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pearl
| Open Poetry #37 |
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pearl |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738
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 * * * "Here." I'm givin' you my heart, and no, don't be afraid, it is really not so much these days - kinda like a 'Joplin' brick I saw for sale on e bay once as if she didn't give enough. But Port Arthur stalked her fame - they took that famous Ball and Chain to all that they could ever claim as theirs except her pain, of course. * * *  (She'd cackle when she called it "home".) * * * I almost placed a bid on it thinking there's a cornerstone for a temple to be built in honor of the things I'd known existed--never visited (scratching Venice off the list) and trysts between my fingered fist housing guilt I would not miss: "Here's the steeple. Here's the church." A unity of self - reversed - waggles of the finger people accusing me of being me * * *  (and don't forget to bring your purse.) * * * I guess I never did belong just like Janis never did. I did not see the high school prom - that one wasn't on my list. There was no one I'd let take me - at times I wish someone had asked and just in case I learned to dance and tap is now my specialty. (I hate formalities.) But Janis would have danced real slow some lucky guy, he might have known that underneath the acne cream was a swan who tuned the scream of spending half her life alone and wishing what was left, away... 'cause now I know the pain of 'gone' and 'real' was here, just yesterday. The Arts--invisibility-- gods and principalities etch their names in grain of trees frozen in this winter's stream just as the molds made by my knees would warm my blood to dappling confessions absolutions, met and holy water is just wet and I can't say I don't feel fooled praying in the midst of "yes" (the mother of all godlessness) with nothin' left to lose... * * *  * * * * * (photos courtesy of the official Janis Joplin fan club site) |
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RedStoneEB Senior Member
since 2003-06-08
Posts 772uk |
Nice pictures with the poetry and great poetry |
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Fee Member
since 2000-08-07
Posts 381Melbourne, Australia |
A nice reminder in your words. Hugs, Fee Expressions, |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
'cause now I know the pain of 'gone' and 'real' was here, just yesterday. I am with you~~~  M |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
confessions absolutions, met and holy water is just wet and I can't say I don't feel fooled praying in the midst of "yes" (the mother of all godlessness) with nothin' left to lose... she surely had much to say... Karen, you always have admiration and great respect, not only for the great visuals you bless us with, but for your heart with is true to self, and true to all who know and love you. |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
"holy water is just wet" *smile* do you know how much I love that line?? as always...blown away. and? everytime I really think I have nothing left to lose? Someone opens my eyes. (and you know that).  lady."too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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Dark Stranger Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631West Coast |
ms serene.. janis would grin saw her live when she was a live before I knew I was her and jimi too but that was a hell ago now enjoyed the view here |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Janis is smiling... and I knew this was within you, screeching to get out. . |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
was a swan who tuned the scream of spending half her life alone and wishing what was left, away... 'cause now I know the pain of 'gone' and 'real' was here, just yesterday. The Arts--invisibility-- gods and principalities etch their names in grain of trees frozen in this winter's stream just as the molds made by my knees would warm my blood to dappling confessions absolutions, met *and holy water is just wet* and I can't say I don't feel fooled praying in the midst of "yes" (the mother of all godlessness) with nothin' left to lose... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ oh my my my..... its been said before... and WILL be said again...but THIS one will define... Lawdy me girlie you ROCK THE RHYME!!!! Im gidddy with gleeeee  this is sooooo cool...I love your play of words using some of her words...and the rhyme speak made this such a gem to read aloud... and oh this line.... was a swan who tuned the scream thats poetic gold... awesome write Lady K   |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Were you a fan of Janis?!? ~ Duh! LOL This is a fabulous ~and informative~ post! Not only am I grinning ~ but I bet she is as well! Rock on, sister! Linda |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Karen..you ROCK! And Janis is grinnin' from ear to ear! Fantastic write lady. Love ya, Nancy |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Civilization met her at half treble she still screamed the paint off the walls then turned to let you cry in her lap her best friends Southern style and a bit o' smack you can't blame her been there myself and sometimes "things" bring more comfort than people Texas was a magicians trick slight of hand, and it makes me sick she should have been born on Venice Beach with the freaks is where she belonged not in that town where they looked down on life cuz' thats what she was and what she lived and if you think for one day she took anything for granted well then, I guess ya need to read about her simple creed or listen to her speak in rings of pain watch the wag of her leg as she poured her soul to those who killed her in the end. The first time I went to the Hard Rock in Canada I cried cuz' on the wall she smiled and stood bared for all in pride and her beads draped her breasts she smiled her best to me, she looked angelic and I wanted to be her and jump into the photo and hug her tight and tell her she had the might to overcome that bleed She is just like you and me and someone walked by and said "God, she is ugly" and I sneered and fought for her that night and fought for her inside If you listen to "Summertime" turned up high you will hear an angel sing she would want you to sing along too your soul on fire, with her own I know she wouldn't mind if you were out of tune She wouldnt want it any other way but she got her wish and that was to be held high They took her, the angels she needed to go but Damn Janis, I love YOU ~ more than your alter ego. ~~~~ Janis is my hero. And so are you. I love you for writing this. You share the same soul. (Going off to listen to my angel now.) Susie  ~~~ Dark? You saw both of my heroes . . . damn. |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
Thank you so much for writing this. "and 'real' was here, just yesterday." Like many performers she had a strong shell, an alter ego that would take over, but I met her twice in Nobody's Cafe in NYC and there was a very real person inside there, warm, honest, lonely and a little frightened. Sometimes I think there are calluses my "death" receptors but her death brought me deep despair. I can still feel the loss of the person I met. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I wanted to say thank you to you all before I get all distracted by sleep.  I started out writing about something entirely different, but I just kept hearing her in my head. "I felt 'apart' from them." She said that in an interview once, as she spoke of her former classmates, and I identified so strongly with that. I never knew her, but I envy those who did. I wish she could have felt all the love people had and continue to have for her, but such strong imprinting on such a fragile heart makes me tend to think she'd never believe it anyway.  sighing Oh Janis.... and thanks all, for helping me in my attempt to honor her life. |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Icey? You met her, graced by an angel . . . and Karen, you honor yourself by writing of her. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Almost every week... and sometimes more than once a week... I've passed a billboard on I-10 advertising the attractions of the Beaumont-Port Arthur area... Each time, there's been a twinge... it seems somehow unfair that a place should profit from producing someone who always felt a misfit... though perhaps not... for that very lack of fitting in contributed to what she was... and what made her scream of "take another little piece of my heart" so real it slipped straight into our hearts. You've done her proud, serene one... |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Serenity, this is the most amazing tribute to the Rose. I never met her (saw her perform once before she was famous--awesome, dramatic--she put her whole soul into her performance) but feel like I did, and I'm seeing her again here today. Your writing truly captures the feel of who she was to so many of our generation. I can see where you would identify. It takes a Rose to truly know a Rose, and I could say the same of pearls. Love you, Lady-K.......jo |
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
..."and holy water is just wet" Mega-GREAT line! Janice would have worn this pearl very well, ya know. Hugs, TD |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Unreal! Great tribute to one of a kind! I adore her. |
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1slick_lady Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088standing on a shadow's lace |
"...take another little piece of my heart now baby..." |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Serenity, I did not make much of her when she was popular as I was into other things. But you certainly brought her to life and brought a tear to my eye for all those who like her, including myself and my daughters, felt a misfit in younger years. I have grown but OH, I do remember. I also loved Bette Midler from the time I first saw her on a talk show. Johnny Carson or one before him? And didn't she play Janis in The Rose or a like artist? sincerely, martyjo |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
so now that ya left me in tears? Janis was LIFE bigger than 3D and you? the same, lady much the same |
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jody5 Senior Member
since 2005-12-21
Posts 876California, U.S.A. |
Loved Janis and love you for writing this. Your eulogy to her is much appreciated and the artistry of your pen shows that you are truly gifted |
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shades of paul Member
since 2005-12-14
Posts 370In Reality |
Very cool poem (nice pics)Janis Still Rocks Me..paul shades of peace,love,and happiness to you |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
"And when they tell me love is pain I said it might be true for you, honey, But not for Janis no more, no no no no." Ahhh... you speak so well for the lady. Yep! She's smiling all right and this poem did it for me! Take a bow! ps Thanks for the pictures. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
You are much like her, Karen...and that's a great compliment!! |
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playing.with.crayons Member
since 2006-01-02
Posts 362Neverland |
I loved this. really truly. you have such talent always xxx farewell the ash-tray girl |
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Katerie Member
since 2006-01-27
Posts 92Central New York |
That's really good. I know absolutely nothing about Janis Joplin, although my grandma's friend is obsessed with her. I should have her read this. XD Very effective rhyme. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Thank you all, yet again, so very much. I worried over this one a bit, as I wasn't sure if I was up to the challenge of capturing the enormity of her persona. I had to settle for simply conveying how she affected me. I'm still not sure if I succeeded, but I am for once, very proud that those of you who read this and were previously not fans of hers have, at the least, paused to reconsider. thank you for that and for your time and graciousness. |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
You silly goosy . . . you was lookin' in a mirror, kinda |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
she might have said much the same thing, K, that she was not 'up to the challenge' |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Karen?... This is absolutely amazing... as are you... and I agree with the others... you are very much like her... and this?... "I wish she could have felt all the love people had and continue to have for her, but such strong imprinting on such a fragile heart makes me tend to think she'd never believe it anyway." The same could be said of YOU, my sis... Love you, K... very much... "When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace." --Jimi Hendrix |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
And here I am...late to the party. Yanno sumptin Karenity? You KNOW something! About how poetry should be. |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Wowwwweeeeee, Serenity Blaze! Like Katerie, I know nothing of Janis Joplin (thanks Katerie, that I am not the only one), well, not until I read your magnifffFFFFFFffficent poem. I am going to try to make a point of finding out more about her and hearing her music. I loved everybody's responses, but one of my favourites (perhaps my favourite favourite) was wranx's - not only his clever use of words, but the essence of them too - you certainly DO know how poetry should be. - Owl |
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XOx Uriah xOX Senior Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 1403Virginia |
Wow! This is so amazing. So moving. Once again...you hit me in the gut and I struggle to catch my breath. She was a rose and a pearl. As are you. Her close friends have gathered. Lord, ain’t it a shame Grieving together Sharing the blame. But when she was dying Lord, we let her down. There’s no use cryin’ It can’t help her now. The party’s all over Drink up and go home. It’s too late to love her And leave her alone. Just say she was someone Lord, so far from home Whose life was so lonesome She died all alone Who dreamed pretty dreams That never came true Lord, why was she born So black and blue? Oh, why was she born So black and blue? Kris Kristofferson |
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*Alli4000*
since 2004-03-21
Posts 3188The World of Poetry |
Enjoyed this one!  ~Alli~ |
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Kathy Member
since 2006-02-10
Posts 153 |
I'm in the minority here, I know...but, I never liked Janis...she was a whiner, complainer...dope addict...and, in general...a screw up.... History tells the tale....lok it up...poet.. revere her if you like... your poem is good...subject...sucks! Just my opinon, of course. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
ah...well. I was flattered embarrassed when people say I'm much like their perception of her--so perhaps your description is more apt. Sounds like ME. Thanks for taking the time to read a poem on a subject to your distaste. |
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