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Open Poetry #7
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American Dream
| Open Poetry #7 |
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American Dream |
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Rodney Belcher Member
since 2000-06-06
Posts 227Taylor, Michigan |
The filth is so thick, though not readily apparent The outward appearance belying the depth of the mire. I scrub and I scrape, there are so many layers The body may be clean, but the soul is forever stained. There is a history here and a distinctive smell... A history of muck mixed with the stench of failure. Tormented souls of the lost, bodies trapped while their minds wandered. Enslaved to a machine, two become one Drying my hands, I pay homage with a nod and a solemn smile As the water, tainted with the grit of weary spirits, drains < !signature--> [This message has been edited by Rodney Belcher (edited 06-08-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Rodney Belcher - All Rights Reserved | |||
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sarahC Member
since 2000-06-07
Posts 84Michigan |
I think of the inner cities, the homeless and the degredation of our society when I read this....I hope it is the message you were trying to get accross...very good.well written!!  |
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JP Senior Member
since 1999-05-25
Posts 1343Loomis, CA |
Very well done Rodney. I am left with thoughts of Marx and Engle (Socialism), but am interested in getting your take on the impetus for this work. Nicely writ my good man. Yesterday is ash, tomorrow is smoke; only today does the fire burn. JP |
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Rodney Belcher Member
since 2000-06-06
Posts 227Taylor, Michigan |
Well Sarah...degradation that is more or less self impossed...inner city is close because most factories are in the cities or at least draw their work force from there. JP...you are not too far off...I have worked in an auto plant for the past 6 years and have often thought about those who slaved before me. I am a strong liberal and dedicated union man. But I ride the fence just this side of socialism. I actually think in theory that socialism is the best thing going, but that it will never work because of "human nature." Today, so many, but not all, of my fellow workers become dependant on the money and lose sight of the more important things. They work, drink, and sleep. They, in essense, become almost less than human and more machine-like. It is sad that a life can be lowered to such a level that you only "exist" - not truly live. The funny thing is...I write at work mostly...almost as if that scenario stimulates my creativity. |
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nando Member
since 2000-06-09
Posts 87Vaxjo, Smaland, Sweden |
Rodney... I like it, it makes me think of a poem by W.B.Yeats "Innisfree". Not quite the same, but I get the same connotations of being trapped in a place or a state of mind where you don´t really want to be.... -nando- Ask me how to live your life, and this to you I´ll say: make your choises true and wise, so that when tomorrow will arise, you´ll smile at yesterday... |
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
I do believe that socalism should work as should Democracy. Again both have been abused by human nature. At the moment in Ireland we are in the middle of another Tribunal investigating a political scandal. The filth is so thick, though not readily apparent The outward appearance belying the depth of the mire. I scrub and I scrape, there are so many layers The body may be clean, but the soul is forever stained. Oh I can relate to this. "Power tends to crrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Acton a wonderful poem. Well written. ------------------------ "I've been too honest with myself I should have lied like everybody else"-Richey Edwards "Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time". Baltimore Grotto "Libraries gave us power Then work came and made us free What price now for a shallow piece of dignity" Nicky Wire, A design for Life. manic street preachers "Rock 'n' roll is our epiphany Culture, alienation, boredom and despair" "To be nobody-but-yourself-in a world which is doing its best night and day, to make you everybody else - means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting." E.E Cummings. |
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