Open Poetry #34 |
The Oaths of the Fissure Men |
RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
. . . . . I see them. pale busts behind curtained banquet tables, unseen legs spread from years of swagger, a brown bomber jacket or two creased at the elbows, forearm worn where scoured in motion from rest to handshake, from at-ease to autograph, cuff perhaps ink- stained (and too the envelope-pants pocket from stuffing down compensations and is that done slyly?) on the shoulder stiff flags, (always the flags like a name tag at a reunion lest we forget) lined up beaming as though they were Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Willie Stargill and waiting, the patrons (who I’ve far more trouble picturing) grand -fatherly peeks over bifocals asking, “Who do I make this out to honey?” “How does he want me to spell Shinjimae?”* “Yes, thank you, but I was only doing my duty” and when Orientals are in line (don’t doubt that they often are) is there the same frozen imbecility on all occidental faces that we see when caught, a minority among Blacks, pretending we don’t breath the differences in every exhale and don’t know how not to see color? A level of hell roars with the laughter of their contre-parties de guerre, the kamikazes, who 50 years now witness the audacity and know too well what awaits these ‘heroes,’ the open car parade rides, the cherished pew, the fire halls, VFWs, always something one would think to keep a shark moving lest they perish, lest a calm pool cause reflection and never, never, never, never mention of the cab driver, teacher, hop -scotcher, dreamer, laundress, sculptor, adulterer, favorite -aunt, seamstress, stevedore, drunk, nursing baby, bell ringer, vegetarian, bonsai master, idler invalid, bicyclist, broken hearted, or any of the 200,000 humans beings who died here . . . . . Oh well you get the idea. My shape's width exceeded the parameters of the page. . . photo from author's autograph collection . . . Japanese for *Go to hell |
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© Copyright 2004 Richard S. Wells jr. - All Rights Reserved | |||
Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
WOW Richard....incredible. Well done sir, and thank you for sharing this. |
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stevebrklynnyc Member
since 2004-01-04
Posts 292GA, Camden |
Unfortunatley history has a way of repeating itself. I hope for our childrens sake, we as one never expoloit that kind of power ever again. Where I work is a constant reminder of what you speak of. Excellent write sir. |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
is there the same frozen imbecility on all occidental faces that we see when caught, a minority among Blacks, pretending we don’t breath the differences in every exhale and don’t know how not to see color? good job,Richard... M |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Talk about bringing things into perspective... Well done, Sir. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I bet a lot of people read this, causing some to be lost for words. I know I don't even know what to say to this piece except that sometimes stark reality actually stings me speechless. |
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*Alli4000*
since 2004-03-21
Posts 3188The World of Poetry |
Wow...just, wow. (loss of words) ~Alli~ *:.AIM = Alli4000.:* |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Oh...my....goodness. Remarkable write. Chris |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
powerfully moving |
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