All that is Left

 

 

 

Like lost breath in August residue,

I was a dream when conscript leafleteers,

swayed, serene as summer elms.

Soldiers burnt their typecast futures,
while the crowd hummed that harmony

that was both America and not America;
in reverence of Star Sprangled Banner.
Is this footage all that is left of 100,000 faces?
100,000 memories of unwrinkled
flesh and dreams?

Your black curls that hung down your head,

have long since decayed into Hessian earth.

The coffin has splintered, like a ruptured note,

and allowed the earth to sprout

musicians fingers and thumbs, legs and arms.

 

The liturgy of love you sang, like an electric hymn,

died almost as soon as the last amber's

of the festivals were extinguished. 

You'll never sing through six foot turf,

set thick with worms or through a concrete crust.

When you lived you were energy itself,

 almost unbound by matter, you defied

what many thought the physics of music,

your guitar gratified a hunger,

a primal pulsing need.

Reviews

[James Paulin]

We are stardust, we are golden, we caught in the devil's bargain,
And we got to get ourselves back to the garden. (Refrain from "Woodstock")

A black hole consumes everything, compressing even light to a point of singularity until an overwhelming positivity reverses the prime force in its own display.

I dig it.

[Emily B]

oh, Sel, I know it's been a while, but these words were brand new, and full of timeless beauty

[wolfsshadow25]

wow that was inspiring, i liked it a lot

[Gandré]

this is a great photoshoped picture. I just started to learn it, hopefully I can do this soon, too. you are so right, "Is this footage all that is left of 100,000 faces?
100,000 memories of unwrinkled
flesh and dreams?"-------- was my favorite part and we need to remember, not only this, we need to act. and I liked how you described J. H. time as a floral shower and life flaunting as floral sheet. yes, the one reviewer is right, you are the such a natural poet - in all those wide topics you were YOU, and opened our eyes.

[Brjden (Bridge-Den) Cre..]

Incredible depiction as to what I'm sure it was like seeing Jimi at Woodstock. I would've loved to have seen Jimi anyway actually. He's one of my favorite musicians and definitely my #1 guitar hero(I play guitar). Your words are so well crafted and you're probably the most natural, traditional poet that I've read on the site. I always use words like intelligent when I'm reviewing your stuff, and I can use it here, but this one also was very "dream-like" and windy(if that makes sense). Spirited. Even though you didn't mention certain things, I envisioned the stage and Jimi walking on it; things like that. Your piece set up a colorful scene in my mind, which is the sign of a great poet! Another great pen Sel!

[fireblossom]

I was there then. This captured the spirit of the time. The word choice is wonderful:

Like lost breath in August residue,
I was a dream when conscript leafleteers,
swayed, serene as summer elms.
Soldiers burnt their typecast futures,
while the crowd hummed that harmony

One thing...Jimi was never in Vietnam...but in spirit it works...

[Vanessa Whiteley]

What I haven't reviewed this one either. Where have I been - well not Woodstock more's the pity wouldn't it have been wonderful to have been one of the crowd listening to Jimi.

Conscript leafleteers swayed,
serene as summer elms. Soldiers burnt
their typecast futures,

You paint such a clear picture and then take that extra step

Is this footage all that is left of 100,000 faces?
100,000 memories of unwrinkled
flesh and dreams.

And the description of Jimi is wonderful. You present a complete picture and your words are just beautiful. Your style is so engaging and I look forward to seeing your poems in the bookshops. Oh, and I want a dedication when you get published.

[Pema Dorje]

Adamantine and crystalline moments reflected as a writers Poetry and informs of the veracity of a moment of humanity ... eyes wide open Sel, reflecting all the world wondefully!

[Deborah Leah Krempa]

It was a wonderful time and a tragic time in our history, I was one of those of "unwrinkled flesh" (teenager) at the time. Good write. Debileah

[Donald Meikle]

BTW I still have my fringed buckskin jacket. And it still fits though not as loosely. Spring killed to keep me dry!