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  2. incantation

    Blind

    Two singers in different dreams Attempt to wake sleepers, Do songs match. Which tears of time weigh More those Falling from the artist or Soldier of war. Shadows on ships On Greek water, lyric songs carried Across waves. Stories on Land in oral form. Homer held Storm between his Hands to reap it's excavation and To see his sleeping form In a dream, his face reflected In the tears of time-he whispered Stories. Did the closed eyes Of Zeus reveal themselves In the winds blowing in from The sea to a blind story Teller, wings without shadows. Route to Leda's shifting Form, Greece Homer's Queen. Hidden knowledge of Hellenistic Astronomical theory.
  3. Branches in winter yet unfulfilled of shiny dreams; barren? Unknown the possibilities flowering; despairingly tired prospects lying dormant, unseeded gardens waiting….. Waiting for worlds unfolding fresh oceans so blue the light itself drinks the real and true that has no hanging shadows the push through walls the flashing the rearranging the coalescing the blind seeing the deaf hearing the parched world beginning to sing past the thirst of dying to living past the faded tracts of time now disappearing to some new awakening. After the grim task of dying Stars showering new ways of being whispering through the ashes scattering
  4. Terry A

    The Go Board

    Hello David, So good to read you out and about! Such a grievous error to use the word 'moved' when it should be 'placed'. I was careless of a poem that, came as a dream/vision. I understand the game, and play most amaturely, but the philosophy it represents is fascinating. The presence of the hawk was to heighten the tension of the poem and to give dimension to the man whose 'chivalric charm' could only be represented by restraint. Yes, the words 'too much', do nothing for the poem and will be changed. I think I finally understand your meaning regarding judgement; the words were to alert the reader that the character had his mind elsewhere than just the game. But that is part of the deep philosophy the game represents, where all of life finds some reflection. A Go book quoted a master player who said, "If you want to know another's mind, play Go with them". Subtlety most characterizes the Oriental mind at its best. Thank you for your superb comments on the poem, you have pointed out where improvements could definitely be made. Someone once said, that no poet becomes great without a great critic and all the greats had them. Here you demonstrate the great value of literary criticism.
  5. David W. Parsley

    The Go Board

    How thoroughly charming, Terry! Apologies for my late entry to the discussion, especially given your kindly phrased shout-out. Like Tink, I am very much taken by the visual art of the piece, the deft deployment of white space and organizationally posed punctuation. I confess that I have recently experimented with such techniques in adopting "brushed" versions of my haiku and tanka (see links if interested.) This is an inspiration. I am fascinated by the title, comparing a two-person game of strategy often compared to warfare, as the symbol of romantic interplay between the two protagonists. Yet board-play intrudes only once, and ever so unobtrusively into the poem. I would like to dispense with technicalities before proceeding with further discussion of poetics, so I will point out that stones in Go are typically clicked down into place and never touched again except to be removed from the board, rather than "moved" as in chess. Not sure what to suggest, just sayin'. Then, too, though certainly introducing an element of shogun intrigue, I am not sure what to make of a man who brings his hawk to such a setting after day has closed. This technicality left me squirming a bit. Also I should mention that I was not disturbed by the diminutive "he" at first reading, but upon reflection, agree that capitalization would be most consistent with the form concept you adopt here, a privilege and responsibility of "free" verse. Now on to the more explicitly poetic stuff! Terry. That first stanza really sets the mood for romantic encounter, decidedly Oriental in atmosphere and chivalric charm. How does poetry do what it does? In a few brief lines I am drawn into a teahouse setting embowered with jasmine trees holding back an evening mist. The sense of privacy and mutual fascination is intense, but nothing is clear, as indicated in the mist-mind dichotomy sonically and thematically anticipated by the tenderly wrapped tea-jasmine combination at the start. A vulnerable tension (this, too, is skillfully drawn as mutual though she be characterized as "shy") is sustained in the r-sounds in wrapped-flowers-through-air-rain, suspended for a few contemplative nasal-mediated whiffs of rain-mist-mingled-mind, then achingly resumed in unbearably-her. (Am I the only one who infers things about her hair in all that "air" business? Exquisite!) Second stanza. Okay, despite my technical objections above, the symbology and tangibility of the hawk's presence is irresistible. With the presence of this feral-tame fowl, the poem transcends its genre with a unique element. Much like the faux-brusque suitor himself, the bird's actions are barely restrained behind a well-maintained rigor of personal conduct and (again) chivalric depose. But the stone has still been placed and must be answered. The night is young, as are the couple illustrated, but also will not wait - a sense of opportunity is presented, but it is ephemeral and mortal, as are all things temporal. And beautiful. (Consider changing the poem to present tense to add immediacy to this suspended moment.) Hear the unsettled aspect of the encounter in flapped-flew-moved-stroking verbplay. I have two quarrels with phrasing in the dramatic development toward the end. First, "too much" is a judgement phrase, telling rather than showing. I suggest finding a more subtle way to exhibit this sign of his vulnerability and cause for unease on her part. And as already discussed, the final line of this inspired piece is far too prosaic. Please continue to craft this piece, Terry. I look forward to the next revision, but don't touch it too hard. Thanks (I think!), - Dave
  6. David W. Parsley

    POEM "About God"

    Hi Assaf, we as poets seek to engage with and capture, however fleetingly, the essence of existence and its mysteries. Though I am a Christian, I do not think encounters with the Divine are uniquely relegated to people of my faith. It is probably a universal experience and one of the most profound interactions that define our common humanity. Unlike physical interactions, it is most commonly intangible, not susceptible to examination under microscope or titration in an Erlenmeyer flask. Even for poetry, attaining strands of the ineffable is most successfully accomplished when accompanied by deft inclusions of the tangible world. (See Barry's "she" for a recent example on PMO.) So here the physical image of incomprehensibly organized particles streaming through one's consciousness evokes our most transcendent experiences. Christ himself said it this way: "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." Once again, appealing to a commonly apprehended phenomenon in the physical world; yet one's inner self is inexplicably quickened. Cheers, - Dave
  7. Assaf1981

    Tantalizing

    His stomach is growling. ROARING more like. Parched is his throat-beyond parched. It’s burning. All around him; water: sparkling, fizzling water. Tempting, beckoning. At the pool’s edge stands a tree, its branches hanging close to the pool, dangling pears, bananas, apples, pomegranates, and even chicken wings plus sausages! Tempting, beckoning. So close, so tempting. Can’t resist the urge anymore… He bends his head. Thin, empty air. No water. Dry is his swimsuit-clad body, very dry. He reaches towards the food. His fingertips barely touch them! “REMEMBER YOUR CRIME, SINNER,” screams a disembodied voice. He groans painfully, resigned to his sentence.
  8. They promised me stability... They promised me consistency... They promised me love... They promised me gentleness... They promised me 'No Retarded Questions'... They promised me 'Proper Responses to Everything'... They promised me understanding... They promised they would listen... They promised they would respect my feelings... They promised they would 'Let me be me'... They promised me everything I've ever wanted in a family... Oh, man, why is my throat burning? Why am I bleeding? So much blood! Why's my new family standing there; some grinning, some staring coldly, while mother's wielding a kitchen knife, stained with blood? Darkness... overtakes... me.
  9. Assaf1981

    POEM "About God"

    Are you a christian?
  10. Assaf1981

    The conquering Colonists

    I am gonna rewrite this, but in drabble form. 😉
  11. badger11

    Cape Magazine

    I had some wandering to do before I found a harbour for this poem Dave!
  12. badger11

    The Seventh Quarry

    Thanks Dave. The editor has put together a diverse and interesting publication.
  13. badger11

    Byways Anthology ((Arachne Press)

    Thank you Dave. The editor has put in a lot of work to make this publication happen.
  14. David W. Parsley

    POEM "About God"

    I really identify with the nicely turned image of God's Presence that "move(s) like molecules on. / a mission." If you have experienced it, you immediately recognize in that description the sensation that transforms, the "reason enough to love" and a knowledge that one is simply returning a measure of it. This poem would certainly benefit from extensive crafting IMHO. But I found resonance in this description of encountering a Personal God. Thanks, - David
  15. David W. Parsley

    Smile

    I'd like to buy the world a coke and keep it company... 🙃 - Dave
  16. David W. Parsley

    The conquering Colonists

    Reminds me of the work of Lord Dunsany in some ways. One comes away wondering if the parable has been fully grasped. I found it surprising that these colonists overthrow even the avenging angels. Thought Provoking, - David
  17. David W. Parsley

    She

    Thanks for the bump, Assaf. I have been meaning to return to this one. There is such simple elegance in this ethereal lyric. It is both classic (in the very, very best sense) and movingly vibrant. There is a Pygmalion ecstasy about the poem that touches the deepest quaking felt when considering the elegant virtues of that Beauvoirian Other, the unutterable grace that possesses the Feminine in the body of Creation and of one individual Beloved. Beguilingly accessible, this piece is one of your most quick and rapturous yet, Barry. Thank you. Thank you. - David
  18. David W. Parsley

    Byways Anthology ((Arachne Press)

    How very cool. See my prior comment about appearing in hard print. Well Done, - Dave
  19. David W. Parsley

    Wildfire Words

    A nice piece that plays well in theme with the immediately previous publication, "Librarian." Keep reading Phil, it's okay. And walking around in the world. And writing. Cheers 😉 - Dave
  20. David W. Parsley

    The Seventh Quarry

    Glad to see that this one found a home in the broader world, Phil. Perhaps I am a bit of a mumpsimus myself, but I consider it a score to appear in hard print. Sorry I missed it before in our Members only forum (not previously published - I have figured that one out!). Congrats, - Dave
  21. Earlier
  22. https://www.facebook.com/share/yzEBYid9hXTopwGF/ https://arachnepress.com/books/anthologies-poetry-and-short-fiction/byways/rough-island-phil-woods-inspiration-for-byways/ https://arachnepress.com/books/anthologies-poetry-and-short-fiction/byways/interactive-byways-map/ I have a poem appearing in this anthology.
  23. Prayer Warrior (1).mp3
  24. Assaf1981

    The conquering Colonists

    When they had first arrived, these conquering colonists, they had come for the adults; ages 20 – 100 and over. There was a great war, spreading throughout the whole world, lasting many decades, yet it was all for naught, for the invaders had prevailed, annihilating the adults in ways unutterable to human lips. Then they departed, just as quickly as they had first arrived. Then they had returned, these conquering colonists, and they had come for the teenagers; ages 13 – 19. There was a bloody war, spreading throughout the whole world, lasting many months, yet it was all for naught, for the invaders had prevailed, annihilating the teenagers in ways unutterable to human lips. Then they departed, just as quickly as they had first arrived. Then they had returned, these conquering colonists, and they had come for the children; ages 6 – 12. There were series of small-scale skirmishes, spreading throughout the whole world, lasting many weeks, yet it was all for naught, for the invaders had prevailed, annihilating the children in ways unutterable to human lips. Then they departed just as quickly as they had first arrived. Then they had returned, these conquering colonists, and they had come for the toddlers; ages 2 – 5. They met no resistance. No, only screaming, sobbing, and wailing, yet they had shown no mercy, annihilating the toddlers in ways unutterable to human lips. Then they departed, just as quickly as they had first arrived. Then they had returned, these conquering colonists, and they had come for the infants; from age 1 and below. Again, they met no resistance, only screaming and wailing and sobbing, and yet they had shown no mercy, annihilating the infants in ways unutterable to human lips. Then they departed, just as quickly as they had first arrived. Then they had returned, these conquering colonists, and they had come for the beasts of the field, the fish of the sea, and the fowls of the air. There was a series of skirmishes, spreading throughout the whole world, lasting many weeks, and yet fang, tooth, claw, paw, and wing prevailed not, for the invaders had annihilated the animal kingdom in ways best left unrecorded. Then they departed, just as quickly as they had first arrived. Then they had returned, these conquering colonists, for the herbs bearing seeds and all the fruit trees. Fire, fangs, and claws had utterly annihilated the entire plant kingdom, depriving the world of all life. Finally, they had settled, making this war-torn fallen world their own. Yet, they enjoyed not long the fruits of their conquest, for a fleet of vessels had descended from the darkened heavens, greeted by the slavering, snarling, growling, roaring and hissing colonists with fangs glistened, claws sharpened, spells tempered, and fireballs wielded. Out they came! These invaders: men-like beings adorned with wings of eagles, stern of countenance, bathed in radiant lights, some wearing armour, and some wearing long, white flowing robes. A great war ensued, spreading throughout the entire world, lasting many a millenia. Yet it was all for naught, for the colonists had prevailed, utterly annihilating the invaders in ways best left unrecorded. Then the colonists resumed their task, making this war-torn fallen world their own, populating it with new life-their own kind.
  25. badger11

    Wildfire Words

    https://wildfire-words.com/os5-jan-feb-2024/#Phil-Wood
  26. Assaf1981

    She

    LIKE!
  27. Assaf1981

    The Colonists

    When they had first arrived, these conquering invaders, they had come for the adults; ages 20 – 100 and over. There was a great war, spreading throughout the whole world, lasting many decades, yet it was all for naught, for the invaders had prevailed, annihilating the adults in ways unutterable to human lips. Then they departed, just as quickly as they had first arrived. Then they had returned, these conquering invaders, and they had come for the teenagers; ages 13 – 19. There was a bloody war, spreading throughout the whole world, lasting many months, yet it was all for naught, for the invaders had prevailed, annihilating the teenagers in ways unutterable to human lips. Then they departed, just as quickly as they had first arrived. Then they had returned, these conquering invaders, and they had come for the children; ages 6 – 12. There were series of small-scale skirmishes, spreading throughout the whole world, lasting many weeks, yet it was all for naught, for the invaders had prevailed, annihilating the children in ways unutterable to human lips. Then they departed just as quickly as they had first arrived. Then they had returned, these conquering invaders, and they had come for the toddlers; ages 2 – 5. They met no resistance. No, only screaming, sobbing, and wailing, yet they had shown no mercy, annihilating the toddlers in ways unutterable to human lips. Then they departed, just as quickly as they had first arrived. Then they had returned, these conquering invaders, and they had come for the infants; from age 1 and below. Again, they met no resistance, only screaming and wailing and sobbing, and yet they had shown no mercy, annihilating the infants in ways unutterable to human lips. Then they departed, just as quickly as they had first arrived. Then they had returned, these conquering invaders, and they had come for the beasts of the field, the fish of the sea, and the fowls of the air. There was a series of skirmishes, spreading throughout the whole world, lasting many weeks, and yet fang, tooth, claw, paw, and wing prevailed not, for the invaders had annihilated the animal kingdom in ways best left unrecorded. Then they departed, just as quickly as they had first arrived. Then they had returned, these conquering invaders, for the herbs bearing seeds and all the fruit trees. Fire, fangs, and claws had utterly annihilated the entire plant kingdom, depriving the world of all life. Finally, the invaders settled, making this war-torn fallen world their own, populating it with new life-their own kind. Yet, they enjoyed not long the fruits of their conquest, for a fleet of vessels had descended from the darkened heavens, greeted by the slavering, snarling, growling, roaring and hissing colonists with fangs glistened, claws sharpened, spells tempered, and fireballs wielded. Out they came! These invaders: men-like beings adorned with wings of eagles, stern of countenance, bathed in radiant lights, some wearing armour, and some wearing long, white flowing robes. A great war ensued, spreading throughout the entire world, lasting many a millenia. Yet it was all for naught, for the colonists had prevailed, utterly annihilating the invaders in ways best left unrecorded. Then the colonists resumed their task, making this war-torn fallen world their own, populating it with new life-their own kind.
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