Labels

Round the Bend ~ Poetics

James Rainsford Photo

One foot in front of the other. Move. Move. Move.
It's the only way to put distance
between the pain...the pleasure.

Some would think me cowardly.
Yet it is through the darkness of night I race.
Risking the shadows to win the distance.

Head down, focused, one foot...one step.
Never mind who walks beside.
It is but a ghost who will not leave.

It is the me that used to be. 
Tolerance need not mean I accept the circumstances
which has caused division within our ranks.

Still, even in the silence
their voices rise up to demand of me
that which is not mine to give.

Body used, my mind abused. One foot in front of the other.
I will reach the finish post
to finally free myself from my whipping host.

Liquid pools of blackness tempt.
To slip below the silver lining
where the realms are of my own creation.

Move. Move. Move.
For the ghost has risen from the depths
to find her voice, to insist I leap.

One foot in front of the other.
The sound of my steps keeping me anchored
Solid in the now...

Move. Move. Move.

The devilishly talented Mr. James Rainsford is showing off his wares at Poetics
today...and this is just one of the images he has offered up to prompt our muses.
Join us at the pub to partake of wit, wisdom, and some of the best poetry being 
written online. I count myself so very lucky to be able to enjoy the dVersePoets
community...and invite you to visit!

Email Post
Labels:

Comments

Brian Miller said…
you area big part of that community tash...

first, i love traveling at night...when everyone else is asleep and i can make lots of head way...but this brought out a feeling of the underground railroad as well...where they would slip trough the night because it was too dangerous in the light.....and any goal too begins with one step and then another and then another....the sound being the anchor in the solid too is a very great touch...
March 24, 2012 at 4:53 PM
✿ said…
This line was a delightful surprise:

"I will reach the finish post
to finally free myself from my whipping host"
March 24, 2012 at 4:57 PM
Mary said…
I like this, can picture it. A person has to be able to walk through the dark to free himself/herself from whatever ghosts she is trying to outrun. One has to keep moving despite the fear. So much depth in these words!
March 24, 2012 at 4:57 PM
Daydreamertoo said…
I feel the internal struggle. The wish now to be free and also to have that sense of lightness once having cast off the past, each step becomes easier and easier to slip into the stride forward.
Great write Tash!
March 24, 2012 at 5:04 PM
Anonymous said…
"Move. Move. Move.
For the ghost has risen from the depths
to find her voice, to insist I leap.

One foot in front of the other.
The sound of my steps keeping me anchored
Solid in the now...

Move. Move. Move."

Wow tash amazing vision here. I feel you. Solid in the now, out with the past. Breaking those chains to move forward, with confidence. Love these.
March 24, 2012 at 5:15 PM
Anonymous said…
I love the line: "Liquid pools of blackness tempt". I'm attracted too... But regardless you (we) keep moving. Inspiring.
March 24, 2012 at 5:22 PM
Mary B. Mansfield said…
Very eerie feel to this...adds to the tension of the piece. Gotta keep moving forward, once we stop moving we stop living. Loved this!
March 24, 2012 at 5:26 PM
Anonymous said…
I can hear the desperation of wanting to run here and doing not as quickly as the M.C. would hope too.
March 24, 2012 at 5:55 PM
Victoria said…
Nice little snapshot of your own, Tash...of life.
March 24, 2012 at 6:37 PM
emmett wheatfall said…
Move, move, move, and keep moving with your brilliant poetry.
March 24, 2012 at 7:05 PM
Grace said…
I like the movement of one step at a time, not leaping but one solid step anchored in the night ~

Happy spring day ~
March 24, 2012 at 7:26 PM
James Rainsford said…
As I anticipated, a brilliantly perceptive response Natasha. You write with an original and authentic voice and I feel humbled and grateful that my image has prompted such an accomplished poem. Thank you.
March 24, 2012 at 7:43 PM
Anonymous said…
the move move move gives it the texture of not just a song but of a dance

suffocated reflction
March 24, 2012 at 8:05 PM
stu mcp (hate & hope) said…
you pumped this FULL of movement. I love travelling at night, particularly on my on (as loser-ish as that sounds). You really got across here some internal reflections- are you escaping something here? or just simply trying to deal with it by carrying on,and on, and on- so many metaphors I could read into this one
March 24, 2012 at 9:14 PM
Laurie Kolp said…
I love the repitition and the feeling of freedom in the end... make me want to jump up and scream, "You go, girl!"
March 24, 2012 at 9:22 PM
J Cosmo Newbery said…
So true. It can be a struggle at times but one foot at a time is the only way forward.
March 24, 2012 at 10:14 PM
hedgewitch said…
An urgent poem, Tash--you have me wanting to pace around the house now..because there's nothing worse than when something spooky is coming after you and it's yourself. Great sense of mood and of change in this.
March 24, 2012 at 10:30 PM
Anonymous said…
A great write about coming to terms with ourselves and our lives. Your psychological insight is potent.
March 24, 2012 at 10:48 PM
Fireblossom said…
The repeated "move move move" makes this urgent and jangling and a little unnerving, just as I think it is meant to. And yet, after all of that, what lies on the other side could be a something good...all depending on the speaker.

Or, i could be way off in left field! But that's how I read it.
March 24, 2012 at 11:21 PM
Patricia said…
yes... moving forward... one step at a time, no matter how fast.
March 25, 2012 at 12:56 AM
Claudia said…
yep...that's how it's done...One foot in front of the other.... putting distance between the pain and the pleasure...putting distance to the inner and outer world often for me as well...i can think best when i'm moving, anchored in the sound of steps...love this tash..
March 25, 2012 at 7:24 AM
Beachanny said…
My read is that the runner has anchors and loves them, but simultaneously yearns for freedom if only to think clearly, to get one's own philosophy straight without being bombarded by the noise in every other head, be it media, friends, church or family. Running alone clears the rubbish, crystallizes the important and prioritizes the necessary. Well done.
March 25, 2012 at 4:56 PM
✿ said…
Are you going to write for me this week, Tash?

http://rosemarymint.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/monday-melting-week-10/
March 26, 2012 at 2:54 PM
Unknown said…
really cool Tash. Love the direction you took this image prompt, love the tone and rhythm here, definitely a cool atmosphere on display. Thanks
March 26, 2012 at 8:16 PM
Post a Comment

Popular Posts