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Ode to Memory
-or-
Woe to the Taker
Lives in the folds
the flash of
light against
the cavity
in crinkled
aluminum.
There is so
much to tell
so much is
Lost in the
telling
Reprieve: the
retelling
How can the
wind take
away the
thoughts
…Without leaving
something in
its wake.
The love hit
Windwise
in the
face, through
the hair.
A dark Dawn
waiting for the
light
She's supersticious
that way
…I know
So am I.
But the darkness
overcomes
and the cruelty
beckons
Join it
Join it
Join …
The wind's
voice: "Join
Con-join"
The answer:
Not an
imperitive,
an observation:
You've already joined.
"Escape"
in whisper
escapes her
lips
- into
the wind.
I didn't hear (of course) but I knew(of course)
Her post-cards
are dragons
in my subconscious.
The good kind.
Sometimes the
whisper on
the wind - -
"Escape"
?also an observation.
Woe to them
who seek to
capture the
dawn.
Woe to them
?all.
It has been so
long.
The senses are
filled with
the triumph-
dancing in the
street.
"Escape" "Join"
"Join" "Escape"
They aren't, you
realize, as we
all shall-eventually
-the
same voice.
It is/has
always been-
a game.
The fans of
the opposition
snarl-
No whispering
in the arena:
"Join
Join
Join"
Chanting.
Home-team fans,
fearing for the
well-being of
"our" hero:
"?Escape"
almost breathless
almost a
whisper- -
A hope, a
wish:
louder with
the force of
it all
-- in their
minds.
You've got the
"ball"?
"Join"
"Escape"
The twin baskets
give way to
an elaborate
obstacle course
Someone, you
decide, has
too much
time on
his hands
his:
women have
never been
this cruel-
Why start now?
You join the
escape through
the woods:
Obstacles ?
practicly ignored,
easy--
second nature.
Like giggling.
Like reaching for
your face while
flirting:
Instinct.
"Join"
"Join"
With pain you
realize the collective voice
of the opposition's
fans
-is your own.
Woe to the self
who betrays
the self
publicly, vocally
and on paper.
"Escape" Still an
echo.
If you hate
yourself
What can be
the motivation
of the fan,
but murder.
You stare at her
and she at
you.
"Tag," says she
and touches
you - much
too lightly to be
a tag?
"you're it"
-- almost pronouncing
the words, through
the contraction.
But you love
her.
So you play with
her.
And though you
will her to
win, you
don't throw
the game
(She will enjoy
it more for
the challenge-
if, a challenge,
you are?)
"Escape!"
You scream, clutch-
ing your ears.
With the wind
She is off and
you rethink
"no tagbacks"
Tauntingly, you
sauter after
her.
"'ello? I am
Looking to find
you."
It is in your
mind. All.
a memory
-how pleasant-
a vision
-how serindipitous-
You cry: "Join"
You cry.
On your knees
now, face in
hands - no more
tears to cry.
Moisture from
Sweat an' tears
and dirt from
the air
Create an
abrasive
mud on
your forehead.
Cool.
The water
on your fingers.
If only you could
breathe this
fountain's bounty.
Where was this
fountain in the
dream.
You are younger
now.
Princes and
Princesses are
as real to you
as treasure chests
and pots of gold.
You delight in the
new.
Your smile moves
me.
Moves me like
mountains.
Sometimes the
Knowledge is
overwhelming
Sometimes.
"Escape"
"Join"
Where, but for
the ladybugs
and butterflys.
"Join" "Escape"
But it seems
impossible
they both seem
unattainable.
The poet speaks
your thoughts
"Jinx" you say.
"More tea" says
he.
Waiting, thus,
for the light.
Waiting for
the escape.
Waiting for the
joining.
And the two-
headed bear
from before
(You were so
innocent then.)
It could not have
occured to you
that sewing the
found head onto
Teddy
Would change
his life
forever
The two heads
fight.
he is a freak
like you
Talk about it in
your sleep.
Eventually they
will become
friends, you muse
It is impossible
to share anything
without becoming
friends,
right?
A cigarette.
And your two-headed
bear is gone from
mind again
And the "Join" &
"Escape"
of tag
the real world
?begins again.
You hear it on
the wind.
And you smile.
Circumstance
and
Nostalgia
and a cool breeze
~fin
—r.wesley edwards
Exétafus
wwEd store!!A mundane, rather savage, look at life… Now this is interesting…
And so is this.
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