Never wanton, but knew well
how to melt what some called steel --
easy sway of hips
whispers of cloth
lips petulant --
too often what she wanted
was never given.
The definition of love:
frequently tangled
or misunderstood
or mistaken for visceral predation.
Often it came down to being
able to describe a sound --
most can’t sit in silence
let the sun come home
let planking of boat
speak. All she is --
given. Celebrated.
Worship is not
worth loneliness.
No matter how many
stars collect in the sails,
none can match
the hand on the cheek
another pair of lips
blowing steam off coffee
watching a smile
grow in your eyes.
10:49 AM
Sept. 16th, 2008
Alexandria, VA
Author notes
Another facet of Plain Jane 
In a list
A contest entry
- Character growing (PW Allowed by SoulfulBubbles.
300 points, ended October 16, 2008, 11 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think, what it makes you feel, how you are moved.
Comments
1 - 40 of 40
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Fantastic! I haven't read your 'Plain Jane' series...I'm assuming there is one..and now I will have to delve into her psyche with interest! There are
so many levels here, like a nesting doll..open one and find another inside..great work..but then..yours always is.
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Plain Jane started some years ago, check out the list Plain Jane: Adventures in Living. I am always amazed at how stunning, beautiful woman find themselves to be ugly because, I think, of how many men deem themselves unworthy of them and those that don't, abuse. I have known women, whose intelligence and beauty left me in awe, cry on my shoulders and tell me how ugly they were. It was the only way they could explain how they were treated. Of course, not all women who are beautiful suffer this way, but I am amazed how many know the pain.
Plain Jane is my spin on this. It is about the blossoming and the inner wisdom, the clarity of spirit, real beauty. Pretty is cheap and buyable. Beauty is a clarification of the inner spirit that allows someone to touch you deeply and leave you feeling richer. They are always beautiful.
I have thirteen Plain Jane poems. Will they all get edited and changed as time goes on? Probably. Do I want to get enough for a chap book? It would be wonderful if I can have that happen. Do I run on? Yes, on occasion. Hope that I wasn't to boring.
Love,
Tom B.
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I think I need to learn about Plain Jane so it seems. This is a very deep poem and I had to read it several times for there is so much inbetween the lines of this poem.
The definition of love;
frequently tangled
or misunderstood
or mistaken for visceral predation.
Well I could really relate to this part of the poem. Best wishes in the contest. Thank you for sharing with me.
Wishing You Many Blessings
Much Love
Kelle Marie
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I think there are twelve or thirteen poems about plain jane. They got started because of a stunningly beautiful woman. Then became an amalgamation of a number of stunning woman I have known. The fact that she is called plain jane is very tongue in cheek. You will notice this is part of a list called Plain Jane: Adventures in Living. I think if you will read some of the others that someday I will have a book.
Love,
Tom B.
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I have just spent a good 15 mins working on a critique of your poem - then all of a sudden some message from Yahoo blagged my screen and, when I went back, all was lost! Nevermind - in summary some great words here, especially Stanza's 1, 2 & 4. I am not too sure about this section though:
"Often it came down to being
able to describe a sound --
most can’t sit in silence
let the sun come home
let planking of boat
speak."
I find this a little obscure in the context of the rest of the work - also I felt that the flow broke down here. If you read this in isolation, you may see what I mean. The rest of the piece overwhelmed this section with its wonderfully observed and sharply felt poetry, painting vivid images in its central theme of vanity draped love delusion. All in all though, you write intelligently and with expressive strength - and I'm sure I'm not the first to say so! Best wishes to you poet.
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There is always a danger in being too personal and mayhaps that is what is wrong with verse 3. They are images of a friend of mine and I have read those words more than the others trying to get the taste right and the feelings I know that live inside. Like every poem it is never done and all the words will spin their rings around mind until they land aright.
Thanks for being so intrigued by my simple vision to spend so long in review. I appreciate the effort. By the way, contest are really for getting your poems company. It is often good to enter the ones of poets whose images you respect, for in turn they most often treat yours or mine, what ever the case may be with kindness.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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Some of the most beautiful people in the world are the most lonely. Regular everyday people regard them as glamorous, sociable, sexually promiscuous partyers-who always have a man, an exciting life, blah . . .
This is rarely the case. Most beautiful people are busy convincng the smart people they're smart too. . .
Second, when you're taught from a young girl that you're pretty enough to make things happen, then as a growing young woman, you make it your goal to use every advantage your looks afford you.
Intelligence is sadly not coveted the way beauty is, and isn't that silly? As it's truly what keeps us alive, and thriving, no matter what condition our lives get in.
Reputations may be another word for misguidance?
Where it seems she's petulant and self involved, she may be only praticing a survival instinct she learned from an early age. MAYBE, and this is a big maybe, she has since learned she is worth far more than SHE'S allowed herself to be? MAYBE?
I dunno, I felt someone needed to stand up for Janey girl. She's trying to be a better person, she's listening, and paying attention. It's probably just me.
Anther novel, delete it, you started it. LOL. Poor Janey.
God bless her, and you
jin
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You caught the thrust of this poem and the energy perfectly. Sometimes it is just the simplist things that we are looking for. But, it took learning that all the glitter was not gold and a bed has to be a place where there is more than just sex for it to be warm. Sometimes, this is part of a parents fears, a person must go down a road to know they don't want to visit it again. Unfortunately, everyone remembers the trip and never knows what was learned.
Love,
Tom B.
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What a fireworks display this sets off in my mind...
I am listening to Coldplay "IN MY PLACE" and just trying to contemplate togetherness. Intimacy, see "Four Folds" and how we have 4 opportunities to connect; touch, emotion, intellect, shared spiritual intimacy. Everyone I have talked to only gets 2-3 and a touch of four. We are atractted to the physical that melts the steel, then care about emotion, are intrigued and captivated by intellect, but the deepest love is two souls in love... -
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First we believe what we want is the physical, but we soon must face the lie. It only confirms and validates the others and without them we feel hollow inside. Emotions are scarey, because rarely have we been gifted with a guide to help us realize how much choice we have in chosing how to respond to the feelings and what they describe. Still these are only resources to a sense of well being and completion and we have to separate out all the stories and fears that our mind has created to fill in the holes for what we don't know. If we were loved as a child and not too abused, if we were respected and taught how to choose, learned to love ourself as a worthy being, then our intlellect is our friend and we can have clarity and understanding of life and how with another we have a mirror to see how to grow clearly within and the gift of sharing and love for the things we know make our life sing. Then comes the moment when we see that we have a partner in the Light. As we grow in our spirit and experience we can share with one another the ups and downs as we learn the path before us in these days and nights.
Glad you enjoyed this. It is really about how we must face a world that judges us on our history while we are often leaning how to be in the moment.
Peace,
Tom B.
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Now Tom, you drew me in from the first stanza. The second stanza defines love well. I dont think I have read your 'Plain Jane' pieces but I now I will have to go and read more.
Juls
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Look up what visceral predation really means and you will see that i was only talking about how love is oft not understood. I wanted to catch teh ways that reputation keeps people from seeing us the way we are and realizing what we are really about. Positive or negative, a rep is made up of the past. We live in the present. When everyone sees you out of the filter of your reputation they never see you for what you are right now.
Love, Tom B.
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vivdly descriptive
I agree with the first comment that you really clearly described seduction. It was a detailed and vivid picture from the beginning. Congrats on a great write. I'm now going to stalk down some of your other poetry because this was amazing!
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Often we bait our hook and catch more than a cold. In the game of life we forget what we is inconvient to remember while everyone else defines the present to the past they believe. Seduction is easy. Reaping what you want, in a word, unlikely.
Peace,
Tom B.
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excellent
Never wanton, but knew well
how to melt what some called steel --
easy sway of hips
whispers of cloth
lips petulant --
too often what she wanted
was never given.
The definition of love:
frequently tangled
or misunderstood
or mistaken for visceral predation.
seduction......described so well.....sway of hips et al.done well.this begining made me sit up and read.Thanks for sharing visit some of my poetry and offer comments.
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Now, that is a compliment. To command your attention is a wonderful thing to tell any artist. Thanks for letting me share in the joy.
Love,
Tom B.
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Oh my, what a grand slam of a title and the price paid has an interest rate to others. I like this characterization, it speaks to me of an awakening that sometimes sensuality is seen as a staple food, when it is part of a balanced diet, illusion can be masked by make up and sweet words akin to ambrosia but indeed there is nothing like those moments shared in an equal equalibrium.
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Noteriety is not all it is knocked up to be. Being seen as wonderful beyond words doesn't always lead to a hug and a held hand. It is why, I think, that we learn to enjoy the quiet times we have with good friends, a well done meal. There is joy in a rowdy brawl of grandchildren. But it is also nice to be able to go home.
Love, Tom B.
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Growth
Her growth is starting to show.
She is intriging and yes reputation follows sadly.
I won't say much more cause she touches my heart, but my favorite lines were:
No matter how many
stars collect in the sails,
none can match
the hand on the cheek
another pair of lips
blowing steam off coffee
watching a smile
grow in your eyes.
This is so true a human hand in gentle love is a gift.
Wonderful keep discovering her,I like this charator!
hugs
~Lisa~
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It is part of growing up to discover that all the attention and fanfare is not as important as the quiet company that can gladden the heart and bring the gardens of the spirit to bloom.
Love, Tom B.
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she's beautiful. walking through the world with grace and poise, yet understanding that there's a difference between getting what you want because you're pretty, and getting what you need because you're loved. an intriguing write. well done, tom!
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I would say that sums it rather well.
Love, Tom B.
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She is evolving from the beginning to this one isn't she? Stronger, more knowing and freer. C
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Perhaps she is or perhaps I just am becoming clearer about who she is.
Love, Tom B.
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I understand this so well. You've got a fine finger on the pulse of at least this readers heart. Love, Lane
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Then, all is good.
Love, Tom B.
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Such simple things that can mean so much - liked the thoughts and sentiments expressed in these lines; the flow and the story this tells Words of wisdom you have shared here. Acute observation to detail.
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People make judgements from our actions. Right or Wrong, they can haunt us. Often, the very things we want are what everyone thinks we have. I just wanted to catch how much we have to work to achieve the things we really want.
Love,
Tom B
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A lovely write with powerful seditment spoken from wisdom of experience.
Well done.
Nevadapoet
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Thanks, I am glad you enjoy Plain Jane.
Love, Tom B.
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I love how you took the little details of life and put them into your poem. Beautifully done. The character you describe is quite amusing and I love the title.
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We all have a history that people follow us with. Often it is as full of misunderstanding as those who think they know us.
Love, Tom B.
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Very fine!
What a line: "or mistaken for visceral predation." -- love your pinned beauty here, Tom! A fine example of your supreme work! A message here not to be taken lightly! I am in awe of your poetic skills, my friend! Great job!
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We are told to step past our history and not take it with us. We all know that people don't change. Do they? We pay far too much attention to reputation. I tell my son, once you got one, you may spend a large part of your life trying to get rid of it.
Oh, If I understand what you like? You may love this one.
http://allpoetry.com/poem/3819041
Peace,
Tom B.
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I bet you could make a book of Plain Jane - you write it so well it would probably be a best seller. I can see you doing that.
Once again another beautifully penned poem - especially how you worked love and sex into a reputation. These days thats all people are known for.
Great work!!!
Jordanne
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A book is the goal in the end. A nice little chap book would be just fine. I think I have a few more to go. I write them as I am inspired or when they kick their way into my consciousness.
Love, Tom B.
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"The definition of love:
frequently tangled
or misunderstood
or mistaken for visceral predation.
.... i would have to say all the above. but mostly misunderstood.
where do you com up with spinning these tale. i can so see this as it unravels in words.
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I know how people's preconcieves narrow their listening and often how we forget that people often act and make up reasons second. I read a lot of poets, mostly woman, on this site and I find my inspirations.
Love, Tom B.
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Oh well done!
I can very well imagine Jane in all her vivid glory
Wishing you the very best in this contest, hon; it deserves the very best! -
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I am always telling my son that you make choices without worrying about pleasing anyone, but remember you have to account for how other people can affect your freedoms.
Thanks for the support.
Love, Tom B.
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