Open Poetry #36 |
Atlantic City Sunrise |
icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
From the smoky edge of the cold and greasy North Atlantic, dawn shines, its life light thin upon dark glasses worn by all the whores leaning up against the front of Johnny Rocket’s, beneath their feet the angled Pau Lope boards stolen from the forests of Brazil slowly shed the clinging dampness of the night as if stealing any heat that might be left in tired legs and aching backs. Sipping coffee, or some tea, lots of sugar for the itch, each rummaging occasionally for some thread of dignity among the soft debris of cigarettes and candy, coke and condoms each had tossed carelessly into shoulder purses crumpled at their feet; bags that serve as offices, so large they could be luggage hauled by tired women, worn out young and dying old at thirty, trying hard to look alive while sunshine paints their faces and the buildings gold, briefly, before the day is fully under way and they get chased back to their pimps and kids and pushers in the hovels on the streets behind the streets that bear the buses full of seniors with their pockets full of quarters, dreams and meal vouchers, sure in their hearts the promises will all get dusted off or comped or sold back to the house to tempt the next tide of the stragglers who will come drifting in again to feed upon the offerings of every evening’s reveries. ©2005 by icebox [This message has been edited by icebox (11-17-2005 09:30 AM).] |
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© Copyright 2005 icebox - All Rights Reserved | |||
Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
The images are stark and so real here.. you paint a sad but so very true picture of night life in the big city. Well said m'friend. Hugs~Nancy Now - while the leaves still dance on the wind |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
icebox You paint such a true picture and although I've never been there, I've been other places that are like that. Your words also hold compassion that comes from kind eyes. |
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StevenS Senior Member
since 2005-09-21
Posts 945L. A. (Lower Alabama) |
Always enjoy your melodious observations of life Mr. Icebox. |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
whoa!!! Love to visit the shore in winter, and what you've described, well, I've seen such things as well....hugs you, for taking me there, even if just for a moment. Enjoy Long Beach Island, Point Pleasant and Cape May as well. How bout you? |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
"Sipping coffee, or some tea, lots of sugar for the itch, each rummaging occasionally for some thread of dignity" perfection... The image has been drawn with my minds eye from the words you wrote..I see them, I feel the desperation. But you do it every time. and I love it when you do. "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
icebox A delightful read. Always enjoy your left hand touch. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Clever, clever you. The theme could be applied to almost any institution, and it serves y'well. I'm so very to see you, and the world through your wisdom eyes. I liked the bit about the purse, knowing, as I would, the double entendre of the jargon. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Well the entire poem was a scene I could see, but particularly loved this part having seen it so often myself in many cities. quote: Great write! |
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Bodger Senior Member
since 2005-06-12
Posts 1260Tolerance for a short time |
You are a privilege to read Dave |
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Huan Yi Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688Waukegan |
Anytime I read a poem twice, I know it's good . . . |
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