Open Poetry #22 |
Texas Department of Concrete |
RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
I An unforgiving Sun with mindless effort employs gravity in it's windless heavy step through air both thin and humid, to trap the unprotected 'neath the shadow of it's jack boot whose sole will stamp forever in the vise it makes with concrete the mark of cain and calumny; the brand of wilt and wither; the seal to dry and die. II Unstoppable the concrete, unquenchable it's thirst, unlimited capacity to steal once fluid souls of their blood and sweat and tears. What was verdant covered over, what was lush it suffocated and what feels it will conform (for it controls the endless sentence and it's curing time's infinite) III The juggernaut expansion will in the end absorb your form, no more than filler ground to powder ashen, lifeless uniform, bound by cemented silence whose paste your tongue deforms, muting passion oozing violence with it's seeping chloraform. IV Once crushed you link it's coarse aggregate, in time inseparable from it's synthetic conglemorate. Even the stain you left on it's surface is bleached by the unyielding Sun or pressure washed by mangled mercy. V Unseen below it's heated surface it entombs, unknown to the vigilantes it enslaves, drawing underground it's victims (as spider, snakes), the private mauling moves like death camp boxcars through slabs in labyrinths, holding cells of din designed to make concrete comforting. Some, buried to the knees yet rail, others to the waist have eyes in terror, madness buoys those heads alone above the concrete. Smooth and colorless are the souless fallen. VI I'll stay on feral green ahead of rumbling mixers, for I've much unused Love and a voice just getting warmed up, off the limestone slabs, away from ruthless crushers, buy time with rainy days and breath without a mask. I'll live, I'll Love, I'll trust, I'll give, I'll Love, I'll lust, much lighter now I must. I must. "Happy people have no history" - French Proverb [This message has been edited by RSWells (08-27-2002 01:13 PM).] |
||
© Copyright 2002 Richard S. Wells jr. - All Rights Reserved | |||
Sandpiper Senior Member
since 2002-06-15
Posts 738land of flora and fauna |
Haunting! |
||
WhiteRose Member Elite
since 2002-07-23
Posts 3208somebody's dungeon |
Haunting indeed, and incredible!! Excellent writing. |
||
VAS Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450Oregon |
Superb, this, and yes, haunting. My favorite lines: Unstoppable the concrete, unquenchable it's thirst, unlimited capacity to steal once fluid souls One of two girls missing since the beginning of the year is suspected to be the identity of the one found beneath a concrete slab in the rapist's yard in Oregon City. Whether on the shoal or on the shore, |
||
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
"the mark of cain and calumny; the brand of wilt and wither; the seal to dry and die" Our forever erring 'human' way of thanking our Mother for the beauty she so lovingly gave us. An amazing masterpiece, heavy with thought. |
||
Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
This weighed down my heart, putting a rock in my stomach, but then lifted my spirt to a wonderful sense of freedom. A very strong piece here Richard. Well done. The most valuable thing you own is a smile, wear it, and share it. |
||
Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I'll stay on feral green ahead of rumbling mixers, for I've much unused Love and a voice just getting warmed up, off the limestone slabs, away from ruthless crushers, buy time with rainy days and breath without a mask. I'll live, I'll Love, I'll trust, I'll give, I'll Love, I'll lust, much lighter now I must. I must. ================================ May the roads rise up to meet you ... May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face ... the rains fall soft upon your field. And until we meet again ... May the Lord hold you in the hollow of His hands. "Olden Irish/Gaelic blessing." yes...you must....and you must write the lessons learned. |
||
bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855 |
RSWells, That's something that can only be written from a lot of living, and so you do. You do. Mike |
||
jellybeans Member Elite
since 2000-10-13
Posts 2298 |
ok, this was not what I expected from the title...and I almost didn't read it when I saw how long it was...but each word pulled me to the next and I felt I 'must' read it....am glad I did......wonderful write *claps her hands* |
||
⇧ top of page ⇧ | ||
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. |