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Open Poetry #8
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The Glass Eyed City
| Open Poetry #8 |
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The Glass Eyed City |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California 
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(I felt the need to repost this after a trip in the early morning to the LA Flower Market, near skid row.) The Glass-eyed City Home had been this cardboard box and sundry boards placed just so, broken on the ground now, with his books and magazines scattered and torn. Might as well have picked him up and shredded him into pieces and thrown him into the breeze that crossed the sidewalk. His flashlight lay in pieces, its spring exposed like a broken spinal cord on the black asphalt of the parking lot. Now his belongings fit in the cardboard box and he had no home because this act of breaking had taken the small hope that had found dignity in some boards. I have nothing he thought until Tom, with the golden Buick stopped, and said, in matter of fact words, that flashlight’s broken, not knowing the importance of a flashlight in the darkness of some lives. The gangly, skinny kid with eyes like sky on a cloudless day trusted the other who no one trusted. Trust built from talk of car engines. You want to go for a ride, he asked, and something happened then something invisible and sweet. This man of no hope, let a piece of his heart out, let it float there in the air between them then clasp onto this kid of infinite possibility. The box with all his belongings got smaller as they drove into the glass-eyed city. He turned and saw it small and inconsequential on the sidewalk. |
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| © Copyright 2000 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved | |||
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Wonderful piece Martie, enchanting and sad building to smiles and hope. Enjoyed it much. jwesley |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
I remember this well. It is exceptionally touching. Another book sumission? Great work, Martie Liz |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
I remember this one, too, Martie! Thanks for reposting it!  Denise |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
jwesley--thanks for your hope comment on this poem...because that's what it's all about. Liz and Denise--thanks for reading this again and telling me you like it...I appreciate it. |
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Mark Bohannan Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269In the winds of Cherokee song |
There is much hope shining through your words in this one and all it takes is a little effort and caring from each of us to help in this plight. Well written as always but more importantly you have opened a world of promise to us. Thanks much. |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Read this, I believe, for the first time and felt muchly rewarded... A great poem, Martie... regards, sudhir |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Wonderful presentation Martie. I love the way you layed the story out. Ya got my click take care...ethome....... |
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Butterflies_dont_cry Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733Michigan |
For mere words to hold such feeling is amazing Martie.....wonderful work, so glad you shared this again for those who never saw it~ |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Mark--thank you for your kindness and your loving spirit. Sudhir--Thank you for reading it and making such a nice reply. Thanks Ethome--I'm glad you liked the presentation...it's actually part of a work of fiction. Butterflies--Feelings are important, yes..thank you for your sweet comment. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Loved the theme here Martie, and you paint the visuals so well...truly a gem, here... |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Martie~ The hope for a better tomorrow is sometimes just a Buick away. Thanks for reminding us of the humble necessity of helping others. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ [email protected] |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Wonderful, Martie. The reality is that we are all just so many steps from being homeless. Sometimes I wonder, though, the birds and squirrels manage without a permanent home, why can't we??? Corinne |
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Lone Wolf Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842Lansing, MI USA |
Martie, Thank you for the repost!! The truth of this piece is so sad. Really makes you appreciate what you have though. Wonderful writing. Lone Wolf Poetry should surprise by fine excess...it should strike the reader as a wording of his own highest thoughts and appear almost a remembrance. -J.Keats |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Beautiful again, Martie..... |
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