dr_con Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 First Response Poets are biographical cannibals sometimes savage and glutinous lips smacking gristle awash in meat juice or a connoisseur's precision marrow on toast, the bones of Ortolan Bunting, delicious cracking of exquisite sins- the best, of course have humble origins, a black bread tomato sandwich, maybe a slice of goat cheese, the gastronomy of wet and seasonal herbs growing along this park on my way to the store, mouth open I am huffing great gulps of green working on this smell of soil as both life and death a metaphor of living awake and buried asleep, when With a great Crash Motorcycle and Car briefly joined, pulls a crowd telling the rider to lie still cell phones calling 911 I reflect on my not doing not sure what I can add unlike my Father not knowing what to do with me after the burning stump incident and a life of scars, becoming a volunteer ambulance driver, later the local president, always at the ready to intervene, but as a poet I just observe and digest Past cops, and firetrucks homeless grifters taunting the crowd with the innocent excitement of children, voluntary interviews, of First Responders and a gradual dispersion, the rider stripped of his helmet and jacket, allowed to stand the driver, tense and nervous allowed in They hug without pretense, grateful to be alive and part of this fine dinner. Quote thegateless.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoelJosol Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 What attracted me is the framework of contexts weaved together so cleverly as each stanza segued into the other. The title "First Responder" I thought was a tongue-in-cheek mockery of people who plain observe rather than help out in situations like this. And how this define the boundaries of poets as either participant or witness. Nice. Quote "Words are not things, and yet they are not non-things either." - Ann Lauterbach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank E Gibbard Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 May I be the second responder DC to praise this observant piece full of background detail and brilliant observation IMO. Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_con Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Thanks JJ & Frank! Much Appreciation, as always... DC Quote thegateless.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 hi dr con - i particularly love the first four stanzas - they stand very powerfully together carrying an excellent theme and clever analogy - however, i was swayed and taken off course a bit by the following three - to me they seem another part or entirely different poem - i got a bit thrown and lost there... but wonderful emotive words written with skill and precision as usual, nonetheless (just my humble opinion!) Quote To receive love, you have to give it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_con Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Thanks for commenting Douglas! Well, to me the first 3 stanzas are a hypothesis and the last grouping a thesis. It was written, all of a piece to describe a 'Real' world experience and all of the layers of consequences, mentally it was created in reverse, meaning the event happened, and then I considered how e cannibalize 'real' moments... Thanks once again! DC Quote thegateless.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyv Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 You must have been at a sidewalk cafe when this incident took place, Dr. Con. This part moved me: I reflect on my not doing not sure what I can add unlike my Father ... because I sometimes feel the same way. Judging by our ages (yours and mine), our parents are probably from the same generation. The members of the so-called "Greatest Generation" (my parents are slightly younger, from a small generation which came immediately after that one, but okay, close enough) did seem to have a different spirit, a can-do attitude, for the most part (except when it came to government; then it was blind allegiance coupled with a "you can't fight city hall" mentality ). So, yes, though I don't always agree with my father -- it's normal for grownups to disagree on things -- I nevertheless look at him with respect an admiration. As for the "first responders," it's wonderful when they are truly heroic and actually save people, but I do have some mixed feelings about them. It seems a lot of them are in it for the glory, and (around here, especially) I could swear there's a lot of drama and intentional tying up of traffic ... probably waiting for the media to arrive. This part is refreshing and, if true, incredible: ... the rider stripped of his helmet and jacket, allowed to stand the driver, tense and nervous allowed in They hug without pretense, grateful to be alive ... It's like something from the other time or generation -- Old School ... the old way. I just get sued even when I'm obviously not at fault. This was an amusing account. I enjoyed how it was based on actual events. 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...
Tinker Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Hi DC, This was great! You set the table for a lavish banquet and the fare didn't disappoint. The meticulous detail observed, the personal insight shared, and a hug at the end. I certainly didn't leave this feast hungry but I will be back for more. I loved especially loved when you shared your own life experience with your Dad, I was very touched. Nice work. ~~Tink Quote ~~ © ~~ Poems by Judi Van Gorder ~~ For permission to use this work you can write to Tinker1111@icloud.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_con Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Thanks Tony, Tinker! Yup the hug actually happened, two guys in their 20s, I think that they were both "at Fault' bad corner anyhow, I was stunned- greatly appreciate the feedback... DC Quote thegateless.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 upon a second reading - less hurried - i have been able to absorb the poem properly - it is lovely and your guidance helped me too! sometimes my head is too in the clouds! got it! thank you dr con! Quote To receive love, you have to give it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aleksandra Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I can't say much here, because I just feel this poem, and can't express myself and my feelings. But I love it. I like how Tony commented on this poem, and I found pretty close to my feelings, and thoughts in most of the parts. This is well written poem Dr.con, I like the title and the speed of the sound. Thanks for sharing. Aleksandra Quote The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth - Jean Cocteau History of Macedonia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_con Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Thanks Tony Aleks! No worries Tony, most times my poems don't appeal to everyone, and you have an absolute right to your response;-) no judgement... I often think we would all be better served if we read everyone's poems as if they were already canonized, and a well meaning teacher had just given them to us to evaluate;-) Much Grace! DC Quote thegateless.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyv Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 dr_con wrote: No worries Tony, most times my poems don't appeal to everyone, and you have an absolute right to your response;-) no judgement... I often think we would all be better served if we read everyone's poems as if they were already canonized, and a well meaning teacher had just given them to us to evaluate But Dr. C ... the poem did appeal to me.:| I liked it a lot! 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...
dr_con Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Whoops! I meant Douglas, who on rereading got-it, but sometimes first response is best;-) Sorry, brain on automatic these days;-) or rather too much going on, and therefore: DC Quote thegateless.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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