When it's done,
all that's left is what
I've carried.
I'm one of those, looked over
and forgotten browns
yet, when you need me
you find me somewhere,
maybe at Krogers or,
at a State Liquor store hiding
at the end of the check-out line
smooth and flat.
My progenitors have been
dead for hundreds of years,
but, I'm still here,
wasteful, wasted
dead as they are,
dead as you.
I'm sure you don't remember me,
or the many times you've unfolded
my creases, packed me
with fifths of E & J
or cans of 211
then, when I've carried
them to the back alley,
you'd throw me away.
I remember, back in the day,
I could earn favors
of fraternities or sororities
with one of my colorism tests.
But now, you can find me
under the Canal street bridge
tenting a man in the middle of winter,
or empty,
crumbled,
flapping myself
against the neighbor's fence.
Author notes
my newest "fresh" poem.
What did you think
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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the ironic thing is...i work for a branch of krogers....and our bags are now recycable!
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Great!
The railroad tracks are fitting as well...
Dear simp, you always make me feel good after reading your words. I loved the twists and turns this one took and thought of all the things that brown paper bags hide in our lives. Brava! Jane
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This
is
a
great
poem.
What
was
your
inspiration
for
writing
this
poem?
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Good question!
This poem started in one direction then, took a life of its own and went in this direction. I don't remember the original thought behind this poem
I just know that the title stuck in my mind and the poem itself took over
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Well this was interesting. I did like th title of the poem because to me it made me think of baggage which was felt throughout the poem. All the baggage and stuff carried around.
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yes, you're absolutely right. bags of all kinds do just that.
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wow...i really liked this =]
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I like this one alot. A nice take on the subject. I think that the use of common words and referencences to lower class liquors is a good way to express the banality of the lowly paper bag.
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i started the poem with in a different light then, the poem took over and wrote itself.
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am unfamiliar with these potable:"with fifths of E & J
or cans of 211" am i out-of-it or just not-with-it enuff? bag good title/play on words good opening very good ening lines thank you for sharing regards zaj
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yes, fifths of e&j and cans of 211 are usually the drinks of the poor, like thunderbird, night train and other rot gut liquor.
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cool take on a common topic
Ha! it's a thoughtful poem with a nice environmental twist! I know this doesn't say much about the poem, but i appreciate your spacing. It does make it easier to read and not rush to the next line. Perhaps i'll starting spacing it the same. Now, as the poem goes, i like it because i feel the vocabulary goes with the topic: kinda drab, but useful. If that offends, i apologize, but i don't think it's a bad thing, just a matter of opinion. Words like "looked over", "forgotten", "smooth", "flat", "wasted", empty", "crumbed". I think they are somewhat expected, but they do paint a concise picture.
lizbian -
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Thanks for stopping by
yes, I do tend to use cliché a bit. As with my writing I'm always editing, we'll see if I come up with something better.
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