VII. Friendship, Wisconsin

From my series "World Vision" where I address a poem to each place that i've visited. Just got back from a campground in friendship with some friends!

in the clarity of nature we feel

everything. hidden droplets of venus

and campfire against our festering knees. 

the beaded anthology of stars

fall to the earth 

to create patchwork with halcyon leaves.

we feel them bleed their speckled light

into the deep ends of our eyes

returning as twinkle lights, june bugs

and the cherry of our cigarettes. 

we can only wish 

in the landmarks of the constellation labyrinth

that the shooting stars will fall

into our mouths

so that they remember our futile wishes

with every inhale of smoke

and flick of our tongues around words

we could never say without the shield

of the unclad nature. 

your fingers shape question marks on my back

with an inquiring, candid sigh

and you hold music around the campfire

lucent and pining against your soul

with eyes a warm enough blue 

to heat the cold august night

with the azure daisies that roar around your pupils.

i want to lay, clandestine, in your field. 

with smoke in our lungs

and a past life in the trunk

we drive into a new adventure. 

Reviews

[Clockwork]

I found myself smiling as I read this one, because this night came to life, and sprang off the page into the Pennsylvania night. Plus, there were wondeful gems in this piece such as "the beaded anthology of stars" and "that the shooting stars will fall/into our mouths/so that they remember our futile wishes." My favorite bit was the ending though. There is a real sense of adventure there, and I liked the past life reference as well.

Overall, you gave us a hearty slice of good companionship, and a nice glimpse into the adventures in the closing weeks of summer.

[Dana Alsamsam]

i'm so happy i could bring a smile to your face! (missed you while i was gone... in the least cheesy way possible) thanks for your kind words :)

[Clockwork]

You're welcome Dana :-) it looks like the trip has really done you a lot of good, and that makes me glad.

I found some hot cocoa in the cabinet today while I was making dinner, and I had a glass (crushed up a candy cane in it and everything). Very tasty.

[Dana Alsamsam]

yes- the trip was a breath of fresh air much needed. we made hot cocoa around the camp fire and put some dark chocolate in it!

[Astro]

Some beautiful lines in this one Dana, and having just returned myself from an August camping trip, I could feel each moment vividly. I loved this one, as it formed itself like constellations in my mind, bright and hypnotic.

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you so much :) camping really is just great.

[Astro]

You are welcome, and so right!

[kublakhan27]

Wow, this is so good...your knack for the perfect image to suit every sentiment is off the charts...I consider this World Vision piece to be your magnum opus...it is a throwback to Romantic poetry, which revolved largely around the places visited by the poets of that era, and the imposition of the varying atmospheres on how they saw themselves...I've been fully engrossed by every part of this piece...well done Dana :)

[Dana Alsamsam]

ahh thank you so much that is a huge compliment!!! i hope i'm able to finish it, but for some places i'm at a loss... (or never finish it because i continue to travel of course) seriously though, your words mean a whole lot to me thank you!

[kublakhan27]

You're most welcome :) I'm sure the words will come, probably when you're least expecting it or not even thinking about it...you know how it is with muses, they're a very dry-humoured bunch ;P

[Archangel Gabriel]

Dana you have an amazing way with words that paint a time and place. A poem of rich metaphors.

[K. Louis]

I love the imagery here Dana! That second and third stanza are awesome!

[annabellee]

you must have had a wonderful time. Great description I could totally picture you guys in the nature.
"we can only wish
in the landmarks of the constellation labyrinth
that the shooting stars will fall
into our mouths"
I loved these lines, they have sth magical just like the whole poem.
Great write :)

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you so much for your kind words- the trip was most definitely magical!

[annabellee]

you're most welcome :)

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

with smoke in our lungs
and a past life in the trunk
we drive into a new adventure. -- this is fabulous...I shall close my eyes to this thought tonight.

Beautiful imagery and what a great story within this one. I like the questioning, adventurous tone, and the way that you melted nature imagery with the concept of ethereal past lives and other "clandestine" nuances. Execution was fabulous...great flow. Just a really fantastic bit of modern poetry.

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you so much! that melting of concepts came from being refreshed within the nature as well as within new friendships. thanks for catching on to those themes :)

[Anand Sehgal]

the beaded anthology of stars
fall to the earth
to create patchwork with halcyon leaves.
we feel them bleed their speckled light
into the deep ends of our eyes
returning as twinkle lights, june bugs
and the cherry of our cigarettes.

speechless. Adding to my reading list. brilliant work :)

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you so much for your kind words! it's an honor.

[Tomahawk Joe]

Another great piece you seem to have a gift for poetry

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you so much!