The BlueIris Semi-Nightly Poetry Break, 11/17/07 (warning: extremely graphic language)

[BlueIris]

"The Issues"

(Rhodesia, 1978)

Just don't tell me about the issues.
I can see the pale spider-belly head of the
newborn who lies on the lawn, the web of 
veins at the surface of her scalp, her skin
grey and gleaming, the clean line of the
bayonet down the center of her chest.
I see her mother's face, beaten and 
beaten into the shape of a plant,
a cactus with grey spines and broad
dark maroon blooms.
I see her arm stretched out across her baby,
wrist resting, heavily, still, across the
tiny ribs.
	             Don't speak to me about
politics.  I've got eyes, man.

—Sharon Olds

[DarkTirade]

1. ... damn.

[BlueIris]

2. Yeah. It's one that'll stay with you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear BlueIris...

This is right down there with what really matters, isn't it?

Thank you...

:cry:

[BlueIris]

4. Yes, yes it is.

[RetroLounge]

5. Ow... That is intense...

:cry:

RL

[BlueIris]

6. Yeah.

The last line haunts me.

[Perseid]

7. Somewhere

in the silence that awaits us all
might be a memory
no misery
taking us forward
toward tomorrow
and taking us back
again
tomorrow and yesterday are words that
take me back to remembering
I looked through my heart toward you
today


anyway,

kick

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. Wow, my dear Perseid...

That is very powerful...

Did you write this?

I just love it!

I wish I'd written it...Wow...

[Perseid]

9. I always write the crummy stuff I put on these Blue Iris threads

It just comes out of me. Thank you very much for your kind words!

and, therefore, here comes another

kick!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. I have news for you, my dear Perseid!

Your poem is NOT crummy....not one little bit!

I'm going to start keeping track of your stuff....

You're damn good, kiddo!

[Perseid]

11. whisper you're disappointed

in me
when my eyes are resting
I won't mind
Take away my dreams of
waking
I won't mind
because
you are known to me and others
to be kind
Let my eyes rest for another
time tonight
I won't mind
since you're obviously kind
you could whisper
that you're disappointed
in me
I won't mind

kick

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. Wow....just...wow...

Fucking heartbreaking...

You need to start your own poetry threads right here in the Lounge...

[Perseid]

13. thanks again for your kind words, but

I only write what flows out of me when I see Blue Iris's threads. I think the threads are great, and hope they never end. I just write my own stuff and give a little

kick!

now and again. I enjoy reading these threads, and sometimes they inspire me.

[Perseid]

14. My heart is quiet these days

I try to hear it beating
but hear silence
my eyes are silent to others
these days
no one will see them crying
no words come to mind
to describe
why my heart
is so quiet
these days
I try so hard
to hear it beating
I try so hard to see my eyes
while looking solemnly
within myself
in a mirror that my grandmother
found in her bedroom
that grandpa made for
her eyes
from his heart
now there is silence
all falls apart
but
no words come to mind
to describe
why my heart is quiet
now while I think of you
and my eyes are silent
while
seeking you

[Tuesday Afternoon]

15. powerful

imagery

[BlueIris]

16. People ask me why I love Sharon Olds.

This is why.

[Perseid]

17. Crud. Blue Iris Has found me out!

run!

Sharon Olds is great, btw.

[Perseid]

18. When I awoke I wasn't

aware of the changes
that had taken place
while I was looking around

when I awoke I wasn't
looking for you especially because
you said you could do without

and I

walked into the bathroom
to brush my teeth
I walked away
yesterday
when I awoke I wasn't
anything special

so I took my toothpaste, and my bag of dirty clothes
and thought of you, you are dirty, heaven knows

then I took myself into myself
again

and I

held you close within my arms
and I held you close
again

but you

held out from me and
said

I wasn't
anything special

so the next morning
I took my toothpaste from you
the next morning
I took my toothbrush too
the next morning
I walked out on you

but I was aware
of the
space between
you and
us

kick

[SeattleGirl]

19. Whoa.

That poem is beautiful in it's painfulness.

[Perseid]

20. thank you! I think? nt

edit: you were writing to the original post. sorry.

[Perseid]

21. think of you, tomorrow

yes I will
yes I will

drink in your
heavenly beauty tonight
that we shared

hope for a tomorrow that
tells us about what
we really cared
about

yes I will
yes I will

be with you throughout time
take me tomorrow
if you want me
I'll me there
yes I will

I will
think of you tomorrow
and
hope for a tomorrow that
tells us to shout about it
I really cared
Yes I did
Yes I did
I really cared

yes I will
be with you
throughout time
take me tomorrow
take me now
yes I will
yes I did
anyhow
I really cared about you

I will
think about you tomorrow

I will
think about you, tomorrow