Forever Cracked

‘I can see clearly now the rain has gone’ 

and thank goodness for that 

the rain created so much mud 

it ran into my every pore 

dirtying my being from 

inside out 

not sure what to do with this filth 

I sit in front of a billowing fire 

a naive mistake 

the fire becomes a kiln for the muddy clay 

which has enveloped the me and me of my senses

I have changed form - - -

baked into human pottery - argh !

stuck 

is a word 

I will not use lightly 

especially while contemplating 

my own dirge 

ahhhhh - - - 

thank the eternal gushes

a passing wind rushes 

tossing me to the ground 

I crack round the edges - -

I roll and roll and roll again

to the rivers edge 

plopping myself right in

floating - no

sinking - yes - sinking 

oh wait 

- sunk!

idle at the bottom of the riverbed

blinking at the fish 

the pottered clay softens

now oozing out every pore 

body movement returns 

alas I remain cracked in other ways 

most sudden I remember 

breath is not a gift 

in the underwater world - - 

I gasp 

I take water in

I laugh 

as bubbles tickle 

the interior

of my nostrils

floating to the surface 

I relish my now 

my very soft 

mud lavished skin 

even though I shall remain forever cracked

Author's Note

each year I participate in the Popo Fest (Postcard Poetry Festival) which entails sending and receiving a postcard poem daily. The poems are encouraged to be free verse and no editing - this is one such that was carried away with my day :) XX

Reviews

[B]

Something about that part of us that is broken
we know where it is
and we know how it comes to life
We live with these cracks because they make us ourselves
we are gentle around them

I know this feeling too well
you done such a great job of bringing it to life

[Ruth]

I love this, the seams may fray time to time and the scars show but we do carry on, a little broken perhaps from life's throes but nevertheless, determined to let the light enter those cracks, lovely :)

[Einstein Noodle]

Dear KW! have to say this one broke my heart!!! thinking of you and all your travels ... man alive!!! so breaks me in reading .. the personal up closeness of this poem can not be denied .. my face feels draining of blood .. and body weak .. so your spontaneous write is as potent as the Voo Doo Queen of New Orleans ... that I refused to see (probably would not survive it) ... good Lord in Heaven ... your poem is so obliteratingly destructive!!! i just can't get over it ... love your stuff! sorry to be so self indulgent but reminds me of another take on riverbeds .. hope you find time to check it ;)
http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/BorgLackluster/1241854/
E.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Very good, KWP. Metamorphosis is one thing, but you'll never be the same afterwards. I like the pictures you describing, the interchange with the elements. Very well done. :) Rudi

[AaronFreitas]

This is an awesome write KWP! I am a fan of free verse no editing as I feel it keeps a lot of that raw emotion and really gives a true glimpse into your mind. This is one of my favorites by you! Great work :)

[A. Amos]

You always write with honesty and freedom of mind and that make your work simply brilliant!

[Willard Wells]

I saw you encased in clay and rolling yourself to waters edge. Fun piece and I wish we had some of that water. I expect when we do get it, we will wish for a little less or a little slower down fall.

[cycy]

this is a very interesting piece, i enjoyed each phrase it is kinda detached buh in a way each stanza comes together beautifuly and the words just flow...i love the rain too :) lovely

[Rinzin Samdup]

Rain....i love rain though it creates mud :).....the reason why i love rain is No one knows i am crying. :) well written piece. like it!

[andrew mitchell]

A lovely presented Sydneysider Write > Loved this!