Fleeting Footsteps

Caught on film in stilted
film noir,  lessened
life, time has long past
bled the sensate color of
once rosed cheeks.

Dead lives trapped on
8mm film succumbing to
the indignities of cellophane
that flake into the void,

but it is the faded and forgotten
memories of lives lived large and
and obscure that cause for pause
and wonder if there will be any
lingering memories of me.

Reviews

[Clockwork]

This one really makes me contemplate what we leave behind once we pass on, and what the longevity of our legacies can possibly be. Even though these old film stars are immortalized, they may in fact have a shelf life. For that reason, the lines "and wonder if there will be any/lingering memories of me," really stuck with me.

My favorite bit of impermanence from this piece is in the second stanza with the lines: "the indignities of cellophane/that flake into the void." Those lines show how their lives, once captured in each from on that film strip, fade into oblivion. Well done here, Ice.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks, I like what you took away from this.

[Clockwork]

You're welcome. Thank you for bringing it into existence

[David Scott]

I read a poem about the footprints washing away on the sandy beaches... This poem gives me that same feeling only with a deeper footprint that does not wash away completely.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you, I like that.

[wunder]

~i think this is a magnificent poem-
and it certainly reads as 'film noir'-
with each verse beautiful on its own~ :))

~and the ending verse - my favorite!~ :))

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much. I am happy you enjoyed the poem.

[wunder]

~my pleasure~ :))

[s y e]

Don't you just love those old movies? Sitting there watching with your bowl of popcorn or whatever, it's magical. Very sassy ladies, haha - and those guys, oh la la :-P Ha! This is great, blue. Awesome job.

~ Noodle.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks Noodle- I love your new photo/avatar.

[s y e]

Thanks, she's definitely a gorgeous woman. (demi lovato)

[icelandicblue]

I thought it was you!!! You're beautiful too.

[Frieda P]

I just told her the same thing blue!

[s y e]

Haha, in my dreams, girls!

[Aethereal]

Film is a deep metaphor. Every moment is a frame within a cosmic panorama of events. Each frame takes place because it's probable. That which was once an actuality has a way of showing up again within the fullness of time just as a double six does if we throw a pair of dice enough times. Our probability is eternal. Probability is like a ghost waiting for its time to materialize as an actuality.

[icelandicblue]

I love your comment, especially this line:
Probability is like a ghost waiting for its time to materialize as an actuality.

[Angi]

I love those old movies. Those sassy ladies giving it right back to those smooth talkin' men! You better believe you will be remembered. Everyone holds something precious for someone else. Everyone. Nicely done, Blue. Angi~

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Angi!

[Einstein Noodle]

"and wonder if there will be any
lingering memories of me. "

did not think you were going there. what an interesting and thought provoking poem. i grew up on those black and whites, bigger than life, stars. still love to watch those old movies.

:)
E.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much E. I love those movies- especially those smart-talkin' sirens.

[Einstein Noodle]

yep! me too...lots of them had a pretty good right too!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Very thought provoking... I love the way that you used the idea of "film noir" and the old black and white movies where actresses were starlits and actors were classy and debonair in order to make an observation on the idea of immortality. "and wonder if there will be any/ lingering memories of me." -- and I think there will, my friend. A beautiful piece of work.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Sarah!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

what a thought...8mm film of our lives...will we somehow be captured in print...with our poetry...will that give others cause to pause years down the road.

nicely done

jacob

[icelandicblue]

I do sometimes wonder about these things. Thank jacob.

[Jack...]

I believe at times this is a quaestion we all ask ourselves, will we be remembered? Very nice Blue and so nice to have you back. I know I will forever remember you.

[icelandicblue]

Aw thanks so much Jack.