orleans, Louisiana
17 posted 2000-08-07 10:32 PM


DGvarner:


The poem is more about the enjoyment of the experience and the lack of regret! Thanks for replying!

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