maybe that’s why dreams don’t die

Posted on by claudia

.

it’s a half-moon & they call it lucky
but i’m undecided,

napkins folded, pink,
mostly rolled into themselves,
like an animal curls up
for a winter rest,

the shopping street below
is busy, somewhere in an alley, locked
onto a steel fence, leaned
against the rain– my bike,

unobtrusive music
from the speakers (classical)

& tattooed chop sticks laid
to simple labyrinths with easy exit, i–

(so funny, i can’t remember
what color the table cloth was),

there must’ve been one though,
the labyrinth crumpled,

bits & pieces of the moon amidst, i
cut them with a fish knife, dreams

are mostly flexible, so i’m not bothered,
it’s like earthworms maybe,
chop them into halves & they will crawl,
happy & alive
in different directions

(if that’s really true–) i mean,
they always told us, but, i’m not so sure
if someone ever tried

. 

at dVerse today, we’re writing descriptive poems in which we use images to describe a feeling, a truth, a person, using primarily surroundings.. in other words.. imagist poems that have an embedded message..see you at 3pm EST when Victoria’s excellent article goes online

56 responses to “maybe that’s why dreams don’t die”

  2. wicked cool pic to go with this…hey i get to comment before going to bed..and be first….cool…smiles…i like the play with halves…the moon…the worm…the dreams…they do grow on, each half…worms at least…having fished a bit in my day and used a half or two…the animal cruling on itself is a cool touch…there are some interesting undertones in this claudia…the worms cut and crawling off, happy maybe…

  5. Intriguing images — half moons, fish knifes leading to worms. The eeky image sticks. 🙂 The way you fit the worms in there, the simple and unstoppable things, make them seem rather supernatural.

    • and yes I guess befits what you are trying to say of dreams, that they are probably unkillable, even if they get chopped, as long as they are not crushed maybe.

  6. I find it difficult to believe you have been writing for only two years. I have been writing for about eight or nine. When I think of the stuff I was writing after only two…

  8. …wow Claudia… you have always a distinguished voice and tone that was only belonged to you…. yes..yes… i did think, though, you’re more of a household poet… couldn’t get enough hint for tomorrow’s meeting the bar…so i guess… i will have just wait ’til tomorrow morn… smiles…

  9. Having these visions of the tetchy poet with worms crawling beneath skin in want of words to fill a void that no one else sees. Yeah I’m feeling this one Claudia I can definitely put myself in those shoes.

  10. My wish for you is that none of your dreams ever die. Once a dream dies, it can take a long time to trust them again. Some of us black out our dreams to get through the darkest times. The fortunate ones, learn to dream again.
    The poem is well done!

  12. Re worms – yes it’s true! If you don’t chop too much. I mean, mincing won’t work!

    You always have a wonderful imagist feel which is especially wonderful here. k.

  14. This form may have been developed just for you. Imagery is your gift. And I thank you for sharing it. This was like a little trip into your dreams. So you.

  16. I’m sure we all have tried to cut worms in half at some point in our life … just to discover that life goes on … no matter what. Thank goodness, I’d say.

  21. This piece works at several levels, Claudia; a fine descriptive ride that puts us in your dreamscape & your soul, some gentle philosophizing to tweek our non-attentive side, only missing the sensuality that usually finds its way into your verse. I love it actually when you are dreaming, and you realize that you dreaming, and this colors the event.

  22. & tattooed chop sticks laid
    to simple labyrinths with easy exit, i–

    I just love that, the best description of a chopstick I have ever found. I collect them [sad huh] and I would never have dreamt up that desription.

  24. Is anything that “they” told us true? Is anything that “they” tell us today really true. And, to ask the most important question ever, what is truth?

  31. I love the idea of our dreams drifting off into different directions, so many opportunities out there. The imagery so vivid and love the photo. Wonderful as always. 🙂

  32. Well, everyone has already pointed out my favorite lines and phrases. This whole poem is one big descriptive treat, a real treasure.

  33. Cool line, Claudia. Love this…bits & pieces of the moon amidst, i
    cut them with a fish knife, dreams

    are mostly flexible, so i’m not bothered. 🙂

  50. You told us so much about yourself through this piece.

    “it’s a half-moon & they call it lucky
    but i’m undecided,

    napkins folded, pink,
    mostly rolled into themselves” (aren’t all poets?)

    “tattooed chop sticks laid”

    “bits & pieces of the moon amidst, i
    cut them with a fish knife, dreams

    are mostly flexible, so i’m not bothered”

    busy, unobtrusive … It’s like a snapshot. Fantastic work.

  51. my favorite line was tattooed chop sticks because those are the best ones, not the cheap bamboo ones they give at fast food Asian places…i never thought of it as tattooed. like Maj-on tiles? is that what you mean?

  53. Claudia, this is why I adore your writing so much. You write with such vivid imagery that the mind has so many wonderful places to go, and upon second and subsequent reads, you discover something a little more. Magnificent piece!

  55. “napkins folded, pink,
    mostly rolled into themselves,
    like an animal curls up
    for a winter rest…”

    Hi! Claudia…
    So many images [The colour pink, Japanese lantern, Asia…and your photograph with the half-moon…] danced in my thoughts as I read your poem maybe that’s why dreams don’t die…Therefore, I think that you have captured through your [poetic] words an…imagist poem.
    deedee 🙂