Description: I wrote this while reading Anais Nin's Collages. It has this oft repeated line "Nothing is ever finished."
A Patch of a Life -------------------------------------------
A story is just a patch of a life
Cut painfully from the middle like an appendix
To make the beginning and ending tidy
But lives interweave like a tapestry
Extending to infinity in all directions
There is but one great and convoluted story
Hacked to bits by the limits of mortality and imagination
Amy, did you know that the first letter of each line is 'Act Beth'? Weird huh? Lol, thought I'd point out that subliminal acrostic for you.
I like your second line the most-- "Cut painfully from the middle like an appendix" --as a metaphor for life, it's pretty unique and surgically precise in imagery.
Then you move to a "tapestry"-- mixing your metaphors... which is good.
All in all, very concise (as usual) and disarming in interpretation.
I saw this on someone's fave list so I just had to snoop lol. Peace, Jase
You write like you think. Like a tired hippy. But it's always cleverly done so you're enigmatic, by dint of your regular readership knowing that you're bright. Compliment...
A story is just a patch of a life cut painfully from the middle like an appendix. To make the beginning and ending tidy but lives interweave like a tapestry extending to infinity in all directions. There is but one great and convoluted story, hacked to bits by the limits of mortality and imagination.
Provoker. Favourite bit: but lives interweave like a tapestry extending to infinity in all directions
'just a heartbeat in eternity' that was what came to my mind while reading your poem. great concept and great poem. nothing more to say. it's just great.
I too like the second line, especially because of the alternate meaning of the word "appendix." And I love the word "tidy." Also, there is a gentle roll to it, as it rolls about in my mind. Me likes. By the way, LOVE the dress.
this goes to some depths, Amy! Anais Nin is something else, isn't she?!
There is but one great and convoluted story/Hacked to bits by the limits of mortality and imagination.
that is so deep and a bit brutal with the hacking. you use painfully above as well. leaves me with a negative feeling of life sometimes... we are all entertwined but can be so cruel to each other in our mortality and (lack of) imagination. very insightful. i'll read this a few times, i can see!
This *is* quite deep, it leaves me wondering what the great, convoluted story is... the life, the body, existence as a whole? Weird stuff... "But lives interweave like a tapestry" That's the line I liked best. I always loved the word Tapestry... just challenged Sandburg to write a Tapestry poem last week... I was meant to follow up, but haven't got it posted yet, typical me!
This is marvelous. I like the whole tapestry, big picture idea. Each story, each action sets into motion another story, another reaction. Infinity. We are all puzzle pieces in one giant jigsaw. "Hacking" out the pieces to our stories from the middle of the biggest story of all...LIFE.
This is one of those piece that I will not soon forget. It was quite astounding in it's depth that you were able to compose into briefly stated lines.
People do not realize that minimalism is not as easy as it looks. It is the most powerful form of poetry in my eyes. It speaks an important truth and leaves it at that. No embellishment or hearts and flowers are needed. Great truths need to be clear.
This is a favorite. Thanks for sharing it with me.
Thanks for the reply to Paint Ourselves Anew. I was just referring to looking different, but hopefully he'd still be making love to me. It's just about how you sometimes get bored with how you look. Some days I'd like to look like Nicole Kidman or whatever.
Submission Name: A Patch of a Life
By the way, LOVE the dress.
