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Open Poetry #8
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the l.a. sky that night
| Open Poetry #8 |
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the l.a. sky that night |
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bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855
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I should not have been driving that night. The road was full of reflectors like eyes. They were blinking at me -- closed violently Shut as I pulsed over them, fell off the globe. Okay, it wasn't as bad as that. I shouldn't have been driving that night. The air seemed like a cool packet to press through At top speed. The red lights seemed green From the side Of the eye. I should not have been driving last night, What with the cars passing by as if They were floating, as if I were floating, as if The sky was the road and the road was gone. But did I tell you about it -- On top of a friend's roof on 15th? Watching planes overhead like silent moving stars, Until they got closer and revealed their shape. Did I tell you about the fireworks? The way the smog made the sky Flash like lightning when the fireblooms Were behind buildings? We were high up: Enough to see most of L.A. on fire -- The sky sprouting, blooming, dying. There were some searchlights near Century City -- I think it was just a car dealership open late, But I loved the way the edged-fuzzed light Caught the edges of palm trees in the distance. It was a dream to see skycolors spread, spiderlike, Expand, glowing, spread; Then the light almost dead, blooms shriveled, 3 seconds weighed Before thunder echoed onto Santa Monica Blvd. I shouldn't have been driving that night On a lonely 2 a.m. street, Mistaking distance for exhaustion, Almost getting into a street race Because what seemed like revving Was me trying to keep my foot on the pedal. It was irresponsible, careless, stupid. But I will never take it back. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I should not have been driving last night, What with the cars passing by as if They were floating, as if I were floating, as if The sky was the road and the road was gone. --------------- Did I tell you about the fireworks? The way the smog made the sky Flash like lightning when the fireblooms Were behind buildings? We were high up: Enough to see most of L.A. on fire -- The sky sprouting, blooming, dying. ------------- It was a dream to see skycolors spread, spiderlike, Expand, glowing, spread; Then the light almost dead, blooms shriveled, 3 seconds weighed Before thunder echoed onto Santa Monica Blvd. I shouldn't have been driving that night On a lonely 2 a.m. street, Mistaking distance for exhaustion, Almost getting into a street race Because what seemed like revving Was me trying to keep my foot on the pedal. It was irresponsible, careless, stupid. But I will never take it back. ----------------- ya take me there Mike... the imagery, the emotions... i feel it, smell it, hear it you take care of you for me ...K? butterfly slippers What the caterpillar calls the end ... The world calls a butterfly ~LaoTzeTao~ ~Butterflies are meant to be free~ |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Excellent imagery Mike! I've been there when exaustion takes over and the roads play their subtle mind games (I shouldn't have been driving then either ... but some days are long). Excellent poem!  Best wishes, /Kit |
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tracie66 Member Elite
since 2000-01-18
Posts 4713Australia |
great imagery...great message as well thanks Mike Tracie~ Love is the life of the soul... It is the harmony of the universe |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
The last lines did indeed sum it all up for me--grinning now--and I don't even drive! (I know, I know, I'll e ya 'bout that later...) |
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SEA
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676with you |
Mike~ I've had a nght like this one, but totally different, just the same feel...... Excellent poem. -SEALive,Love,Laugh :) ~SueB |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Mike - great words - flowing smoothly - casting shadows and light - I kept holding my breath waiting for disaster - and you left me feeling relieved when you concluded - very smooth - I love it |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
City of my birth...I cry for you...and will remember you as you were... so much of this brings back certain memories... but mostly, the lights below from the hills above... Sunny ~~~Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. Helen Keller ~~~ When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ |
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bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855 |
Butterfly Slippers, thanks for the concern, but I'll take care of me for me. Btw, I'm fine anyway. Kit, yeah, it was not a fun drive back, especially since I had to use two freeways before I could finally hit surface streets. tracie, There was a message? s'en, Let's hear about it, bus girl! SEA, Now that's a great compliment -- to know that even if some of the details are alien, the feeling is more universal. LJA, Don't be a pessimist! Expect great things -- and I don't remember where that phrase comes from.Sunshine, No tears need to be shed; I love it here! And thanks for your compliment, too -- that somebody born in the city finds things that evoke memories of it.Mike [This message has been edited by bsquirrel (edited 07-06-2000).] |
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