deepundergroundpoetry.com
The Light From Lu Bu's Bridge
Come meet me at the pillars
of Lu Bu's bridge, at dusk.
Through, and although, the crowd.
I will be distinguished,
by a torch held high.
A beacon for you, as unchanging
as it was once then.
During the expanse
of our separate journeys,
I met Father Time.
He called me up
several more steps
of his creaking porch.
Although I stepped back once,
perhaps twice, telling him
not that many just yet.
He said 'Then change'.
So I've traded my armor
for a mule.
My arrows are quivered.
A plow stains my shoulders now
with bleeding browns
and bleached salt.
I hunted but once last month
and all I found was the smoke
from Yuki's chimney.
She still burns logs
like the wooden soldiers
she's always been known to grow
a bit at first.
I ate her rice, and smiled
at the pauses in her stories.
More tea? Yes, please.
(The rice was yesterday's, and dry).
I shined the bottom of the bowl
with grease-bread,
like we do back home.
All of the scratches
inside that bowl, though;
I wondered how many men
signed it with their spoons.
Like them, but
not too like them,
I met her because of hunger.
And those first morsels
always taste only like salt,
parching my mouth.
But it's what I do,
just to get something
into my stomach.
Meet me at the light
coming from Lu Bu's bridge.
The sun is tamed by dusk,
I wear no helmet now.
You'll see the white streak
flashing through my hair.
It's from all the years
that ran by so fast.
And it's from the tally
of staring at stars,
looking for the one
that would lead you home.
And highly, this torch
that I carry again,
last lit when it saw you off.
When you had left with
only what you could carry;
Eagerness and youth.
These pillars at the bridge
that hold the weight
of passer-by's
-Where we scratched our place
and a bygone decade,
have stood as time keepers.
Waiting for the day
that we change the date
of our once hasty initials.
We can use the same knife
that we had broken in half,
on the day we had split
our paths.
As each of us took our piece of it,
and tucked it into our hearts.
I am here, my lost love,
I bear the light on Lu Bu's bridge.
Bring your weariness
and your shiny piece of steel.
Place it once again with mine.
Let them meet, ache with ache.
They will forge, anew,
from our diligence
of carrying faith.
Of a weight felt,
but quietly heralded.
Father Time, he
will lean back
and wait for the bribe.
For when we throw that knife
into the river.
~~~
Published 21st Aug 2022
Author's Note
A pot of coffee, a pack of cigarettes, and two hundred text messages later, this is the best I could do.
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 10
reading list entries 6
comments 20
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21st Aug 2022 6:17pm
Hi Styx,
Just wow!!! The time stamp of words and the pic are so lovely. Everything in this is so
well placed and not rushed. It gave me a sense of longing and patience. Also enjoyed all the details
in this. Especially when eating and the bowl scratches. Got to be inside the protagonist's mind while
enjoying a simple meal and tea:)
My fave is the part with Eagerness and Youth!!
We do feel we can tackle the world - true in any time period.
A pot of coffee and cigs. hahaha
200 texts!! That's kind of bad ass to me.
Awesome write amigo
Just wow!!! The time stamp of words and the pic are so lovely. Everything in this is so
well placed and not rushed. It gave me a sense of longing and patience. Also enjoyed all the details
in this. Especially when eating and the bowl scratches. Got to be inside the protagonist's mind while
enjoying a simple meal and tea:)
My fave is the part with Eagerness and Youth!!
We do feel we can tackle the world - true in any time period.
A pot of coffee and cigs. hahaha
200 texts!! That's kind of bad ass to me.
Awesome write amigo
22nd Aug 2022 2:12am
Thank you, dear Del. This write of mine is a pretty loaded read. It's written and posted for another site actually, but I figured why not put it in here too. I like to diversify what I post.
I also had to search for a pic (from a free site), after I wrote the poem. This one matches up pretty well.
Thank you for the awesome reply. It helps me see if it's worthwhile posting or not.
I also had to search for a pic (from a free site), after I wrote the poem. This one matches up pretty well.
Thank you for the awesome reply. It helps me see if it's worthwhile posting or not.
21st Aug 2022 6:57pm
Agree with Adelphina
This is an amazingly detailed write
Gave me a few chills in spots
Holding your crown son
No tarnish ....
BIG LIKE
This is an amazingly detailed write
Gave me a few chills in spots
Holding your crown son
No tarnish ....
BIG LIKE
22nd Aug 2022 2:23am
Thank you fine sir. I don't want a crown. I want a six-pack and a camp fire. But thank you for the compliment.
Like I said to Del, this is from another site, where things are done a bit different. And I am different. Where I'm always a student to the wonders of writing.
As here, tho, I see pieces that make me smile and nod my head. Especially seeing writers expand from their comfort zones, and broaden theirs and ours, horizons.
I want everyone to spellbound me. Reading is most important, to every writer.
Like I said to Del, this is from another site, where things are done a bit different. And I am different. Where I'm always a student to the wonders of writing.
As here, tho, I see pieces that make me smile and nod my head. Especially seeing writers expand from their comfort zones, and broaden theirs and ours, horizons.
I want everyone to spellbound me. Reading is most important, to every writer.
22nd Aug 2022 2:35am
I only posted on one other site before dup.
For about a year. Site now defunct.
The editor was super strict about profanity and adult content.
He really liked my writing but we butter heads alot.
I was in poem court often fighting for my poems.
We became literary friends, he even put 6 of my poems in an anthology he published. I have to say it was interesting to be censored. I think he made me a better writer. His name is
Guy Farmer. He's out there somewhere. He gave me hope and believed in me. That was a lot for me, an inexperienced starting poet ...
For about a year. Site now defunct.
The editor was super strict about profanity and adult content.
He really liked my writing but we butter heads alot.
I was in poem court often fighting for my poems.
We became literary friends, he even put 6 of my poems in an anthology he published. I have to say it was interesting to be censored. I think he made me a better writer. His name is
Guy Farmer. He's out there somewhere. He gave me hope and believed in me. That was a lot for me, an inexperienced starting poet ...
22nd Aug 2022 3:00am
There is nothing wrong with being given restrictions, if the site belongs to someone who feels a certain way. That is when you find a literary way around the rules. I.E. metaphors.
Same as assignments where you are limited to twenty lines, or a hundred words, etc. (Of which I truly suck at).
Not to toot my horn, but I joined a site once in hopes of raising the bar a little, in my own way. But, the site-master continuously censored my use of curse words. Sometimes there is no more appropriate word, for impact. They did the " ***** " thing when they edited your posts. That looks like someone smashed little bugs on the screen.
No.
Yet, in retrospect, I understood fully why they censored. It was to prevent blatant usage of it. There is no merit in overuse. So even minimal usage had to be censored as well.
Your friend Guy sounds like an awesome person to have in your corner. We all need such people. We become better for it.
Same as assignments where you are limited to twenty lines, or a hundred words, etc. (Of which I truly suck at).
Not to toot my horn, but I joined a site once in hopes of raising the bar a little, in my own way. But, the site-master continuously censored my use of curse words. Sometimes there is no more appropriate word, for impact. They did the " ***** " thing when they edited your posts. That looks like someone smashed little bugs on the screen.
No.
Yet, in retrospect, I understood fully why they censored. It was to prevent blatant usage of it. There is no merit in overuse. So even minimal usage had to be censored as well.
Your friend Guy sounds like an awesome person to have in your corner. We all need such people. We become better for it.
21st Aug 2022 8:11pm
I feel like you were channeling an ascended master or a past lifetime or...something in this. There's a knowing that's beyond the ordinary. New- agey babble or big compliment? For all practical purposes, focus on the latter.
22nd Aug 2022 2:36am
"Channeling an ascending master" I like that!
In a way, you are right.
I am influenced by what I take in, and how I perceive it. This is a result of that.
I am always a student, awed by great lines and good writers. It sets a mood for me that I can build into my own creations.
The best thing any writer can do to improve themselves is take in writings from various countries, and styles, etc.
Most any language is translatable at the push of a button now. And there are amazing writers world wide.
The worst thing I can think of to be called is "generic". I try very hard not to be.
I gladly take the latter, PD. Thank you so much.
In a way, you are right.
I am influenced by what I take in, and how I perceive it. This is a result of that.
I am always a student, awed by great lines and good writers. It sets a mood for me that I can build into my own creations.
The best thing any writer can do to improve themselves is take in writings from various countries, and styles, etc.
Most any language is translatable at the push of a button now. And there are amazing writers world wide.
The worst thing I can think of to be called is "generic". I try very hard not to be.
I gladly take the latter, PD. Thank you so much.
23rd Aug 2022 8:13pm
I will meet you at the pillars.
The crowd will disappear.
Does not matter...
I only see your torch.
Burning for me.
A beacon that cannot be ignored.
Separate journeys often lead to the same place.
Father time offering a shaky foundation.
The steps are scary...
They creak and break.
The climb is hard, the fall is worse.
You will never make it with armor.
The weight is to much to bear.
Changing into a skirt and heels.
Also too much to bear sometimes.
But even Father time notices.
He told me to change.
So I did, and he wants me more yes...
In order to torture me more.
The arrows embedded deep.
But you try to pull them out.
Still you cannot save me.
Bleeding forever.
Salt in the wounds.
I will give you fried rice.
You don't want to hear the stories, nobody does.
How many men? today it's only you.
Those scratches are my nails on your back.
You signed me deeply.
So hungry, and I will feed you what you need.
And what will you do to get something.
To get me in your stomach.
You will always meet me at the bridge.
To the right is hell.
To the left is heaven.
But for me it's all hell.
You better wear a helmet.
I have no home so lead me into your bed.
That's where I belong.
No angel, and still I try to shine.
But the darkness just consumes more of me.
And you want what they all want.
To find that endless eagerness and youth.
Scratching your initials inside me.
A rough and lewd pattern.
The same knife, a simple proposition.
My heart is served raw.
I will shine your steel.
You can fight with me if you want.
I already lost but I will win this round.
My aches forging you new armor.
Father time stopped time for me.
Not as a favor, just to torture me more.
Save me, if just for a moment that never moves forward.
I will be your river, throw your knife in me.
Bleeding for eternity...
I will come for you at the bridge.
The crowd will disappear.
Does not matter...
I only see your torch.
Burning for me.
A beacon that cannot be ignored.
Separate journeys often lead to the same place.
Father time offering a shaky foundation.
The steps are scary...
They creak and break.
The climb is hard, the fall is worse.
You will never make it with armor.
The weight is to much to bear.
Changing into a skirt and heels.
Also too much to bear sometimes.
But even Father time notices.
He told me to change.
So I did, and he wants me more yes...
In order to torture me more.
The arrows embedded deep.
But you try to pull them out.
Still you cannot save me.
Bleeding forever.
Salt in the wounds.
I will give you fried rice.
You don't want to hear the stories, nobody does.
How many men? today it's only you.
Those scratches are my nails on your back.
You signed me deeply.
So hungry, and I will feed you what you need.
And what will you do to get something.
To get me in your stomach.
You will always meet me at the bridge.
To the right is hell.
To the left is heaven.
But for me it's all hell.
You better wear a helmet.
I have no home so lead me into your bed.
That's where I belong.
No angel, and still I try to shine.
But the darkness just consumes more of me.
And you want what they all want.
To find that endless eagerness and youth.
Scratching your initials inside me.
A rough and lewd pattern.
The same knife, a simple proposition.
My heart is served raw.
I will shine your steel.
You can fight with me if you want.
I already lost but I will win this round.
My aches forging you new armor.
Father time stopped time for me.
Not as a favor, just to torture me more.
Save me, if just for a moment that never moves forward.
I will be your river, throw your knife in me.
Bleeding for eternity...
I will come for you at the bridge.
25th Aug 2022 00:33am
Wow Kristina. I want to reply more, better, but I'm sort of caught off guard!
The effort you put in is remarkable. You practically answered every line with your own reply/interpretation. That's very impressive! To take the time and the effort is a real testament to your ability and passions for writing. I am both flattered and yet also humbled.
I had a totally shit work day today, btw. This is quite a boost to my morale.
Thank you!
And, the outstanding details that you put in your write, are spot on. Yet with your unique visions. It allows them to compliment each other well.
What an awesome thing for me to read. It's so cool!
You kicked ass!
The effort you put in is remarkable. You practically answered every line with your own reply/interpretation. That's very impressive! To take the time and the effort is a real testament to your ability and passions for writing. I am both flattered and yet also humbled.
I had a totally shit work day today, btw. This is quite a boost to my morale.
Thank you!
And, the outstanding details that you put in your write, are spot on. Yet with your unique visions. It allows them to compliment each other well.
What an awesome thing for me to read. It's so cool!
You kicked ass!
25th Aug 2022 2:26am
I am always catching people off guard. ;)
I have to admit it really took no effort at all. Normally the irregular line lengths would bother me. :p (damn OCD) Your lines are much more aesthetically pleasing. Anyway, it was completely stream of consciousness as I read. You got it exactly as it came, no editing whatsoever. But that's a real testament to your writing that it can incite such passion. ;) But perhaps I should tell you it took a lot of effort so you owe me. lol See, I anticipated you needed a morale boost. That's just part of my witchcraft. ;) That's what you get when you mirror words off of me. They come back something like this as my reply. I really adore your reaction, that makes me so happy. You are awesome and cool. ;) I love kicking ass...
Now I feel like I need to go clean up what I wrote and make it presentable. :p
Perhaps I will do that, add a bit of formatting and post it for you. ;)
I have to admit it really took no effort at all. Normally the irregular line lengths would bother me. :p (damn OCD) Your lines are much more aesthetically pleasing. Anyway, it was completely stream of consciousness as I read. You got it exactly as it came, no editing whatsoever. But that's a real testament to your writing that it can incite such passion. ;) But perhaps I should tell you it took a lot of effort so you owe me. lol See, I anticipated you needed a morale boost. That's just part of my witchcraft. ;) That's what you get when you mirror words off of me. They come back something like this as my reply. I really adore your reaction, that makes me so happy. You are awesome and cool. ;) I love kicking ass...
Now I feel like I need to go clean up what I wrote and make it presentable. :p
Perhaps I will do that, add a bit of formatting and post it for you. ;)
25th Aug 2022 2:35am
Well yeah, most definitely save it and add it to your page. It's full of its own merit, as a stand alone creation, as well as being cursive to my stick letters. Lol.
As for mine, I for once edited it best I could and tried to make it more presentable than I usually do. There is some I could chop off. But nah. I like it as is.
As for mine, I for once edited it best I could and tried to make it more presentable than I usually do. There is some I could chop off. But nah. I like it as is.
25th Aug 2022 00:34am
25th Aug 2022 2:25am
As much as it pains me to say, I owed you. :p
I meant yes you owe me, of course you do... Always...
I meant yes you owe me, of course you do... Always...
25th Aug 2022 7:15am
Dear S,
This write had a biblical sense for me. I envisioned a successful businessman shedding the conventions of his wealth and living the life of a disciple. Working the land and then being called by Father Time that his time on earth was finished Lu Bu was heaven or Valhalla or wherever you go when you exit your earthly container. But the businessman/farmer wasn’t ready doing time on earth yet and so we see the bargaining via Yuki (who sounds like she took cooking lessons from me). Father Time grants him the additional time knowing no one escapes the inevitable. I loved it! Great story telling as per! You pulled me in from the first stanza. Wonderful piece. H🌷
This write had a biblical sense for me. I envisioned a successful businessman shedding the conventions of his wealth and living the life of a disciple. Working the land and then being called by Father Time that his time on earth was finished Lu Bu was heaven or Valhalla or wherever you go when you exit your earthly container. But the businessman/farmer wasn’t ready doing time on earth yet and so we see the bargaining via Yuki (who sounds like she took cooking lessons from me). Father Time grants him the additional time knowing no one escapes the inevitable. I loved it! Great story telling as per! You pulled me in from the first stanza. Wonderful piece. H🌷
27th Aug 2022 4:18am
I like your spin on it, H.
There's a back story with this one, but bah, another time.
It drags a bit in the middle, I know. But the closing stanzas I thought were pretty dang good. I'm always conflicting myself, by do I tell a story or write a poem. Or cram them in together. I usually have no clue what will show up in writing. My visions are far broader than my vocabulary.
Thank you for your awesome take on this. Sometimes replies open up a different approach and I feel like rewriting what I posted! Or at least tweak a little.
Hey, guess what, your turn to post something of yours!!!!
There's a back story with this one, but bah, another time.
It drags a bit in the middle, I know. But the closing stanzas I thought were pretty dang good. I'm always conflicting myself, by do I tell a story or write a poem. Or cram them in together. I usually have no clue what will show up in writing. My visions are far broader than my vocabulary.
Thank you for your awesome take on this. Sometimes replies open up a different approach and I feel like rewriting what I posted! Or at least tweak a little.
Hey, guess what, your turn to post something of yours!!!!
1st Sep 2022 10:44am
"The best you can do?" Your best is incredible.
"Father Time, he
will lean back
and wait for the bribe."
Delicious.
"Father Time, he
will lean back
and wait for the bribe."
Delicious.
2nd Sep 2022 2:15am
Thank you for saying such. It took a bit of work for sure. Well I guess it isn't work, it's more like using words as clay and creating something tangible to throw into the kiln.
I used to write a lot like this. But moved on to other types.
Thank you, Aviola. It's sincerely appreciated.
I used to write a lot like this. But moved on to other types.
Thank you, Aviola. It's sincerely appreciated.
1st Sep 2022 1:12pm
2nd Sep 2022 2:20am
Hello Ursa Major!
"Lyrical" , I like that description. I'd never have thought of it that way. It is a bit different than my normal stuff in here.
Thank you so much for dropping in and adding to my smile. Today is a good day for it!
"Lyrical" , I like that description. I'd never have thought of it that way. It is a bit different than my normal stuff in here.
Thank you so much for dropping in and adding to my smile. Today is a good day for it!
