"effluvia" poems - Hello Poetry

complexity is your beauty simplicity your mystery interdependence sustains you once upon a time we dipped bowls into your waters and brought up draughts of life now Skipjacks go fathoms deep into endless depletion charting entangled dead zones broadening into a sea of inertness your delicate eco-essence tips toward oblivion effluvia farmers layer mechanized blankets of nitrates on your sunset shores weaving green tendrils of algae blooms strangling the entanglements of all links in your miraculous food chain the EPA proscribes a Jenny Craig pollution diet to halt the slaughter in oxygen challenged dead zones where rockfish are garroted, oysters get drilled by screwworms and azure tinted soft shell ***** dance soft shoe taps lifting a tinny chorus of sad Piedmont Blues the flat-lining watersheds voiceless warnings tremble rocking the purged nests of screaming ospreys in vocal protest of a sinking Tangier Isle anointing it’s tombstones of unvisited cemeteries with multicolored guano fitting alkaline tributes to the lost inhabitants and forgotten languages sinking into the brine of gray brackish tides Delmarva’s fine intra-continental balance skewed by the oozing industrial swill of Frank Perdue chicken farms ruling the roost of sanctioned sustainability tinging clear watersheds of finger lakes set in splints to repair dislocations and complex compound fractures that may never heal again Music Selection: Taj Mahal: Fishin Blues jbm Oakland 6/7/12

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Feb 19, 2013

Feb 19, 2013 at 8:36 AM UTC

james-bradley-mccallum

Chesapeake

complexity is your beauty simplicity your mystery interdependence sustains you once upon a time we dipped bowls into your waters and brought up draughts of life now Skipjacks go fathoms deep into endless depletion charting entangled dead zones broadening into a sea of inertness your delicate eco-essence tips toward oblivion effluvia farmers layer mechanized blankets of nitrates on your sunset shores weaving green tendrils of algae blooms strangling the entanglements of all links in your miraculous food chain the EPA proscribes a Jenny Craig pollution diet to halt the slaughter in oxygen challenged dead zones where rockfish are garroted, oysters get drilled by screwworms and azure tinted soft shell ***** dance soft shoe taps lifting a tinny chorus of sad Piedmont Blues the flat-lining watersheds voiceless warnings tremble rocking the purged nests of screaming ospreys in vocal protest of a sinking Tangier Isle anointing it’s tombstones of unvisited cemeteries with multicolored guano fitting alkaline tributes to the lost inhabitants and forgotten languages sinking into the brine of gray brackish tides Delmarva’s fine intra-continental balance skewed by the oozing industrial swill of Frank Perdue chicken farms ruling the roost of sanctioned sustainability tinging clear watersheds of finger lakes set in splints to repair dislocations and complex compound fractures that may never heal again Music Selection: Taj Mahal: Fishin Blues jbm Oakland 6/7/12

107

There are no handles upon a language Whereby men take hold of it And mark it with signs for its remembrance. It is a river, this language, Once in a thousand years Breaking a new course Changing its way to the ocean. It is mountain effluvia Moving to valleys And from nation to nation Crossing borders and mixing. Languages die like rivers. Words wrapped round your tongue today And broken to shape of thought Between your teeth and lips speaking Now and today Shall be faded hieroglyphics Ten thousand years from now. Sing--and singing--remember Your song dies and changes And is not here to-morrow Any more than the wind Blowing ten thousand years ago.

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2.4k

Carl Sandburg

Languages

There are no handles upon a language Whereby men take hold of it And mark it with signs for its remembrance. It is a river, this language, Once in a thousand years Breaking a new course Changing its way to the ocean. It is mountain effluvia Moving to valleys And from nation to nation Crossing borders and mixing. Languages die like rivers. Words wrapped round your tongue today And broken to shape of thought Between your teeth and lips speaking Now and today Shall be faded hieroglyphics Ten thousand years from now. Sing--and singing--remember Your song dies and changes And is not here to-morrow Any more than the wind Blowing ten thousand years ago.

23

*common chilling sights-- i see humanity ungranted ice nucleators-- mutual lives underground buffered dots of heat Jupiter winds glow revivals there and then -- red swirls of lust twelve conquests past all creatures skyclad in that loose zodiac belt unconditional dark solstice deepest love festive thanks at dread allayed-- more roasted birds . the same sun, snowflake years uniquely melt . still Fall-ripe, matunda ya Kwanza nourish unity . only a nick, the green knight forgives saint sir Gawain . winter thin Shakyamuni trees entangle star rays . Dōngzhì recurs-- tangyuan and dumpling soup warm ears and hearts . Lucy brightens Advent's tidal frost sugar powder blind . strong eyelids-- holy corpses smile again . endyear eyelids pull open -- Summer's chain emails . i nightgaze here too-- Yalda Shab brightens birth night vermillion sweet eve . gelt to gifts-- sacred lights remembrance wonders burning yet . obstacles embraced powdered elephant dance ancient clouds of lore . of country dwellers gifted greatest gifts-- pentacles outshine . hot planets glint subtle light unseen and far -- night sky snow transaeonic squint textured sense illumes vast space light trails interweave evergreen bird womb coos beyond my porch-- fireplace ignites Februa nears-- thermals gather itch for one last indulgence Hubble vision melds an interspecies lens-- "home" descends anew integral trust-- grapes freeze by vintner's paths of future sweetness moss between toes Spring ooze effluvia giddy spine sky high*

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Dec 12, 2012

Dec 12, 2012 at 11:59 PM UTC

vircapio-gale

haiku holarchy

*common chilling sights-- i see humanity ungranted ice nucleators-- mutual lives underground buffered dots of heat Jupiter winds glow revivals there and then -- red swirls of lust twelve conquests past all creatures skyclad in that loose zodiac belt unconditional dark solstice deepest love festive thanks at dread allayed-- more roasted birds . the same sun, snowflake years uniquely melt . still Fall-ripe, matunda ya Kwanza nourish unity . only a nick, the green knight forgives saint sir Gawain . winter thin Shakyamuni trees entangle star rays . Dōngzhì recurs-- tangyuan and dumpling soup warm ears and hearts . Lucy brightens Advent's tidal frost sugar powder blind . strong eyelids-- holy corpses smile again . endyear eyelids pull open -- Summer's chain emails . i nightgaze here too-- Yalda Shab brightens birth night vermillion sweet eve . gelt to gifts-- sacred lights remembrance wonders burning yet . obstacles embraced powdered elephant dance ancient clouds of lore . of country dwellers gifted greatest gifts-- pentacles outshine . hot planets glint subtle light unseen and far -- night sky snow transaeonic squint textured sense illumes vast space light trails interweave evergreen bird womb coos beyond my porch-- fireplace ignites Februa nears-- thermals gather itch for one last indulgence Hubble vision melds an interspecies lens-- "home" descends anew integral trust-- grapes freeze by vintner's paths of future sweetness moss between toes Spring ooze effluvia giddy spine sky high*

88

Alex 2 breathes, stacks and unstacks papers, distantly Alex 1, front cubicle, coughs, clicks his mouse Eddie pulls out his drawer, pushes it back in, clicks his mouse Alex 2, yes two Alex's, saunters up to the coffee machine Alex 1, head down, clacking his keyboard Mouse clicks, keyboard clicks, electricity Monitors glow, fluorescents never flicker Alex 1 opens a new file, two clicks of the mouse Eddie sips his coffee, puts it down, clicks New folder, new file, new data Data entry, spreadsheets Alex 1 asks did you get the email Alex 2 has his coffee, his white shirt, under the fluorescents Statics noise, static, mouse clicks, keyboard Every new click, new file, new data, new folder Data in, data out, file, click, the static electronics Alex 2 clicks, files, new folder, new deal, new data Eddie clears his throat, softly, the static noise, flickers, Every new love story is a tragedy Alex 2 opens a new folder, inputs data, spreadsheets Numbers in, Eddie clicks his mouse twice rapidly Stale effluvia coffee, static noise, electric light Alex 1 sniffles, clears his throat, the clock ticks softly Eddie opens a new file, the electric screen reflects his fixed eyes Alex 2 sips his coffee, opens a file, clicks, keyboard clacks Stasis, complete stasis, electricity, nodes, linear graphs Numbers input, data, new file, file transfer Every old tragedy is a ghost story Alex 2 sips his coffee, breathes, clears his throat, data Spreadsheets, monitors, electricity, static, data input, output Every ghost story is infinite Alex 1 gets up for a new coffee Eddie inputs data, spreadsheet, file, new folder Electric lights, stasis, data, file, click, file, input exp..

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Oct 18, 2020

Oct 18, 2020 at 10:21 PM UTC

tyrrell427

Subtexts of Monday

Alex 2 breathes, stacks and unstacks papers, distantly Alex 1, front cubicle, coughs, clicks his mouse Eddie pulls out his drawer, pushes it back in, clicks his mouse Alex 2, yes two Alex's, saunters up to the coffee machine Alex 1, head down, clacking his keyboard Mouse clicks, keyboard clicks, electricity Monitors glow, fluorescents never flicker Alex 1 opens a new file, two clicks of the mouse Eddie sips his coffee, puts it down, clicks New folder, new file, new data Data entry, spreadsheets Alex 1 asks did you get the email Alex 2 has his coffee, his white shirt, under the fluorescents Statics noise, static, mouse clicks, keyboard Every new click, new file, new data, new folder Data in, data out, file, click, the static electronics Alex 2 clicks, files, new folder, new deal, new data Eddie clears his throat, softly, the static noise, flickers, Every new love story is a tragedy Alex 2 opens a new folder, inputs data, spreadsheets Numbers in, Eddie clicks his mouse twice rapidly Stale effluvia coffee, static noise, electric light Alex 1 sniffles, clears his throat, the clock ticks softly Eddie opens a new file, the electric screen reflects his fixed eyes Alex 2 sips his coffee, opens a file, clicks, keyboard clacks Stasis, complete stasis, electricity, nodes, linear graphs Numbers input, data, new file, file transfer Every old tragedy is a ghost story Alex 2 sips his coffee, breathes, clears his throat, data Spreadsheets, monitors, electricity, static, data input, output Every ghost story is infinite Alex 1 gets up for a new coffee Eddie inputs data, spreadsheet, file, new folder Electric lights, stasis, data, file, click, file, input exp..

34

time does not heal, and love does not conquer all though many of you would feel cozy and comforted by such knotted notions time’s honored contract with chemistry gives us but rust, and dust words roll off our tongues into the air, for unsuspecting ears perhaps to allay our deepest fears that we end as ***** of dung effluvia from noble maggots the last gasped gasses from creatures without the fear of failure or the ken of death

0

Dec 19, 2013

Dec 19, 2013 at 9:29 PM UTC

spysgrandson

rust and ****

time does not heal, and love does not conquer all though many of you would feel cozy and comforted by such knotted notions time’s honored contract with chemistry gives us but rust, and dust words roll off our tongues into the air, for unsuspecting ears perhaps to allay our deepest fears that we end as ***** of dung effluvia from noble maggots the last gasped gasses from creatures without the fear of failure or the ken of death

15

Big Red Empty But not for long Socks Rapidly shot in Just like a basketball at the buzzer Boxers next Shoved and forgotten Undershirts crisp and white Blanket the bottom like snow Colorful shirts Folded and at attention Mimick a soldier at ready Are deployed in The warzone Long pants Almost forgotten But, not quite Athletic shorts Scrunched up Ready to jump at a moments notice Swim shorts are strewn over As a makeshift barricade between Regular and Fancy Comfortable Collared shirts Zip Unzip Another pocket IN go phone chargers! IN goes computer charger! IN goes deck of cards! As fast as the eye can see Zip Clip on The black bag of magic Toothbrushes Toothpaste Dental floss Retainer case Last but not least The most holy of holies Deodorant is Gingerly, gently slid into place All Effluvia of The Travelers Trade Zip closed

0

Jun 26, 2013

Jun 26, 2013 at 12:29 PM UTC

steven-fried

Effluvia of the travelers trade

Big Red Empty But not for long Socks Rapidly shot in Just like a basketball at the buzzer Boxers next Shoved and forgotten Undershirts crisp and white Blanket the bottom like snow Colorful shirts Folded and at attention Mimick a soldier at ready Are deployed in The warzone Long pants Almost forgotten But, not quite Athletic shorts Scrunched up Ready to jump at a moments notice Swim shorts are strewn over As a makeshift barricade between Regular and Fancy Comfortable Collared shirts Zip Unzip Another pocket IN go phone chargers! IN goes computer charger! IN goes deck of cards! As fast as the eye can see Zip Clip on The black bag of magic Toothbrushes Toothpaste Dental floss Retainer case Last but not least The most holy of holies Deodorant is Gingerly, gently slid into place All Effluvia of The Travelers Trade Zip closed

48

what happens to an effluvium held in? does it seep through minuscule pores in the skin? or does it skulk out like the phrase, "silent but deadly"? does it stink like choking sulfur mined? or does just hang close to one’s behind? perhaps it leaves a telltale mark and even causes your dog to bark does it tell the smeller’s olfactory something revealing about thee? or are effluvia all about the same whether ‘tis prince or pauper to blame? alas, all we hominids produce several pounds of the aromatic elixir each day making it fairly safe to say that holding it in would be a ****** crime and cutting a big one hardly makes one less sublime

0

Aug 12, 2012

Aug 12, 2012 at 11:28 PM UTC

spysgrandson

Harlem...and all the rest of the world

what happens to an effluvium held in? does it seep through minuscule pores in the skin? or does it skulk out like the phrase, "silent but deadly"? does it stink like choking sulfur mined? or does just hang close to one’s behind? perhaps it leaves a telltale mark and even causes your dog to bark does it tell the smeller’s olfactory something revealing about thee? or are effluvia all about the same whether ‘tis prince or pauper to blame? alas, all we hominids produce several pounds of the aromatic elixir each day making it fairly safe to say that holding it in would be a ****** crime and cutting a big one hardly makes one less sublime

16

the night begins to dress the earth as i kneel beside the windowsill watching the stars, the only part of the world left unchanged. and i listen to you breathe, your sighs soft like an autumn day. the nape of your neck curves like a crane dusted with wanderlust, its wings unfolded toward the moon. the way your legs tangle around your idea of a perfect girl makes me sink to the floor, draping my arms around my legs. i stare down at my kneecaps, one an oval, the other a full moon – you would’ve called this imperfection. but i kneel beside the windowsill searching for train tracks and airplanes that’ll lead you home because even though you tore me apart, i need to know that when i set you free you’ll be going someplace better. and the moon will sigh at the sight of two not-quite lovers parting, but i forgive you. i forgive you for dreaming of prettier green eyes and softer skin and telling me i would never be good enough. because after i stitch myself back together i’ll be strong enough to move the stars closer to the windowsill with my eyes and stop the effluvia of tears that’ll pour from my soul every time i think of you, breathing.

0

Dec 5, 2010

Dec 5, 2010 at 10:50 AM UTC

rachelle-bromley

and the moon will sigh

the night begins to dress the earth as i kneel beside the windowsill watching the stars, the only part of the world left unchanged. and i listen to you breathe, your sighs soft like an autumn day. the nape of your neck curves like a crane dusted with wanderlust, its wings unfolded toward the moon. the way your legs tangle around your idea of a perfect girl makes me sink to the floor, draping my arms around my legs. i stare down at my kneecaps, one an oval, the other a full moon – you would’ve called this imperfection. but i kneel beside the windowsill searching for train tracks and airplanes that’ll lead you home because even though you tore me apart, i need to know that when i set you free you’ll be going someplace better. and the moon will sigh at the sight of two not-quite lovers parting, but i forgive you. i forgive you for dreaming of prettier green eyes and softer skin and telling me i would never be good enough. because after i stitch myself back together i’ll be strong enough to move the stars closer to the windowsill with my eyes and stop the effluvia of tears that’ll pour from my soul every time i think of you, breathing.

36