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john-cleland
john-cleland
American I have begun to experiment with contemporary poetry, and my poetry ranges from dark and gloomy, to upbeat and full of joy.
Night Thrill Opened eyes see unseen things, different worlds revealed all at once, can’t you hear them? Coming to life with ease, breathing and living just as anything else. The trees begin their dance, flailing their arms, leaves falling to the ground, patterns making stars, snowflakes, simple beauty. Walking through the hollowed buildings, silent and empty in the lull of the night, only soft cries and yells can be heard as the beasts run wild. In an amphitheater, vast and desolate darkness captures the hardwood floors and renders all life from the place, moments from collapsing. Footsteps across the dusty stage, squeaks and creaks heard as the curtain rises, a rusted chair decays on the surface, the once living prop, struck from its glory. A strong gust begins swirling, rushing over the cracked floorboards, bringing the stage to life under the feet of a Shakespearian player. The scene is set and not a moment too late, a motley audience of demons and ghouls, witness the defining moment, a humble servant of the stage relinquishes mortal form and ascends.
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Apr 28, 2012
Apr 28, 2012 at 9:37 PM UTC
Night Thrill
Self-Medication Idea #13 Confidence is writing without purpose, letting words form their own sentences – no direction but down the page.
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Apr 28, 2012
Apr 28, 2012 at 9:36 PM UTC
Self-Medication Idea #13
Lucky Bug Black polka dots – on a vibrant red wing. Six silent footsteps – clutching to the ceiling, daredevil wearing a smile. A single false step – wings spread; always prepared to skydive. Tranquil buzz in your ear; noise translated to ethereal music - whispers of joy. Gently landing on your shoulder – the paratrooper hits its mark without fail. Lady Luck presents herself, calm in nature - magical when seen. Uncommon blessings - found on the edge of a leaf, the corner of your eye.
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Apr 28, 2012
Apr 28, 2012 at 9:34 PM UTC
Lucky Bug
Arachne’s Shadow Silver spindles manifest, each one unique; artistry at the tip of eight long fingers--crafted carefully to catch curious creatures; trapped by the allure of Circe’s web of lies. Glistening and bright from distances, yet dead upon impact; sticky, dull. A corner, so decorated with cobwebs and dust; Arachne spins her loom in the dark, a room, that is used seldom, with the exception of the dinner show; always on time, 8 o’clock sharp. Witness the cunning I lack, benevolence she disregards; a fly—simple in intelligence, but chaotic when trapped in a small room; nuisances that need dealing with. Once caught, the struggling ignorant victim chokes on mistakes of days past, cheating on a test, beating the ******* boy; observed errors of judgment, punishable by death. Every victim is different, but each is caught screaming, praying, gasping for life, only to be muffled, hushed, stifled; No remorse during mealtime.
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Apr 28, 2012
Apr 28, 2012 at 9:32 PM UTC
Arachne's Shadow
Squished Flies I squished a fly once, with a huge, what’s that word— swatter. Its guts got stuck to the wall, a wing or a limb poking through the holes of my utensil. No more buzzing, no more tapping— soft tapping on my window, and certainly no more flapping wings; I picked those off the swatter—flicked them into the air, nope, they don’t work anymore. Moment of silence as I scrape the entrails away (gross), they don’t smell; but why does puke green ooze from their wounds – radio-active waste eating flies, soon to be larger than skyscrapers, wing-span—covering the skyline. Hovering in front of the sun; taking subtle revenge for lost family members, past transgressions where – the once dominant species – set fire to each limb and base of the wings; shriveling appendages and the smell of burnt matches. I should start building a really ginormous fly swatter.
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Apr 28, 2012
Apr 28, 2012 at 9:32 PM UTC
Squished Flies
Street Shower I hope this bus doesn’t crash; rain greases the tires like WD-40 puddles on a rusted door hinge, an accident looming with every late brake. Relaxing in a chair eyes flicker shut, screeches from tires echo on crunching metal, glass collapses on the rough gray asphalt, scatters amongst every seat; a collage of red droplets and pink scabs on my forearm. As I pick the shards that nicked my bones and scooped my marrow, I notice the empty seats; garnet cushions stained scarlet, taste of iron on my tongue; petrified looks on several wan faces, though their eyes look almost lonely, seeming to yearn, maybe a goodbye, or another breath to scream for help; lump in the throat can’t be gulped away, choke on engine fumes as I stumble out the front window, staring back at what is now a Dali painting; melting frames welded to the ground. I fix my wrinkled shirt, pull up the shreds of my pant legs, and I look into the shadow filled sky; rain washes over me, maroon puddles at my ankles.
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Apr 28, 2012
Apr 28, 2012 at 9:28 PM UTC
Street Shower