Do you know my name?
Do you know the sound it makes
rolled over the tongue in whispered words
filled richly with affection?
I have forgotten.
I have spoken its like to others before,
but they, in unlettered form,
could do nothing but rasp
and hiss with an inhuman tongue.
Once I heard it spoken, mixed
with joyous exultation and smiles
like the sun; but I heard wrong. That
was not my name. My name was
a limp echo hanging in the air
after the name that was not mine;
in it hung the memory of the joyous cry
that I nearly had.
I think she knows my name;
if she does, she does not speak it.
It is old, anyway—the old
gives way to the new, and the adherents
of a new generation take up the flag.
But she is old, older than my name—
she must be a progressive,
repenting her mistakes.
My name has been replaced; the other
squanders enough life
for the both of us. She cannot sustain
both me and the other—no matter;
neglect erased my identity, anyway.
I am another nameless child, living
in the slums of you nonvision. I will exist,
pilfering the trash from those christened
with words filled richly
with affection.
I have a name—
but I struggle to remember.
Author notes
I know, nonvision is not a word; but Shakespeare made up words, and I figure he must have started in the same place I am at.
Option 1, it would have to be. Just some thoughts plaguing my mind of late.
A contest entry
- Wherever you are stop and write! by alexandrathegreat.
1800 points, ended October 24, 2007, 31 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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This was abstract and elongated on a simple plot that could have been butchered in someone else's hands but did well in yours. Watch out for where your line breaks are they seemed a little awkward in some places. All and all I enjoyed this found it refreshing. Thank you for entering.
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Great poem, beautifully written and the last two lines make a for a powerfull ending, really enjoyed this poem
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beautifully written each line to the next with such a great flow and smooth rythem to it...........
with so many beautiful and painful throughts throughout...
wonderful!
XxLisaJazminexX
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this is heartbreaking!!! But in such a profoundly beautiful way!!! It makes my heart ache...and my soul scream out...magnificent way with words Hun!!!
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beautiful use of diction.. it sounds a bit like the style i used to write in, it is very descriptive and flowy, but not too wordy, it tdescribes enough without being superfluous.
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Wow
I dont know what more to say. For not saying much, this poem says everything. i think that everyone has been there, in the total disaray of emotion and confusion.Beutiful simply beautiful.
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The fifth line is the most powerful one in the whole poem, even if it's so simplistic and one of the shortest. It's a touching piece.
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Strangely enough, that line nearly did not make it in. It was not until the third editing round did it wriggle between its neighbors.
Thanks for the applause. =)
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