The RetroLounge Daily Poem Thread (Thu 1/31/2008)

[RetroLounge]

Preparing the Body

--------for Dylan Thomas

A man whose voice commands the most fickle ear
to fall silent and listen, you’d expect him to outrun
the length of a hospital bed, you’d suspect he knew
just how to woo death into giving him a few more
rounds of Tullamore Dew, straight, to even the score.
But, my God, what a bore to be wallowing in sheets
tinged with the smells of death, the slow drip
by the bedside counting down the seconds until
a mind feverish with words writes its epitaph.
I saw him once, you know, at a reading over at the Y.
He sang the most elaborate curses from the platform,
but that’s why even the stuffed-shirts showed up
to bear witness. You don’t realize what fire is
until you’ve heard his voice like a blow torch,
though now it disappears within the shell
of this shell-shocked skin. Poor John,
you look as if you’d seen a ghost, as I pass the cloth
over an alabaster hand, stubby as a child’s. What
remains untouched by this hand, John, is worse for it.
If only I could say these things out loud—oh, well.
His chest sobs now, weeping for what the heart lacks.
The spider’s web of perspiration covers every inch
of white skin, some invisible black widow spinning
her quiet work within his body. The softened brain,
once brilliant, reaches through the dark
to turn off its flickering light. Lungs coated
in the familiar scent of tobacco heave and sigh.
Even a poet is finally made human, each vital part
paying penance for his sin. But no matter as I raise
the stiffened sheet—he will not wake again.

Maghan Lusk

****************************************

:hi:

RL

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. I have not seen this poet before. Thanks.

[RetroLounge]

4. Nor have I...

:hi:

RL

[BlueIris]

2. Ah, Dylan Thomas.

Bring on the poems about Dylan Thomas.

[RetroLounge]

6. By, for and about!

:hi:

RL

[OzarkDem]

9. Great son of Abertawe

Gwna mo cer 'n addfwyn i mewn i a da nos
Henaint ddylu brydia a gorffwylla am caea chan ddiwrnod
Derfysgu, derfysgu erbyn 'r yn darfod chan 'r chyneua.

[xchrom]

3. ...

''The softened brain,
once brilliant, reaches through the dark
to turn off its flickering light.''

[hisownpetard]

5. The sounds! The music in this poem - especially the first half - is lilting and powerful,

as it would have to be for a poem dedicated to Dylan Thomas. A difficult task, well met.

Really, a wonderful read. What a treat! Thanks for finding and posting it, RL.

And thanks for doing this daily good deed, your Poetry Thread. No matter how bad the day's news may be,
there's always that to look forward to.


:hi: :yourock: :hi:

[Gonzo Gardener]

7. "Do not go gentle into that good night...

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

~ Dylan Thomas


:loveya:

I love my books Retro!!!

[RetroLounge]

8. I am glad you got them!

:hi:

RL

[Writer]

10. Today I read: "The RetroLounge Daily Porn Thread (Thu 1/31/2008)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. My dear Retro...

This is stunning, complex and easily read, all at the same time...

I just love it...

It's like eating words!

Here are some favorites of mine:

...the slow drip
by the bedside counting down the seconds until
a mind feverish with words writes its epitaph...

Thank you...


:hug: