Corridors
Less than complete, he walked away.
He was only an old friend’s excuse
to hug, to graze his cheek. To bare white
pickpocket teeth. Sweating
for another identity, a foreign name,
a thicker tongue, his jacket grew light.
Nibbles from the outsider section.
Badly edited directions that safe
people would stray from only if assured.
Oprah’s chef tried the sauce and lived.
Oprah gave it up and lost as much
as she wanted. Something served
in less than sixty-seconds wasn’t
what this lonely acquaintance was after.
Nothing a fluorescent light set to glow
under a humming blue light. He had to have
the real deal set on flushed-out flesh.
He turned the corner and circled back.
Photo from Pensiero, “Forget the Darkness,” first line from One More Believer.
Don’t ask me what it means, because I don’t know. I started one place, from the first line of course, the poetry prompt from Christine’s first line prompt at RWP a number of days ago. And I added an image to the mix. One from the artist Christine used for the last visual prompt at RWP. I have been known to put five wheels on a car before. And probably did the same thing again, here.
You want more (and probably better!) first line inspired poems? Go here.
As for “writing a poem to write a poem shouldn’t be allowed but it is.” NaPoWriPo is day after tomorrow. I’m going to do it this year. Although I will not be subjugating you to posting them all.
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I don’t know all the what it means but that doesn’t matter, does it? I don’t think so. This has that thunk-upside-the- head factor, make you wanna think effect, the kind of read that draws you in, and you’re going to read it a dozen times or more and enjoy it regardless if you’re sure what it means. And for what it’s worth, you’re gonna get meaning each time you read it. Enjoyed this, Deb.
I’ve read it a few times..finished trying to figure it out..but I really like it..
Exceptional poem. I really like it.
Fascinating. I really like it too, especially the first stanza.
Thanks for reading, everyone. *And* for the comments.
Yeah, Susan. Meaning is usually over-rated or evaluated. But sometimes people want to know. And sometimes I like to be clear. Outside my poetry, which I like to be layered and dense. Sometimes. :-)
Hey Wayne, thanks for stopping by. I appreciate you reading it a few times, too. Nice.
Dave, I get all excited when you say you like something. “Cause you are a man of few words. That way. Not that you are wordless.
Jo. Hugs. I think the first stanza has some kind of rhythm the others could benefit from.
I also think it’s really good. & I like the first stanza especially.
oh geez, i left a comment and then my computer crashed… so i’ll come back later and see if it went thru if not.. i’ll try again…
ok so that comment went thru… try to remember what i sed the first time… something abt you did honor to that first line… love the abstract description.. i think thrz a fine line in creating a story that we can all understand in the abstract and you have done it well… i especially love the oprah line… both humor and drama… and birdz, i luv em too, too… it has something to do with innocence, purity, flying, freedom… tanks deb…
This poem reminds me of your SF short story in qarrtsiluni. Very cool, Deb. I have the impression of a man who’s almost invisible. I like this very much.
Oh, thanks, OMB. It’s a relief :-) you like this. I tend to get too abstract. But the mood seemed to suit. This time.
Thanks, C. There is an otherworldly sense to it. I wanted to feel as if both persons were nearly indistinguishable. (Not concrete! That’s the gamble.) So I’m pleased with your reaction.