The RetroLounge Daily Poem Thread (Thu 10/26/06)

[RetroLounge]

Desire Lines

When the interstate highway system was designed,
engineers divided the country into a grid, and on the basis
of public hearings and studies, drew "desire lines" joining
the places where people wanted to go.

There is a line which the wind can erase between
one set of lights on the desert
and another.

There is a line in the air between San Francisco and the pink sky
over the Gulf of Mexico where Tampa Bay
flows into rivers.

There is a line through Pennsylvania which heaves and buckles
as though it cannot bear to be touched.

There is a Friday night line of flame stretching
from Cleveland to anywhere.

There is a line through Nevada so lonely
no one has found it.

There is a line between the city and the mountains-
any city, any mountains- and, as it climbs,
the long valleys become flutes.

There is a line drawn over ruts, and the tough grasses
that overgrew things cast off in desperation: the child's
music box, the tablecloths, the bones.

There is a line made of paper. If words touch it,
the line will spark from the end, and burn.
End and burn.

Lola Haskins

*******************

RL

If you have a request for a certain Poet, post their name in the thread and I will find a poem by them and post it...

if you want to see some of my poetry, see the blog at:
http://www.myspace.com/retropaul

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. For some reason your sigline (Please visit my 32,000 books...)

makes me giggle every time I see it.

That poem is beautiful. It gave me images of childhood road trips.

[RetroLounge]

23. Giggling is a good thing!

:hi:

RL

[Serial Mom]

2. Nice

This one makes me feel we are all connected somehow.

You are showing me how to enjoy poems more each day...


:hi:

[miss_american_pie]

3. ...

There is a line made of paper. If words touch it,
the line will spark from the end, and burn.
End and burn.

[RetroLounge]

4. ...

There is a line through Pennsylvania which heaves and buckles
as though it cannot bear to be touched.


RL

[miss_american_pie]

5. It must be near Philly

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

6. of course.

something about being near Jersey...

RL

[miss_american_pie]

7. Jersey...

Good thing I never showed you those pictures. :D :hi:

[RetroLounge]

8. Big Jersey Hair Pictures?

:rofl:

RL

[miss_american_pie]

9. I'm not that old

:D

[RetroLounge]

10. The 80's were good to you?

:9

RL

[miss_american_pie]

11. Not sure

I don't remember all that much before puberty. :P

[RetroLounge]

12. Ooooh. Pre-Pubescent big 80's Jersey Hair...

Very Amy Fisher of you...

:rofl:

The Pittsburgh Lolita?

:9:9:9:9:9

RL

[miss_american_pie]

13. I never shot anyone

:evilgrin:

[RetroLounge]

14. That's not what they said about you and Reno

The m_a_p in Black?

:D

RL

[miss_american_pie]

15. Black isn't my color

I look so much better in red. Or out of red...

[RetroLounge]

17. Okay, how about red/orange?

Hello, I'm Johnny MAP



You are a burning Ring of Fire, but I'd Walk The Line for you anytime...

RL

[miss_american_pie]

19. But I can't sing

'cept in the shower. :shrug:

[RetroLounge]

20. And where else would we be spending our time?

:shrug:

RL

[miss_american_pie]

21. Bookstores

where else? :shrug:

[RetroLounge]

22. I'll give you a hint...

RL

[wildhorses]

16. there is a line of desire

so strong
that to touch it
would set it on fire

and in that glow
burning from
end to end

that is the heat
that is my desire

[RetroLounge]

18. ...

:hi:

RL