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Post by Brigid Briton on Sept 19, 2011 9:07:06 GMT -6
While listening to Tim's latest audioboo, I noticed one of his other titles out of the corner of my eye. It was "On Matters of Fate" but, at a glance, it appeared to read, "On the Mattress of Fate". So, I got to thinking that would be an awesome challenge. Does this tweak something there inside you?  |
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Post by heatherwordbender on Sept 19, 2011 9:40:13 GMT -6
Though I lie down a' pondering
I do not blithely lie.
It's a torn and puzzled wondering
which way to turn and why.
Balked first when turning left then
redirecting right,
I found that yet again
I'd made an oversight.
So backing up, considered
which direction best to turn
discovered I'd another
lesson left to learn.
Scrambled willy-nilly
For a forward left to go,
'Til I saw how very silly
'twere to go where I don't know...
That settled, I backed off a bit
determined me to rest,
left off a while considering it
and how to manage best.
As I started thinking less,
I felt my eyelids' weight,
Gave my problems to my mattress...
The Mattress of Fate.
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Post by Brigid Briton on Sept 19, 2011 9:44:44 GMT -6
Heather! You are brilliant! A poem on demand, and a good one at that, within a half hour of the posting of the challenge. OK, everybody, you've got your work cut out for you now! |
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Post by heatherwordbender on Sept 19, 2011 9:51:02 GMT -6
Ah...it is more that my coping mechanisms align nicely with the challenge But thanks |
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Post by Reilley on Sept 19, 2011 10:35:00 GMT -6
Falling to bed
fully clothed,
wrapped in drink and contrition.
He wept as he slept
thinking of her
She haunted,
hunted
and consumed him.
Caliginous passions were unbound,
escaped,
and found surcease
in his misery
He wrestled with demons
and sheets.
He awoke naked.
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Post by heatherwordbender on Sept 19, 2011 10:40:01 GMT -6
I love that one, Reilley...
love the measure and fall of it too.
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Post by Brigid Briton on Sept 19, 2011 11:34:34 GMT -6
Awesome, Reilley! I love "wrapped in drink and contrition". Also, "caliginous" has now been carefully noted and added to my vocabulary. Great job! |
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Post by dustandwater on Sept 19, 2011 11:38:18 GMT -6
On the matress of fate
weighing the weight
of decisions loosely made
and plans failed
full moons waned
ships sailed
pure intentions stained
and dreams assailed.
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Post by Brigid Briton on Sept 19, 2011 11:43:12 GMT -6
I swear, you guys are all awesome! D&W, thanks for joining the ranks of the successful "Mattress" poets. I thought this would be a difficult challenge but the three of you have made it look easy! |
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Post by heatherwordbender on Sept 19, 2011 11:57:06 GMT -6
I love how different these all are. Of course we are all very different people. Still interesting to see that illustrated...
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Post by Brigid Briton on Sept 19, 2011 16:59:42 GMT -6
OK, it's pretty embarrassing to start a challenge and then be the fourth one to respond to it! But, here goes:
No matter how I dress it up
with elegant covers
of the palest pastel pink
Egyptian cotton,
luxurious faux down
comforters,
king-size pillows
and designer bolsters
that look like
confections,
I still find myself
tossing and turning
on that lumpy
Mattress of Fate.
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Post by heatherwordbender on Sept 19, 2011 17:51:22 GMT -6
And of course you bring something yet again different and new. Nice. |
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Post by thisismyengland on Sept 20, 2011 12:44:22 GMT -6
the vacuum cleaner sucks the day from a swathe of grey carpet tiles, and in the narrow slice of daylight between dark stores of dubious goods, the damp and spotty bedding of some body's fate stands propped beside the sign that reads: DO NOT LEAVE YOUR RUBBISH HERE, PUT IT ON THE STREET and I think of a house eight hundred miles and fifteen years from here, where one night I was visited by the little bittersweet phantom who had helped me make that first death-crack in the shiny, woody hardness of the conker of my heart; silent, we rolled on a flat mattress, and I will never know why her insinuating hand ghosted, unbidden, to the hardness of the hotness of my prick, and I will never know why her slim fingers' quiet enquiry was ended, suddenly, in a noisy rage of slurs, and in the dramatic crashing of the garden gate. when I had my one chance to ask about it, a lifetime later in a hotel bar and in the here-and-now... well, I think I saw that no good could come from finding out.  |
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Post by diannet on Sept 20, 2011 13:25:39 GMT -6
Some great poetry for this challenge. I am lagging behind on this one...yet again.
Time...a great verse, I liked the rawness of your approach.
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Post by thisismyengland on Sept 20, 2011 13:28:53 GMT -6
Some great poetry for this challenge. I am lagging behind on this one...yet again. Time...a great verse, I liked the rawness of your approach. yah... but what about the photo of the mattress? Luckily I had one on hand... didn't need to go mattress hunting today to illustrate the piece... |
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Post by Fire Monkey on Sept 20, 2011 15:39:12 GMT -6
So many great poems on an interesting challenge. I may have to return a couple times and comment on each one at a time but for now I'll say I think I like them all. Guess it's time for me to see what I can manage on this one....
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Post by Fire Monkey on Sept 20, 2011 15:53:17 GMT -6
On the Mattress of Fate
Shall I lay motionless
perhaps with sleepless eyes
tracing some picture
the dark has painted on my ceiling
Or with primal passions
share this space with one
perchance then to dream
Or like a child
bouncing joyously
with reckless abandon
And if I do,
what will the morning make of the scene
With infinite possibilities
and limitless choice
will my heart move me
inevitably towards the same
action each night
Or might I explore
the variations of life
Copyright September 20, 2011 by Timothy Emil Birch
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Post by diannet on Sept 20, 2011 16:58:16 GMT -6
Ooooh Fire Monkey that is a different style for you...love it! Okay I finally punched fingers to keys and this is my effort... The Mattress of Fate Floundering you throw yourself on my mercy on the place you would have me thrown a pile of leaves, grass, dead straw, mat that I am, my sins covered by the skin of many a dead animal who once crossed your path you lay here with your dreams your schemes your unashamed passions and all the while I coil an inner spring for your delusions that you somehow control the outcome |
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Post by swelvis30 on Sept 20, 2011 22:35:04 GMT -6
On the Mattress of Fate
I unearthed Heaven's Gate
But my sanity twists and turns
As my desire quickly burns
Love cannot abide
Forever locked inside
For who holds the key
To unlock the real me
Left tired and empty
As the sun begins to rise
The matrix of morning cries
What happened to the night?
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Post by Brigid Briton on Sept 21, 2011 13:58:32 GMT -6
Wow! We continue to get some awesome entries in this challenge. One of my favorite lines is "while I coil an inner spring for your delusions" from Dianne. (Awesome reference to the title, Dianne) And, of course, thisismyengland has come forward with the best visual interpretation! How about the rest of you? Aren't you just dying to join us "On the Mattress of Fate"? |
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