A harmonica takes me back to a time
when the heartbeat pulsated
without a desire for money wagons,
before the uncaring won
the wrong side of the spiritual equation.
And while the reeds and wind keep on blowing,
while the strings of an acoustic guitar
resonate with the urgency
of a searchlight,
a well meaning busker is stoned
like Dylan’s rainy day women.
Oh I can’t find you anymore,
where in the hell did you go?
Did you lose your way riding the tail
of some psychedelic whale,
did the forest fail to create
even a single portal of release?
I mean, I want to stand inside a doorway
of brotherhood . . . BUT DAMN IT!
I fear everybody jumped
from question mark windows
and landed like numbly protected melons
in some all consuming marketplace
of self-satisfied pillows.
Ya, it’s been tough these days,
everyone wants to take a picture
of the latest pocket of pain and suffering
and paste it upon an internet
personal space
for all the world to ogle
and applaud.
And the petals of orange flowers no longer fall
from Greenwich Village balconies,
the poets and songwriters are too busy
being superceded by large conglomerates
who think that art is represented
by sports heros on cereal boxes.
There’s a faded poster hanging on my wall . . .
it tells of the internal fortune
to be found in the incensed palate
of many years ago,
when TRUTH was something to be cherished
and mined in the ore fields of the heart
and not in the tragic vision
of body bags enshrouded
in red, white and blue
cloth.
In a list
A contest entry
- Pain In Poetry by Jadis Blade.
450 points, ended April 11, 2008, 57 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - HELP ME!!!!! by ShadowsDream.
300 points, ended April 10, 2008, 20 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Unique Poetry by nikkia.
600 points, ended April 14, 2008, 41 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
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Your way of thinking is so very unique and a sorely needed voice in todays society. The beginning of this poem was so rich, steeped in metaphor. I could feel the days of the old, the dust sweeping in the air as the harmonica played and then as the poem continued it took a change even in how you were writing but it went well moving forward into the present day. You described how many of us feel so forlorn as we move into a recession on many levels. Wonderful and worth the gold and worth me saving as a fav
Suz
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A very fine piece of work amnd worthy of the "gold".
Congratulations and happy trails -
Indeed, this is uniquely said. The lines occasionally seem a bit nonsensical as in "numbly protected melons," which reads to mean that the WORD "protected" is numb.
On the other hand I absolutely love the line "did you lose your way riding the tail of some psychedelic whale." The rhythm of the line is great and it seemed to convey drug use. A wonderful way of saying that.
Congratulations on the gold.
~ Joyce
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Thank you for sharing this poem it is so captivating. It takes you on such a journey. I enjoyed getting so absorbed in it. I was hanging on your every word. You said so much and you said it so eloquently. Your style is very unique and I loved it. I really appreciate your entry and good luck in the contest
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Amazing Truth in your Words!
What skill... the title, the poem itself... simply amazing! You have a great talent!
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You have such a unique voice, Marc. And once again I can only applaud the way you make poetry, the way you speak about the essence of life and love and humanity; about the things that matter. I loved the opening lines and the reference to music here... the music of life - it's true music, its "internal palate". I applaud you, poet!!
~ Nicolette
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hhmmmm
yes I know what you mean with this one, just when it all changed I'm not sure, but it sure did!
'I fear everyone jumped from question mark windows'
a thoughtful and caring muse
'when truth was something to be cherished
and mined in the ore fields of the heart'
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"Did you lose your way riding the tail
of some psychedelic whale"
Hee hee hee! Reading you is so refreshing. Just when I am feeling all swishy you bring me back to reality, and sometimes I need it! Your poetry makes me grateful for what I have.
So good
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breath taking!
you have amazing ward choice it all flows together its truly amazing -
This is one of the most in-depth poems I have had the great pleasure of reading. It takes so many roads as it travels to the powerful and provocative ending....the last verse says more to my soul than I can express! Thank you for sharing this.
Blessings~
Az
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Liked the style you used in writing this poem - has a powerful conclusion. Can hear someone playing the harmonica and feeling these senetiments you express so well with your words.
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well done
Insightful and significant. I like also the way it flows.
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I agree with Richard, and Wanda. Your voice speaks for the masses! Excellent hon.
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"I fear everybody jumped
from question mark windows
and landed like numbly protected melons
in some all consuming marketplace
of self-satisfied pillows."
Dammmnnn...Scribe, you've nailed it with this one, my Friend. Profound, visceral, raw, pervasive. Wanda
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What a great write and what a great statement you make. I wish everyone felt this way, the world just might be a little better off.
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excellence is rare
why can't political speeches hold this kind of meaning...this is what we really want
not crossed-finger promises of utopia
this is great Marc
wish I had written it
best wishes
peace Muddy
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Thanks Muddy . . . I guess political speeches these days are completely devoid of any fragment of truth . . .
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