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Open Poetry #32
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Burning Down The Memories
| Open Poetry #32 |
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Burning Down The Memories |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows 
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I wish the world stood for me straight and clean without mean streets, white sheets of hatred tucked away in bitter hearts, pancake made-up politicians' greed offering bigotry disguised as social welfare, social workfare, social life scare, medi-doesn't-care, "...if you vote for me, I'll throw money at you, but just be good stupid voters because I don't really care..." fare; politicians comfortable choosing who to kill still stand polished, sowing voters' oats in slickly tailored workmen's coats hastily thrown over multi-thousand dollar suits, as if we're all too dumb to see the shabby sleight of hand when suddenly the work coat disappears and their cutes are brought out on demand. I wish I could look at all the pretty shades of human skin and smile, without needing first, to turn down the volume in my head recorded in my childhood by voices thought long dead which live on in programmed memory, to put away the sins of burning crosses flaming rage, hasty ropes and trees blasphemed with obscene decorations of played out human hatred, the rank despair of bombed out buildings where human hope wished only to gather in peace to play, to sing and pray to whatever they needed to call god in their normal human way, the stumbling search for understanding, without demanding anything except the freedom to choose life without carrying the burden of someone else's lie. I wish I could see promise in a world again with the clarity of a newborn's eye. ©2004 by icebox |
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| © Copyright 2004 icebox - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
icebox May you burn the bad and keep the good!  |
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Susan Member Ascendant
since 2004-03-27
Posts 5104walking the surreal |
This is a very powerful write. I truly believe that change begins one heart at a time, within ourselves. And from our gift of love to others, the love will grow. Yes, there is hope. Don't forget the good hearted people who don't seem to warrant the media's spotlight. I am reading works currently by the Dalia Lama. If you want to know what the face of goodness looks like, pick up one of his books. It's inspiring. Heart hugs to you -- Susan The whole of the Universe resides within each individual heart. |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
"I wish I could see promise in a world again with the clarity of a newborn's eye." Oooh I'm with you poet sir. So much going on in the world today. Very thought provoking write. Well done. Hugs~ Something tugs at me, I've no doubt of that. |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
"I wish I could see promise in a world again with the clarity of a newborn's eye." If only..... Icebox, every line in this poem was .... unbelievably potent ... I read it outloud .... WOW, do those words punch when you hear them! Terrific social poem, and without question, too true. I'm asking for new eyes, new ears, new mouth, new heart, new feel....maybe I'll get it! ....jo |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I don't think I have ever stopped more reading a poem. It was not because it didn't "work," but because it did! I had to pause with the occasional, "me too," or a "here, here." I had to stop to re-wind my pre-programmed mind in parts that were in sync with your images (the ones that make me most angry,) then I had to read it again, and finally as Jo said, out loud, to give it the punch it deserved. Well done, poet sir. "Start where you want to finish!" Feel free to quote me, I may become famous. |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
keeper |
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Kevo Member
since 2004-06-02
Posts 466Navarro County, Texas, USA |
Such a powerful poem with a message of utmost importance. A message that I stand in agreement with. I live in a place where they just took the "stars & bars" out of the courthouse two years ago. A place where, during the Rodney King riots, the Black Panthers and the KKK met in protest at the courthouse steps. A place, where in 1861 they lowered the national colors and raised the stars and bars and recruited for the milita. With that said, however, my stepson is half-black and I thought I would run into problems here but to the contrary everyone has been incredibly accepting of him. I expected to see burning crosses in the front yard, instead I'm visiting with the parents of his white girlfriend. I nearly judged a book by its cover but realized that I live in an incredibly diverse and accepting environment, contrary to the history of the courthouse. This does not mean that your poem doesn't touch me. It does, in a most profound way. It is very close to me. Your words warm my spirit in a way that lifts my entire being above the clouds. Sorry for the long post. I loved the write. Kevin |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
... very to the point, my friend, a point in which I quite agree. Me though, I'm ALWAYS going to see the clarity in that new-born's eye, even if I have to beat myself up to do so - Hope is the promise in that clarity, and I'll never give up Hope (or I don't think so, anyway). |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
nice  |
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Kaoru
since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892where the wild flowers grow |
..it's amazing how much we can't see with our eyes. |
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