Passing Ships

who the hell is Russ Demfer? Halloween is on the rise.

Standing in the post light at the pub

ship night at the port

discomfort turned prisoner

in the summer of 42

Russ Demfer couldn't move his legs

But I'm going to feel your body

damaged, broken

like it's an attack,

pork chops you could munch on for hours.

It was there the entire time

all those beautiful gardens

were a local heaven

all those sweet secret gardens

that families break...

come in handy  

seen as a Bird with a bleating heart

and you'll be screaming

when you bite your tongue.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I'm no good at interpreting abstract poems like this, but I'll give it a stab. I'm reminded of how, in my youth, I would bounce along from one party to the next, from one group of near-strangers to the next. I started college at UCSB & Isla Vista is a little adjacent party town & most parties happened along the coastal street called "La Playa". But for all that we partied together, we were just passing ships in the night & I couldn't name one person from this era in my life (((HUGS)))

[Corset]

You do just great Barleygirl, Thank you! yes, girls that young attend parties thinking to flirt and have fun maybe find a nice boy, maybe get a buzz and live a little, full of trust and so nieve then things like this can and do happen.

[h d e rushin]

I remember "ship night" in Jacksonville (82 nor 42 though) where sailors, out to sea for 60 days ate everything in sight, drank themselves into a stupor but had to remain 'covered' even while dragging their damaged selves back to the ship. In 42 The United States had just entered the war with Japan and many of those boys would never see the states again. "Passing ships" appear like passing bodies...(the analogy was just tremendous) if you can accept the mordant exposing of souls, the importance of w****s, clean clothes, a piano bar and a shoulder to cry on. /
As for the second part of this poem it is like my army veteran neighbor who combs his last remaining hairs over to one side of his head. Sometimes he combs them in the opposite direction but he always screams the patriotic part of the loosely adhered upon anthem. America is indeed beautiful. dana loves you...

[Corset]

For which I am so grateful...she's a lifesaver, a cherry one...maybe pineapple, pineapple rocks too.

[Chris Shaw]

Read a couple of times Corset. Passing ships are near misses in my book. Abstract poetry is hard to interpret, like Jacob says it can send you all over the place. Broken bodies need loving. Secret gardens are enticing places. I have a vivid imagination. Intriguing piece dear poet.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I am so happy to be able to read your poetry dear Corset. I did enjoyed this one. Old style, old feel and a entertaining story shared. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Corset]

Thank you Coyote, early day tomorrow but I'll be by soon!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Corset.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

And I remember "the summer of 42" well at least the movie...
Prisoners and secret gardens....family secrets...the raven attacks...
Maybe I am screaming, and my tongue does hurt.
I love your image of "discomfort turned prisoner"
it is like the past holding us prisoner, when we cannot forget, and the bleeding heart becomes the bleating heart.
wow, I went everywhere with this wonderfully abstract write.
j.

[Corset]

I love it when you go everywhere :D Thanks J.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Your poetry always intrigues me so.
j.