Saturday, January 28, 2012

Send in the Clouds

In the window by the mailbox
three wolves howl despair
where those babies lived
D'you remember, d'you?
No? maybe it wasn't there ...

But late afternoons when
two moons frequent the low sky
I find myself slowing as I walk by
there or over to the store
to pick up day old bread

Cause that's when it goes on sale
and so do the cakes - the big ones
For just five bucks - who can resist
a whole cake for just five bucks?

Even when things are bad
a five dollar cake makes things better
Doncha think? That's what the old man
used to tell us after he beat the crap
out of mamma and then each one of us
too -

That was before the wolves—
before the babies also
come to that—
But those memories
run together like eggs over easy
with the yolks not settled right...

S.E.Ingraham©
Prompt  inspiration:dVerse Poets-Poetics-Undercurrents w/Manicdaily

9 comments:

  1. Oooh, very sad poem--the ending very strong, under and over currents of real pain here, a painful bravado too; the eggs a very strong image.

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  2. Sharon- Oh, my... this is amazing... and sad... but definitely powerful with strong undercurrents... wow!


    http://lkkolp.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/getting-better-with-time/

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  3. An amazing poem to describe memories.

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  4. This is really a bit innocuous until you pull out the plug and reality rushes in. You build up to the ending quite well and I think you draw us in until we can't let go. Got these lines square in my radar ang noted their signature, since that's a place I know so well:

    That was before the wolves—
    before the babies also
    come to that—
    But those memories
    run together like eggs over easy
    with the yolks not settled right...

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  5. ugh...that last image you end on with the eggs...def has stick to it...vivid and def captures the feel...going from the cakes to the abusive dad is such a contrast too it hits like a punch...well done...

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  6. dang - tough topic - approached in a masterful way - great work on the details - felt...and sad..

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  7. like the conversational feel to this mixed with subtle yet strong imagery. I like the twists as well - they were very unexpected.

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  8. Painful to remember/imagine with you. Great meter and imagery.

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  9. Thanks to Manic, Laurie, oceangirl, Charles, Brian, Claudia, Shelia and kd - it's wonderful that you all read this and commented; so many heartfelt and insightful thoughts - I really appreciate it.

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