There is no poetry.
Odysseus does not swim in the quiet cove
near the Siren's home,
Lancelot does not climb the tower
to Guinevere's room
the scattered fires that remain
are tinged with an acrid odor:
the language may be studied for nuance
but the poetry is gone,
the streets are clogged
with passersby
wraiths with no eyes
who long to be alive;
they
smile and nod
with great import
estuaries that lead into swamps
where the cat-tails grow
and the frogs burp.
Rivers of words
flowing to a deep gorge
where the smell
is of ammonia and acid dyes.
[ Joe Cool hits paydirt
with his face
his tongue is lacerated
by the edges of the pavement
]
The images drive me to my knees.
It is all tarnished now,
expressed,
the old house,
the furniture covered in sheets
leans with a frown toward the street,
another Macchu Picchu
where the wandering spirits kiss.
It is not real
it is never real,
as it was in Pisa
when I was imprisoned
and I heard the distant trains
carrying the women
whose hands were wrapped in fur
to distant verses in Portugal,
that's what she said
I only write it down,
occasionally
tapping my pen on the bars.
I was forced to hobble home
my notebook and pens
a light burden,
though I was no longer Odysseus,
and was left with just a pose
a harsh prose.
dying,
I dreamt of you naked
under your Spring dress,
'spread the towel,'
I said,
'I will fuck you in your blood.'
It is in that song singing
I hear the distant roar
the red light blinking in the distance,
I went disguised as a man
so that I could pass through walls,
climb trees--
I wade through the rising water,
between the scattered fires to huddle
with my fellow refugees
in the semi-dark
the ruins are lovely
in the glow of the moon
where the rich have burrowed
underground.
At the river's bend
I ask my love to take my hand
strangely enough
I cannot lay aside my pen,
One more poem, she says,
before the end.
Author notes
Written April 28th, 2006
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 24 of 24
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yes, when the end comes will we want to fuck or write one more poem and in which order. I think the poem.
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Nice job!!!
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Saw this featured this morning. I count this as one of my all time favorite Lute Poems.
It is raw and beautiful in parts all at the same time.
I'm reading Ulysses again. Its all your fault. Anyway.
I'm happy you write.
Lisa
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this is a good poem with some nice imagery.my favourite piece was
"joe cool hitspaydirt
with his face
his tongue is lacerated
by the edges of the pavement"
quite a unique style you have here,
well done,
floorboards. -
Good words here spoken
A lovely flowing piece, a little longer than I usually like as I have ADD but good imagery and form here
I really like poetry that grabs me right off and this did not...but perhaps with polish it can be a great piece
Becky -
Brilliant and an excellent piece of art. I love it. You have painted such a vivid picture for all to see. Flow and content are excellent
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starts out with a bang
grabbed me right off
oh no poetry!!
then takes one like a meandering river
through time and space
dreamtime
all time
no time
everytime
so interesting
arresting
well done -
I read and commented on this way back in May. it was worthy of another read though
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This does take one on a journey with through many times and places - interesting way to travel these days.
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Kind of confusing in the beginning but then my mind clicked in and it was an easier read. Good work.
Soulful Woman -
This really is a challenging read. Maybe after a few more runs i will be able to truly appreciate all that is written here, maybe. Overall a very good piece.
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my last clap money for the day. well spent. though. this a gooder as desi would say.
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Quite a lengthy work - an extended journey - both adventurous and challenging. It is an interesting piece - quite a unique one at that.
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I realy enjoyed reading it some parts I had to read twice but it is a great work of writing
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It was a challange of a poem but I thoroughly enjoyed it. very interesting
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excellent piece! i've been moving round AP for some time now commenting on poems, but i think i just found the best one so far. the flow of this piece really drags the reader in . . . makes for good reading!! well done and keep it up! -CJM
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This one twists and turns like a snake... a live snake as Lisa says.
It will take several readings but I'm ready. Your poems are a challenge but the prize is most rewarding.
Now I'll read it again.
Salud!
D -
awesome
This is an excellent piece. The flow is very nice, and made it fun to read. I especially like the part:
the language may be studied for nuance
but the poetry is gone,
the streets are clogged
with passersby
wraiths with no eyes
who long to be alive;
they
smile and nod
with great import
estuaries that lead into swamps
where the cat-tails grow
and the frogs burp.
Rivers of words
flowing to a deep gorge
where the smell
is of ammonia and acid dyes.
All in all this is a very well written poem. Thanks for sharing. Keep writing. I can't wait to read more. Charlene
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mystical, cynical and rye. Wonderful piece of magic x
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NICE WORK OF ART!!
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As previously reported, this one is Alive. Has its own nerve system and pulsing blood. Fantastic - full of old and New.
Full of Everywhen.
Since knowing, the thought of Mr. Pound in a steel cage has haunted me. I'm always reading the Cantos know, it seems. (or they are reading me perhaps). But haven't been able to read the Pisan Cantos -- I think I'm a bit afraid. They do to a person what Ulysses does but maybe even intensified.
It is real. Something is. I feel it. The image driving to the knees is so good. Christ, you are good. But I think I'm repeating myself some.
Lisa
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I would rather read something entertaining
I REALLY don't like the first part "there is no poetry" (because it's so not true) I find it disrespectful to poetry...and then the poem didn't really seem to go anywhere..so I got bored of reading it after the second paragraph. It was too long and drawn out....
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