David W. Parsley Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 Do not stand thereAs if you would paste an eye on the face of the moon. Draw the blind And let me divide this fixed mirrorFrom the tranquil face inlaid in the grim glass.Bas-relief the shadow panelsThat shift on the wall. Then watch. Watch. A spotOn that wall Forms in a smeared faceAnd runs like a wound – clots, then bleeds againWhile I wink at my blind cyclops.And the cyclops’ face is a grin of quaint agony tonightAs a strong jaw presses against his chin,Bowing him from behind and bending the dull glassTo fit my purple retina.I almost laugh.But tonight the moon is eyelessAnd the shadow panels are ready to shift on the wall.So watch. Chisel at the firm mouth.Witness the lipsCurl back from wet fangsAnd see the hair-backed hands drop into paws While I must study through the fixed cornerThat shows your face on the blank tileEdging toward the doorImagining you see a silhouette Stencilled on the yellow shade.Forget the clumsiness of hoovesand laugh. You know I hate new moons. first published in Prize Poems of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, 1977 winner NFSPS Modern Award © 2011 David W. Parsley Parsley Poetry Collection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyv Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 A very enjoyable (and impressive) composition, Dave. I can't believe you wrote this back in '77 when I was seven and didn't even know there existed such a thing as a poem. This definitely put me in the mood for halloween. Thanks for sharing it here. Tony Quote Here is a link to an index of my works on this site: tonyv's Member Archive topic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Excellent imagery which embraces the surreal and yet at the same time doesn't quite let go of the tangible. A scary poem for those brave enough to assimilate it. Benjamin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank E Gibbard Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Craftmanship sir, engrossing read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen M. Callirhoe Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 wow the imagery of the "cult holiday" at its best here. I was only 6 tony when this was composed. exalt amigo. love this! victor Quote Larsen M. Callirhoe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David W. Parsley Posted October 30, 2011 Author Share Posted October 30, 2011 A very enjoyable (and impressive) composition, Dave. I can't believe you wrote this back in '77 when I was seven and didn't even know there existed such a thing as a poem. This definitely put me in the mood for halloween. Thanks for sharing it here. Tony Thanks, Tony, glad you like it. 1977. This award was my first in the world of adult literary competition on a national scale. I was fascinated with the concepts discussed in Robert Bly's "Leaping Poetry," which was all the rage at the time. And I still had the high school urge to scare the beegeebies out of people. Top that off with my first forays into psychology and you get this disturbing little thing. - Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David W. Parsley Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Excellent imagery which embraces the surreal and yet at the same time doesn't quite let go of the tangible. A scary poem for those brave enough to assimilate it. Benjamin < diabolical cackle > Thanks for taking the trouble to assimilate. Happy Halloween! - Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eclipse Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 very good this and original Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David W. Parsley Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Craftmanship sir, engrossing read. Much appreciated, Frank. I confess to making a tweak or two here and there before posting it on PMO, but I mostly let it come through in its original vitality. - Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David W. Parsley Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 wow the imagery of the "cult holiday" at its best here. I was only 6 tony when this was composed. exalt amigo. love this! victor Hi Victor, Funny you should put it that way. As a matter of fact, Lord Talbot himself came down the hill to visit after this was published. He was not entirely displeased with the production, but thought it impudent that I should assume first hand knowledge of his peculiar anxieties. In his current state (so he put it, at the time), I shouldn't worry, but he added that he could not be held responsible if I have a less favorable encounter on down the road. This came with the gentle reminder concerning the immortality of his kind, inconvenient as that may be... - Dave (shiver) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David W. Parsley Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 very good this and original Ah, Eclipse, it just wouldn't have been a complete holiday without you acknowledging your participation in the experience. Thanks for the kind words from one so accomplished in the genre. - Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dedalus Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 I apologise for not responding to this poem sooner ... it fell below the radar (an out-dated slapdash system in my case held together by sticking plaster and rubber bands). You are a very scary guy -- or at least you were in 1977 when the first version emerged. Your profile photo shows a smiling guy in a tie. Maybe you are fooling us all!! Seriously, this is quite a good poem although I have a few nits with the sudden capitalisation of words in the middle of lines. Not a major issue, so well done Dave! Brendan Quote Drown your sorrows in drink, by all means, but the real sorrows can swim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dedalus Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 P.S. I seem to have imagined the necktie ... but it is there, isn't it? Quote Drown your sorrows in drink, by all means, but the real sorrows can swim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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