Thursday, August 03, 2006

Indelible Flames

I know so little
about this art of words,
like a child playing with matches,
I spark and smoke, and
set tiny pieces of paper on fire.
Read, read
write, write
flash of fire…
burnt stick smoldering.
I want to set a house ablaze,
watch meaty black-smoke fists
bruise the baby-blue-face of sky.
Sirens shrieking,
bells dinging,
neighbors in semi-circle,
wide-eyed clutches,
searing their nostrils
with indelible flames.

28 comments:

MB said...

I love this.

J.B. Rowell said...

Fabulous - I often feel like I'm playing with stones when I write down words: arranging, rubbing together for friction, sparks.

Anonymous said...

The pyromaniac of poetry?? :)

Osquer said...

Hey, Pat, got a light? I'll say you do with this one! Burn, baby, burn!

Neoma said...

I understand this feeling, we don't merely want to write something, we want to set the world on fire....so that long after we are gone, you can still see our smoke, and feel the heat.

Neetee said...

This is so touching and strong and so right on. I LOVE this pat!!

polona said...

pyromaniac was the word that first came tomy mind... :)
but i can relate... and this one burns!

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said...

"Smokin'! Somebody call the fire department."

Margie said...

Wow!
That was so very good!
But, you do know so very much
about "this art of words"
Your poetry is Smokin' ... as don said.

Joyce said...

Very nice description of the art of writing!

Joyce said...

Very nice description of the art of writing!

Joyce said...

Ooops!

The Site Administrator said...

"I know so little about this art of words ... " -- such sweet, sweet irony.

Masago said...

LOL...an accurate description of yourself, eh? :-) Love this one.

Medusa aka expiringpoet said...

Yup, this is hot alrite!

dumbdodi said...

Not much to add to what has already been said. Simply loved it

Russell Ragsdale said...

Sparks of passion to bring the house down! It aches, this wanting to do this well, a burning pain.

Cathy said...

Another great one.

Kai said...

good one

Pat Paulk said...

Thank you MB!!

Thank you Julia!! Love that description. Last few days I've had wet stones.

AA, one has to get fire somewhere in life.

Thank you Osquer!!

Nea, our own little unique voice in the multitudes!!

QNT, thank you!!

Thank you, Polona!!

Thanks Don!!

Margie, the more I read the more the void of my knowledge becomes apparent. Thank you!!

Joyce, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Ah, Karasu, ironically truthful!!

Vaughn, very accurate!! Well I don't play with matches, since...never mind.

Medusa, glad you think so!!

Dumbdodi, your add was perfect, thank you!!

A short order fry cook pretending to be a chef. Thanks Russell!!

Thank you Cathy!!

Thanks Kai!!

whitney said...

"watch meaty black-smoke fists
bruise the baby-blue-face of sky."

wonderful, Pat.

dsnake1 said...

hey Pat,
i'm glad you played with fire!

J. Andrew Lockhart said...

I still love this one!

Plus Ultra said...

"meaty black-smoke fists bruise the baby-blue-face of sky"...you really have imagery that surprises, like turning a corner in my home town Kluang and seeing you in the flesh...

Anonymous said...

We're all learning.
"I want to set a house ablaze." Yes, great description of the desired effect of our words.
P.S. I think you know quite more than "a little!" Good imagery

Anonymous said...

Nicely expressed.

floots said...

well put
when the flames are right
it's all worthwhile

Pat Paulk said...

Thank you Whitney!!

Thank you Dsnake!!

Thanks Andrew!!

Plus, if you see me in the flesh would you ship me back? I hate it when I get lost like that. Thank you!!

Silvermoon thank you!! I'm going to add you to my links, that way I'll come by on my daily rounds.

Thank you Mandy!!

Thanks Floots!!