of the bag
of some shit I used to like,
I realize
I'm bored,
and don't want it anymore.
It's like
when I was mad for what's-her-name
or
mad to be what's-her-name
and the tide
was mad to go
first to
then fro.
What a waste of time.
So here
are my
seventy-five million poems
that lifted,
shifted,
expressed the flesh around these bones.
But today
I may
get up and walk right through the wall
and the me I leave behind
is just a stupid staring doll.
At the bottom
of this bag
is some shit I used to like.
Can you dig
can you see
the fish there riding on its bike?
in a lather
in a circle
with miles to go before it sleeps?
_________
for Sunday Muse # 105.
art by Samy Charnine.
ReplyDeleteSounding a bit depressed. Better days are coming!
Not really, Bev, though I get how it might sound that way. It's just about how things that seem mightily wonderful and important one day, may at some point not seem worth the candle, replaced by a new perspective.
ReplyDeleteI so get that. I look back at all the angst I spent my youth on, and am relieved I reached the point where I just didnt want to suffer any more. I love the fish/bicycle reference. I remember that - a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle. Smiles. Love your title, too. And especially "So here are my seventy-five thousand million poems". I am grateful for having the privilege of reading so many of them.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Frost-y ending. I wish I would get to the bottom of a bag and no longer like something.
ReplyDeletePeople? That's another story...
If we all still saw the world and liked the same things we did in our youth then we would not have grown or progressed at all. Love your amazing and creative perspective Shay! You always put me in awe! 🤩
ReplyDeleteOMG how much do I love this? ~~ impossible to count the ways!!!
ReplyDeletethe very matter-of-fact tone belies the depth of what is being said, I think. This resonated for me as well, looking back on all the follies in my own bag. You know I hate to quote but this "...It's like/when I was mad for what's-her-name/or I was/mad to be what's-her-name/and the tide/was mad to go/first to/then fro.." You've written more sparkly poems, but I doubt you've written too many more honest ones than this. Fine work, Shay.
ReplyDelete"and the tide
ReplyDeletewas mad to go
first to
then fro
what a fucking waste of time." That's great. Let's get honest about the waves and the sea. Yet that topspin English you put on the ball -- "tide was mad to go" betides a love of the game. Great play on the circle, and Frost as useful as a fish on a bicycle. Except of course we're poets, so we love that shit. Until we're sick of it.
For some reason made me think of this. Because Shay *loves* Haiku! I christen this a "Texas Haiku", like Texas chili or such.
ReplyDeleteForest Stills
Quiet sensing wind
.22 Longs for season –
Waiting for the fall
Qbit, you are evil! LOL! But the "Texas" part makes it good. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI have reworked this poem a bit, with the expert assistance of my BFF Hedgewitch, who reads Agatha Christie while I struggle through The Pokey Little Puppy. Thanks, dear.
Smoothed out. Nice.
ReplyDeletecan you see
ReplyDeletethe fish there riding on its bike?
in a lather in a circle
with miles to go before it sleeps?
Yes, There is so much to savor in life despite some distractions along the way.
Hank
There's a part of me that loves this and a part that just doesn't want to think about the cleaning out of old things (too much of an emotional pack rat).
ReplyDeleteIt's strange how during this time of confinement I realized I have too much crap. I think material things aren't so important anymore, I just want to run barefoot on the beach near the sea and take in the salt water breeze.
ReplyDeleteShay--Your mention of "The Poky Little Puppy" made me think of this activity. If you have not read "Battle Bunny"--a funny remake of a Little Golden Book, here is the pdf:
ReplyDeletehttps://rinconhistory.weebly.com/uploads/5/4/5/7/54577027/battle_bunny_pdf.pdf
I've had teachers take a Little Golden Book and change the text (and alter the pictures) into something dark...something funny. You might enjoy doing that. It's a great exercise that reminds us how powerful revision is...
I'm digging through my used to be..see..like..care about in some spring cleaning. Nothing like being stopped by a pandemic to give you time to think. Love your take on the image!
ReplyDeleteLove it, the tone, the used-to-be-selves, the fish on bikes, and Mr. Frost.
ReplyDelete... I put up a 2nd poem over on TSM. Think you will enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYes!
ReplyDelete"and the tide
was mad to go
first to
then fro.
What a waste of time."
Mad! and now we see it, and must MUST break free. I trust some of the poetry will cling, I trust the old bag of tricks will be left behind. The remaining miles will not be boring.
This is so clever. Fishing at the bottom of the bag, and finding all the crap you don’t need. Love the ending.
ReplyDelete