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Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash. Leonard Cohen

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Memories and Magic



image from cover of "The Ocean At the End of the Lane"

Go the pond
At the end of the lane
Think of the girl
Remember again

Standing inside
The green fairy ring
Nothing can hurt you
Forget everything

Marble of glass
Soldier of tin
Swallow the ocean
Breath it all in

Fight with the monsters
The sheets from your bed
Nightmares of grown-ups
Take root in your head

Childhood demons
Tore you apart
Banished, but still
Left a hole in your heart.

(inspired by Neil Gaimon's new book, The Ocean At the End of the Lane)

19 comments:

Kerry O'Connor said...

I'm such a fan of Neil Gaiman, and what a way to promote his new book than this wonderful poem!

Fireblossom said...

I've seen that cover and think it is awesome.

Anonymous said...

Oh wow this is exceptional writing, heart-breaking I have always found it devastating the way childhood traumas continue to ache and effect

Unknown said...

I want to set this to music and sing it to Iggy to perfume his dreams. ✒Cyn

Marian said...

Nice! I'm (finally) reading American Gods & this is on my list.

Mademoiselle Modelle said...

Childhood memories are often so clear....wonderful writing.

Susie Clevenger said...

What a wonderful piece...I am so familiar with nightmares of grownups...

Susan said...

Lordy! Another Gaiman I cannot live without reading now that you have walked me to it! Tremendous.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Way cool poem with all of the rhythm of a witch's incantation. (Trust me, I know these things!)

Kay L. Davies said...

So evocative of the nightmare state. Extremely well done, Ms Mouse.
K

Margaret said...

Neil Gaimon is almost a god in our house :). I will have to get this book. I am reading American Gods and next Anansi Boys. Your poem has a wonderful cadence

George S Batty said...

a troubling poem...sad but well written...I hope the hole is not yours but if so...I would hope that some day it becomes whole again.

Maude Lynn said...

This is marvelous writing! I must get that book.

Maggie Grace said...

I don't know the author but I know that image and I lived your writing. Well done. I didn't fall apart and I'm happy about that. Am observing my new responses. Thank you for writing this. It was like being under a spell...a very dark one.

hedgewitch said...

The center of this poem is some of the creepier stuff I've read to this challenge, LM. Gaiman is a law unto himself when it comes to fantasy.

Helen said...

The sing-song rhythm works so well here ~~ creepy good.

Ella said...

I love this one! I love Neil Gaiman and you so captured the lingering nightmares! Well Done~ I want the book ;D
Yes, I agree it needs to be set to music~

Anonymous said...

Oh! Love the musicality of this :)

Brian Miller said...

the dancing cadence of this make it so haunting...def evocative...painfully so...

and i so cant wait to read this book...waiting on it to come in at the library...