WHO SAID THAT?

08 27 13

The nameless communicate
through a catalogue of shrugs

This shrug for a numb day
when the news is generic
and predictable

That shrug for a day of weight
when the shoulders are compelled
to compensate for a head
shot down like a hollow usurper
underneath a crown

There's another shrug for the lacking
of a signature to cling to

No adage in an autograph
to exonerate the sentence
of cerebral barrenness
with the notion of a name
on a napkin defining
a complete stranger's day

Even strangers have a name
A signature to cling to

Author's Note

They can't all be winners I guess...not that many people would notice.

Reviews

[s y e]

Life isn't easy, bud - and sadly even when we do good there is always bad around the corner. Just take a deep breath and try and de-stress. You're strong and can get by it. With Frieda and everyone here. You always write in such a unique way it always grabs my attention. Well done as always.

[kublakhan27]

You can say that again my friend. Yet I must write on...it's my equivalent of a deep breath I suppose, or hyperventilating, who knows? haha :P I derive my strength from you ladies...I honestly don't know what I'd do without your friendship and support. So glad you liked this one...thank you Noodlebop :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

strangers can sometimes be the best friends...nods, winks, shrugs, something shared but unsaid...sometimes words hurt, words can be misconstrued...

but a shrug? well lately i have had lots to shrug about...more like a shrug of 'what can i do?"

things are as they are and i have to grin and bear it..or maybe write it down on a napkin...

love the imagery in this...this write takes the reader places...maybe not exactly to your place...but a place nonetheless..one each reader can relate to...and with much more than just a shrug.

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much my friend, I know these shrugs you speak of all too well...in the context of the poem, I think they fall under the "numb day" category :P So glad this piece resonated with you, it's a personal one for sure...many thanks again.

[Pryde Foltz]

That shrug for a day of weight
when the shoulders are compelled
to compensate for a head
shot down like a hollow usurper
underneath a crown

Sometimes a shrug is better than a fugue. Loved this write and the stanza above--brilliant.

[kublakhan27]

So glad you enjoyed and understood this one, thank you Pryde.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

There's another shrug for the lacking
of a signature to cling to

and

Even strangers have a name
A signature to cling to

-- brilliant. Really moving...

There is a haunting sense about this one. I feel as though I have really seen inside of you with these words, and you have a depth and complexity that can turn even the simplest of "ideas" into something that makes me truly sit back in my chair and contemplate. Great flow and texture to this one; I really enjoy the idea and the bittersweet nature of this one. Great stuff...

[kublakhan27]

Thank you my friend...the last few pieces I've written have been among the most personal I've ever written...these are dark times, and that darkness has seeped into my confidence...I haven't been overly confident about the last few and I'm not overly confident about this one, but your support puts my mind at ease...I don't get as much feedback on stuff as I used to, and your support has become all the more treasured as a result...it's always been treasured of course, but now it even goes beyond the poetry and just makes me feel relevant...again, thank you so much.