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Open Poetry #36
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9th Ward ellipsis is...
| Open Poetry #36 |
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9th Ward ellipsis is... |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738
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The dawgs they run in circles now trained to follow trails of scent howling at the death they piss as if to have some purpose it's enough to blow your mind I wish that there was much more to this than a dot dot dot... |
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| © Copyright 2005 serenity blaze - All Rights Reserved | |||
Nightshade 
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
You're being haunted Karen....and it's contagious. So sad. hugging you, Chrislane |
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inkedgoddess Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392Ohio |
sorry you need to write this hugs M |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Karen, if I could change this messed up world . . . Because none of you deserve that - but I like that you can relay those feelings, thats a good thing. And it upsets me that all I can do is attempt to sympathize because I cannot even begin to imagine . . . But that feeling? Member when you said about my Folsom write? I do understand THAT. and I understand YOU. My Lady . . . You bring me to my knees . . . |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Ser, I know all of this must be painful. But, you lived through it all, and the gift of life is far more precious than most all else.... Time will heal the wounds....don't let it get you down!! |
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Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
yes, haunting words indeed K, and very deep underlying pain... huggin you for this'n |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
...  |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
It all needs to be documented, Karen....and I am glad you're doing it in your way! The situation is not getting enough attention and this is something that really has me hot, but probably not near as angry as the people there. Love you, jojo |
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Kaoru
since 2003-06-07
Posts 3892where the wild flowers grow |
I do hope you know that nothing will take away that gigantic heart you have. |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
You my luscious lady, totally blow MY mind.  m xx how i would love you, love you as no one ever did! Die and still, love you more. And still love you more..and more |
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kayjay Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015Oregon |
I'm sure so much devastation survives While the memory of America and the media do not... Keep us posted, however you choose. Ken Through rubble and trouble and dark of night |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
wish i had the words sis. just some hugs and an ear to lend anytime ya need |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Those howling pissing dawgs are sending us a message and I wonder if anyone besides you (and a handful of other conscious souls) is really really listening... I say, let'em piss freely, they are simply 'relieved' to be alive in spite of the lame response from dawg's so-called best friend. What can I do to help you get through this stage of grief? |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I know that you already know that life at times can really suck. However after reading this poem I actually "felt" how absolutely horrific the aftermath of this disaster really is and how important it is to purge the feelings contained within the soul we care about and have grown to love, called "Soliwitch."  |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Thanks good poets, and allow me to explain the dogs that howl. They are cadaver dogs. The police said they are trained to follow a trail of scent, but the with the smell of death so predominant in the 9th ward area, they are merely confused and frustrated, and thus they run in circles. We were warned that the body count will most likely go up as they shift through the red-tagged rubble houses. That actually did blow my mind, and I have seen trucks in trees here, so it's not like I'm ill-informed or anything. And more than anything, I'm saddened that all the nation truly sees are politicians arguing, screaming for money and blaming each other. (the um, "pissing for purpose" thing was just my jaded jab at the media) Hugs to all with thanks for caring... ta for now. And stay well. There seems to be a lot of bad weather everywhere...  |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
We are with you here... Write it out as much as you need to. We are reading,listening and tryng to understand... martyjo |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Nice writing...I was reading about the stress that is created when one loses a loved one, or their home, or their job...can only imagine the stress and pain that the hurricanes have brought...James |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
I can't understand why more isn't being done in a quicker manner for all of you...  M |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
"The dawgs they run in circles now trained to follow trails of scent howling at the death they piss" The depth of those words are something I wish no one understood.. and M? to answer your question, as I told Karen before, I think they want us to forget because it's too much for them and they can't be bothered..they don't want to do anything...if they could I think they would cut NOLA off like a diseased limb. It sickens me, it shames me, and it angers me. I love you in total Karen. "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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gemjop Member Elite
since 2002-11-18
Posts 2587Pencilveinia, USA |
I find it amazing, that you write these the way you write them, considering what you must feel. hugs. amazing woman. |
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kayjay Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015Oregon |
Hi Karen! You might be interested in a couple pieces on Nat'l Pub Radio this am. I don't know if the NO station is on the air yet or if you listen, but these were interesting this am about 4:30 when I awoke to hear them. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5054608 On this link, there is another link to an article by Bruce Babbitt, who takes a few swings at the handling of Katrina disaster, from bottom to top. Best, Ken (Your "What's the frequency, Kenneth?" had me going for a second or two.) Through rubble and trouble and dark of night |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Jab some more, honey... it's a serenity-given therapy... [I was going to say "God-given" but for some reason, it didn't seem right...] ellipses and all... |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
I am trying to imagine the horror of such mass tragedy and suffering and I know that I don't begin to. Howeve, I know what your heart looks like as it is painted into your poem. You are truly a wonderful person. Are you a nurse? Or a voluntary worker? Or visiting a friend or relative in Ward 9? Whichever, or if another, I am humbled and stunned by your courage. - Owl |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
 'cause it should be. "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
ohhh my |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I'm back yet again, to explain for my new Owl friend. I was spared the horror of what occurred in New Orleans during the storm--because I evacuated. I evacuated because I could. Unfortunately, the timing of this storm stranded many of our city's impoverished and elderly, as most live on government support. Social Security checks, welfare assistance checks are scheduled to arrive the first week of every month. The result being images like this:  I'll spare you all the worst--the bodies? I prefer not to post that in a family forum. We were a very poor city before the storm, and now we are a bit more destitute--and there are days when the enormity of the task of rebuilding the city leaves us feeling hopeless. Then the next day we can feel absolutely ecstatic that we survived at all. After hearing the news that our local utility company had filed for bankruptcy, and hearing from my friends here at Pip that not much about the city's plight is mentioned on national news--I called my kids to watch the news to see if the fact that the New Orleans branch of Entergy filed bankruptcy. You see, if the city doesn't get some kind of financial support from the Federal Government in this area too, it will be an extremely difficult, if not impossible task to lure our displaced residents, as well as the necessary businesses back to the city. If the enormous cost of repairs is to be padded onto our utility bills, it would go something like this: A bill that would normally be $100? Expect to pay $250. Here, in the steamy summers of New Orleans, when people who do not have air conditioning can die (the city actually gives box fans to the impoverished elderly when it is really hot) a July/August utility bill for a home of say, 1200 sq. foot can cost up to $400. That would mean, in the new billing system, $750. I tried to imagine what company would even consider trying to run an entire business with the added cost of that sort of overhead. I couldn't think of any, because frankly? I wouldn't either. So I explained this all to my kids and we sat down to watch the national news, to see if it is true that things that are so vital to our very survival are going unmentioned nationwide. New Orleans did get an abbreviated mention on the CBS evening news, but to my dismay, it was an edited version of our Governor, apparently on trial before congress, stammering. I happen to know she made some very good points which were not included, but that was apparently not the choice of the media to be highlighted. So yes, I got angry, because I wondered yet again, how much of my information is carefully edited and displayed to sway my opinion and keep me deliberately misinformed regarding not just the plight of New Orleans, but news from all around the world. Thus I wrote "What's the frequency, Kenneth?" as a kind of sardonic tribute to former news anchor Dan Rather. (His personal story is rich and very worthy of investigating.) Then I talked with my kids about what was happening. My daughter said we should do more to let people know how bad things really are here. I asked her, "What do you think would get everybody's attention the most?" She thought about this, and said, "Well Mom, you are a writer." (She has more confidence in me than I do.) But my son, piped in, as he tuned and strummed his guitar, saying "Tell the West Coast this--that teutonics plates are shifting on the floor of the Pacific Ocean and at least fifty samll tsunamis were recorded but not reported just last year." (I asked how he knew this. Apparently one of his friends quit school last year and took off to surf, and "follow the waves." Go figger.) Then he added: "Then you can tell the East Coast the El Nino could possibly re-awaken, and interact with El Nina, which could send turn those bowling ball storms being flung out of Hurricane Alley into gutterballs that could decimate the East Coast next time." He paused and added that he hoped one would head straight for D.C. (He's a little bit angry these days.) I almost agreed, but hey, I have friends in Maryland, so I'm not adding my wish to his.  Then he said to tell everybody who feels safe up North, especially in Canada, that global warming means that snow melts, and that um, melted snow is water. I asked him where he got all this stuff, and he shrugged and said "I'm a genius." (sigh..he has the same birthdate as Christopher, folks, so what am I gonna do?) Then before he left, he noted, that none of this weather activity can be good for Tornado Alley either. So there you have it. A slice of serenity's life, here in the aftermath of Katrina. But my son is right. I don't think any place is perfectly safe. The disaster that finally affects you might not come looking like this--  but there is always something folks. And now, I would like to add that the outpouring of love, sympathy and money for the residents of the gulf coast region is already unprecedented. So please don't mistake this as ingratitude. But there has never been anything of this magnitude in our nation's history. It is going to take an equally unprecedented effort to help this city survive. So forgive my soapbox today, but my daughter reminded me that I had one. So I hadta do it yanno. thanks for listening and Owl? There are stories in every pile of rubble here. I might not write all of them, but I will more than likely write the ones that won't stay quiet in my head. So thank you, especially. And Susan? *wink* I love you muchly. *smooch* |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Karen, You have never been on a soapbox (you educate, a storyteller) and hug your children for me because they know their Momma well. Use your gifts, like you do with us. Make the people hear. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Susie... that picture of Katrina? It is indeed the artwork of mother nature. And my favorite part of it is that tiny yellow dot, in the funnel portion, not quite bottom to the right. That's the sun. I think of it as "hope". So I stare it alot, and picture that dot growing... and yes, Charly, I'm cautious as to not make it too big. grins *note to witches* don't fuss with the weather  *battin' lashes at both of you* |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
If I ever saw that (first of all when I saw you write of the dot before reading I scrolled up to look first and figured, OH, thats some sort of LIGHT) but if I ever saw that I don't know if I would have my eyes torn completely open in shocked terror or wide open in complete and utter amazement. Or closed, heavily drugged and sleeping. Probably a mixture of all three, huh? |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
quote: My stab-in-the-dark guess? maybe 90%. I love the input your children offered! they are bonafide truth-tellers.  |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Serenity Blaze, I like being described as your new-found friend Owl! Thank you so much for the trouble you went to, to explain. I really appreciate it. How absolutely horrifying! My heart goes out to all concerned. I saw the title about "What's the Frequency, Kenneth" and didn't realise until now that I didn't get to reading it. I will certainly read it. I had to read through your explanation quite quickly online so I have copied it to read it offline so that I can take it all in better. Your children are very right to be so proud of you. They are very lucky to have you for a mom - and you, them, too! We heard very little about New Orleans on the news too. Thank you, my new-found friend, Serenity Blaze. - Owl |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Oh, my friend... I wish, too. And gratitude and anger aren't mutually exclusive.... we're used to multi-tasking. *tongue firmly in cheek* *G* |
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Dark Stranger Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631West Coast |
back in the nam time...we just used spirit dogs..some of the tribe skins could feel the seams with the sky and were more accurate than anything else..(I think ya know my drift) funny about magic coins..they are always found when the magic is needed..not until... even the dogs know that..and yet we don't be well lady friend..look above the sad colors..the sky is lovely in the morning |
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Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850In the space between moments |
Wow, absolutely powerful and haunting--so incredibly sad as well. ~*Krista Lee Knutson*~ |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
thank you all... hugs through the screen |
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