deepundergroundpoetry.com
space storms and microwave ovens
i
lonesome and awake
watching the lighthouse swing
beams scanning cowards
through bedroom windows
foreboding dawn of a red planet
universe of hopeless
escapades to the electric sun
and hollow moon
counting on heavens
to shine down from barren space
what falls beyond the horizon is a distraction
untold stories from the dead
replay eternal tragedies
time bent over the afterlife
ii
boys grow up too fast to be called men
no kisses for mum
broken rib for dad
parents too stubborn to let go
whippersnappers
too gutless to break free
fear of mortality
suppressed
one day you won't be there to protect them
this vulnerability
cuts deep into the fourth dimension
blame mother
the tighter her grip
the more he resists her umbilical crusade
tripwires of calamity
trigger thistledown regrets
personal hell is a microwave oven
cooking you from the inside
boiling molecules of so called happiness
oblivious to the pain
refrain
plates shatter
weight slams into the ground
there is no detour round human implosion
you cave in
every time you drive past the cross
where your son died alone
cradled in iron dust beside a burning wreck
iii
after the storm
the draconian river flows swiftly
past the breakwall
across the bar
into the benevolent sea
creeks and rivers cleanse the hinterland
broken trees carved by stone and sand
float down like carcasses in floodwater
washed up
onshore
the estuarine journey ends
in twisted wood piles along the dune line
awaiting burial
sandblasted by the wind
bound by tender roots of overgrowth
i comb the beach for treasure
and wonder what to make from this
fragile cycle of life and decay
after the storm
big bad barry hangs from the wall
driftwood shaped by ancient instinct
and sea monster myths lurking within
iv
what do you see
in dreams
inner cubes
in your succubus
of cigarettes and blowjobs
what do you see in a fat man
with dead blue feet
getting heart massaged in the street
life steps over his half naked body
before paramedics slowly roll away
emergency waste
scatters in the wake
what
do
you
perceive
in the self
i smell like tadpoles
ciphered symbols
spawn of mercurial light
calluses tear from my grip
deadlifting
the mass of my shadows
oblivious to the pain
refrain
plates shatter
weight slams into the ground
Published 24th Nov 2018
| Edited 25th Nov 2018
Author's Note
My apologies for the length... four [unfinished] poems blended into one.
The sculpture that features in the video poem is titled: "Big Bad Barry", which I created from driftwood I found on the beach one Sunday afternoon. The video footage of the beach and piles of driftwood were also filmed the same day the pieces of the sculpture were gathered from the beach.
The sculpture that features in the video poem is titled: "Big Bad Barry", which I created from driftwood I found on the beach one Sunday afternoon. The video footage of the beach and piles of driftwood were also filmed the same day the pieces of the sculpture were gathered from the beach.
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 18
reading list entries 7
comments 16
reads 1259
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
Anonymous
24th Nov 2018 8:49am
I've only just woken. Need to re-visit this once my mind is alert. You are a compelling writer.
9th Jan 2020 9:05pm
Thank you, I do my best to compel people when they least expect it... like replying to a comment months later.
26th Nov 2018 1:20pm
Alexander, first off... what a beautiful sculpture!
I needed a few reads to be able to comment, it's such a profound piece... a bit haunting too. Definitely not too long, but that could be because it comes in four parts (I have lots of unfinished poems, but I could never blend them together so beautifully) The repetition of that "oblivious to the pain" stanza works really well. Same goes for the question style of the last part.
Said it before and I say it again: your voice (and the videos) adds so much depth to your work.
I needed a few reads to be able to comment, it's such a profound piece... a bit haunting too. Definitely not too long, but that could be because it comes in four parts (I have lots of unfinished poems, but I could never blend them together so beautifully) The repetition of that "oblivious to the pain" stanza works really well. Same goes for the question style of the last part.
Said it before and I say it again: your voice (and the videos) adds so much depth to your work.
9th Jan 2020 9:12pm
Heh, a sculpture of words and a voice that can make unfinished poems sound good. I'm amused because these words plagued me for months and I couldn't finish the poem without using force. I always enjoy your feedback. Much respect, thank you... and sorry I didn't reply to your comment last year... happy new year btw!
29th Nov 2018 4:47am
It's a cosmic work of art, you're quite the producer, the ending gave me chills, it just enhanced the whole thing which was amazing, music reminds me of Nine Inch Nails..
It was excellent to read, then I watched the video and it just came to life, I like how you left it open to interpretation with subtlety, love your accent too :)
It was excellent to read, then I watched the video and it just came to life, I like how you left it open to interpretation with subtlety, love your accent too :)
9th Jan 2020 9:14pm
5th Dec 2018 1:48pm
Love it here and at YouTube! Do you want to be featured with this poem on my YouTube channel?
5th Dec 2018 7:19pm
Well, thank you for the bilateral love. And thank you for your invitation to feature this colossal mess of poetry on your channel. I I agree, on one condition. We partake in the following spoken word ritual:
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/groups/loud-speaker-poetry/discussion/15/
And if you're so kind and crazy enough to read one of mine, I'll respectfully read one of yours.
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/groups/loud-speaker-poetry/discussion/15/
And if you're so kind and crazy enough to read one of mine, I'll respectfully read one of yours.
5th Dec 2018 11:02pm
I accept your terms. I would love to hear you read this poem, if I'm supposed to pick mine out for you.
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/296807-the-blackened-veil/
Either that or,
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/296363-heavens-weeping-stars/
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/296807-the-blackened-veil/
Either that or,
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/296363-heavens-weeping-stars/
6th Dec 2018 7:24pm
Deal!
My suggestion for you:
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/195328-the-art-of-not-giving-a-fuck/
...but you can make your own choice.
My suggestion for you:
https://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/195328-the-art-of-not-giving-a-fuck/
...but you can make your own choice.
5th Dec 2018 6:14pm
The first vision that came to mind when I saw the wood, was "the bones of nature washed up from the sea"
(i) is my favourite, because it would be. All is fabulous of course and the audio video creation always exceptional.
I only came back because you came for a visit. ;)
(i) is my favourite, because it would be. All is fabulous of course and the audio video creation always exceptional.
I only came back because you came for a visit. ;)
Bones of nature washed up from the sea... now that is poetic visionary.
The lighthouse scene is a recollection from my childhood holidaying at Hyams Beach Jervis Bay. A little boy afraid of what lurked in the shadows fascinated by the haunting lighthouse flashing across the bay.
I'm honoured and very grateful you came back from out of beautiful nowhere to share your inspiring words.
The lighthouse scene is a recollection from my childhood holidaying at Hyams Beach Jervis Bay. A little boy afraid of what lurked in the shadows fascinated by the haunting lighthouse flashing across the bay.
I'm honoured and very grateful you came back from out of beautiful nowhere to share your inspiring words.
17th Feb 2019 2:53am
9th Jan 2020 9:01pm
Anonymous
15th Mar 2019 12:43pm
A storyteller you are. Listening to it made the flow of the words, of the story easier for me. What goes on in your head must be very interesting.
9th Jan 2020 9:03pm
There's a lot going on in this poem... a lot of thought... a lot of meaning... I'm still trying to get my head around it. Thank you for the feedback.
