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| Poets's Sleep by Chang Hong Ahn, 1989 |
empty skulls bleaching in the sun.
Hollow sockets, gaping jaws;
I sleep on,
dreaming, dreaming.
Their spirits try to wake me by throwing pebbles,
shattering the windows and lining the sill.
Like stones on grave markers;
they whisper,
don't forget, don't forget.
When I die they shall crowd around me,
holding me accountable for their premature expulsion.
Howling voices, accusing eyes;
didn't you know,
We could have lived, we could have lived.
Mag 208
Copyright © 2014 SK Waller
You wrote of your greatest fear as a writer. I know you too well.
ReplyDeleteShirrup.
ReplyDelete;)
:p
DeleteI've long held the idea that some day, when I pass, I shall meet all of my fictional characters--those whom I developed and those I tossed aside--and will have a lot of s'plaining to do! A couple of years back I read that author Neil Gaiman has spoken of this very thing. It was enough to make me find his blog and subscribe. Now I just love him in his own right.
DeleteWonderfully written.
ReplyDeleteSkilled, and, to be truthful, quite a bit marvelous...
ReplyDeleteWow. Thanks so much.
DeleteWe could have lived, we could have lived . . . oh yes.
ReplyDeleteIt touches me in a very deep and hidden place. I'm happy it touched you, too.
DeleteWow! I love this, SK. Yes, they're all screaming, vying for positions, clamoring to be born. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI humbly bow. Your opinion matters to me.
DeleteFor some reason Rob Dougans "Left Me For Dead " from the Furious Angels album came to mind when i read these very neceomantic words ....cheers
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I have no need to create characters in order to write my poems! :-)
ReplyDeleteNeither do I. I was writing about my fictional characters in my books. Poetry comes from, and is about myself, my feelings, and my intimate thoughts.
DeletePerfect, this is so completely in touch, with our lovely magpie today!
ReplyDeleteIntense! And perfect tribute to those skulls!
ReplyDeleteI love this, it says it so well.
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone. For stopping by and for taking the time to leave your comment. Really, it means so much!
ReplyDeleteVery creative, you creatrix you...
ReplyDeleteAnd you will have to answer them, those unborn characters............. how will you tell them that there was a reason you left them right there? A tremendously special write.
ReplyDelete