Open Poetry #14 |
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Toothpicks and Dolls |
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SpitFire Member Elite
since 2000-04-19
Posts 2396![]() |
I cradled toothpicks stuck in cloth-like figures, silently suffering, secretly swimming in the torture of anger and wood. That’s what the boxes of them surfaced for, their purpose in plan, laid out in junk drawers, anticipating their duty. How do you find inspiration in toothpicks and dolls? How do you approach the thoughts that seem to gather in the chain link - in the fences on the corner of the busiest intersection of your mind? I removed splinters in dreams from cotton and crying, I witnessed tears seep from dolls I’d thought were dead. And here I was engulfed in missing and wishing and sigh. I wondered where the needles hid, and why wood replaced the insert, the wounds wouldn’t be as clean this way, they couldn’t be. The sticks were snagging skin from plants, releasing filling to the wind as I pulled. Perhaps the pieces blowing, were the ones that caused the pain. Maybe I’d done a good thing in removing them. They tore at shells and exposed the flesh of figures resembling myself, but I taped, and got high off of fumes from adhesive, (I’d poison myself with the stuff to mend what’s happened), then I wrapped them in tissues and ribbons and silk, and now they're resting, resting in gardens so alive, they breathe. |
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© Copyright 2001 SpitFire - All Rights Reserved | |||
catalinamoon![]()
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
This is stunning. Shades of the plastic horse...Perfect. Sandra |
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Marge Tindal![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
SpitFire~ Awesome write. 'How do you approach the thoughts that seem to gather in the chain link - in the fences on the corner of the busiest intersection of your mind?' You dance around words in perfection. I enjoyed this. *I LIKE your new picture. ![]() ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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JLR Senior Member
since 2001-02-04
Posts 1785 |
The depth of this piece is impressive. From the pain, the questioning...to the resting. Enjoyed! |
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
The sticks were snagging skin from plants, releasing filling to the wind as I pulled. Perhaps the pieces blowing, were the ones that caused the pain. Maybe I’d done a good thing in removing them. Dolls are potent symbols in this piece their impact is extremely powerful. You have my brain look at both the lines and in between the lines. I am awe stuck by this poem. "Build a man a fire, he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life". Terry Pratchett |
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Mistletoe Angel![]() ![]() ![]()
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
BRAVO!!! Powerful symbolism and cadence in this powerful piece of pain, anxiety, and finally...serenity! WOW, I used to feel like this all the time, like the devil was holding my voo-doo doll in his grasp, and sticking splinters through me and haunting me with nightmares! BRAVO!!! Only after beginning to grow up now have I realized that self-loathing and doubt only pushes the needle further in, and I've learned to push them out one by one with the powers of love invested in me! BRAVO!!! Marvelous poem, you deserve a great standing ovation!!! You have such a beautiful heart, dear friend, thank you for sharing! May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton |
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Logan Senior Member
since 2001-05-28
Posts 1641Arkansas |
Ahhh, so in depth, SpitFire, touching and such gentleness in the mending...gentle smile |
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
Wow! My library must have this deep thought-provoking poem. This is so phenomenal, I have read it three times and will probably read it a few more times tonight. You should be very proud of this ![]() Take care, Melissa~ |
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VAS Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450Oregon |
Wow! Stunning! yes, and I'm stunned to being in awe. |
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Lone Wolf Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842Lansing, MI USA |
SF, your writing never ceases to leave me here in awe, my friend. So much power and strength in these words. I hope that all is well with you. We'll talk soon. Take care....LW ![]() All writing comes |
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Sven![]() ![]()
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
you write this so well. . . totally from the depths of you. . . excellent. . . ---------------------------------------------------------- To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
You my friend are such an artist--I always am in awe after I read. Always a treat of a read when I peek in. A smooth journey of a poem. ![]() |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I cradled toothpicks stuck in cloth-like figures, silently suffering, secretly swimming in the torture of anger and wood. ========================= I removed splinters in dreams from cotton and crying, I witnessed tears seep from dolls I’d thought were dead. And here I was engulfed in missing and wishing and sigh. ============================== The sticks were snagging skin from plants, releasing filling to the wind as I pulled. Perhaps the pieces blowing, were the ones that caused the pain. Maybe I’d done a good thing in removing them. ============================== (I’d poison myself with the stuff to mend what’s happened), then I wrapped them in tissues and ribbons and silk, and now they're resting, resting in gardens so alive, they breathe. =========================== and with every write...in the release ... so will you .... *shaking my head* did ya ever notice the word awe comes up around you a lot *smile* AWE-some write A. ![]() she said I dont know why you ever would lie to me |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
I sit here, Awe-struck! You are amazing, seriously I am speechless, you're incredible. I want more! ![]() Maree |
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jenni Member
since 1999-09-11
Posts 478Washington D.C. |
spitfire-- i don't get into the open forum all that often, but a friend sent me the link to this and said i should check it out. am i ever glad she did! this is such a remarkable poem, the piece has such vivid imagery and wonderful rhythm, such movement and emotion from beginning to end. well done! i can only echo janet marie and dark angel: awesome! more! ![]() thanks for sharing this with us, jenni [This message has been edited by jenni (edited 06-11-2001).] |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
Had to have another read and add it to my library ![]() |
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Effigy Member
since 2000-04-11
Posts 486disbelief |
This is a truely wonderful read. Maybe I shall have a second go. |
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SpitFire Member Elite
since 2000-04-19
Posts 2396 |
~Sandra, thank you for the stunning. My goodness girlie. Oh and the plastic horse thing is delighting AND baffling me. (That was such a silly write). Anyway, thank you. Always. ~Marge, where do I begin? Thank you firstly for reading my words, and then, for all the wonderful ones that you left behind in response. You're lovely. ~JLR, please know that I am thankful for your taking the time to read what I've written, and for leaving such thoughtful words in your reply. ~Brian, ah B, glad to have you stop by. Thank you for the things you've said, and for looking there, between the lines etc. I appreciate a good diggin'. ~MA, Noah Eaton, my goodness, what do I say to such an outpour of thoughtfulness and caring. Your response is still glowing. Thank you. ~Logan, I'd really like to thank you for coming in for a read, and for leaving me with your thoughts on it. ~Melissa, oh my. Your reply was and IS so appreciated, thank you for putting something of me into your library. ~VAS, my oh my. Thank you! What you've said and say, is always appreciated here. Truly. Thanks. ~Jenn, hey you, thanks for reading this and for your words of concern and reply, glad we got to talk finally. ~Sven, and you read. You always read. Thank you. For that, and for what you've left in response. ~Serenity, let me first say, Happy Birthday Baby! And then, a big huge thank you for all you said and say. ~Janet Marie, yep! It's comforting knowing that you know (it helps me to believe) - and thank you for coming, for being you. ~Maree, you and the words you leave behind are far too generous, (not that I don't appreciate them or you), it's just that you always surprise me with such praise. Thank you. And Happy Birthday! ~Jenni, so glad to have you visit, and thank you for doing so. Your words are encouraging to me. I appreciate your thoughts and comments. ~Effigy, thank you for stopping in and leaving such words as you have. Good to see you around! *Please know that I apologize for taking so long to reply to your replies, (and all the other ones I've yet to thank you for), I really am grateful for every one of your's input, thoughts, every drip of response is appreciated. You guys fill me up! Please be taking care. *Peace poets. [This message has been edited by SpitFire (edited 06-15-2001).] |
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