Innocence

Innocence

A Poem by Lisasview
"

Very different from anything I have ever written Free Verse

"

    Innocence....

     Innocence flew by,
     like an old crow
     looking for a place to die,
     with a world to discover ...
     few moments to listen.

     She sought what she felt;
     yet, never found it;
     time rose up 
     like an angry whale ...
     her heart tore.

     In spite, she waited
     for a moment of reprieve,
     tossing her wishes away,
     as the whale
     swallowed each.

     Wanting more of her innocence, 
     the whale waited.
     Waters opened 'n flowed;
     still, the whale waited ...

     Time disappeared; 
     as did she ...
     with her innocence.

              ~~~

© 2023 Lisasview


Author's Note

Lisasview
If you happen to pass by and read my poem I would appreciate a review. I always review whatever I read.
Thank you,
Lisa

My Review

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Featured Review

Lisa,
I've long wondered what the loss of innocence actually means. I remember back in 1967, 8, and 9, I lived in Pensacola, Florida with a coterie of brilliant, beautiful friends discovering weed, and acid, and reveling in this new paradigm of sex, drugs, and Rock-n-Roll. Claudia introduced two new innocents into our tight group, and they were gorgeous, laughed easily, and danced like crazy! They were both engaged, but never brought their guys around. Both got married in the same church at the same time, and disappeared. A year later, I had moved to Wisconsin and did the same.
When I returned to Pensacola, I wanted to show off my new friends to my former classmates and went to find Claudia. Her mom gave me her new address, an old Painted Lady divided into apartments where she shared rooms with those two girls. They were divorced, and broken" their faces were hard, and their eyes flat. Innocence lost. I wrote about it:

IN THE GARDEN

In the garden of rock and roll girls
I knew back then were the eyes of
innocent laughter ripe for the gathering.

The taste of living was honey
on their lips and thighs
when they smiled at us
to the sound of guitar
poetry painting fantasies in
the blue nights and yellow days
spent guileless in the garden of
rock and roll girls I knew back then.

They danced with us in the
smoke of our wildest dreams
breathless, bouncing hair
and the drum of burning blood,
a fire in the garden until midnight
when the harvester comes wearing
a jeweled grin to share with them.

He lives today around their
white necks and naked wrists
slit by the fangs of innocence.

As you can see, I have long been troubled by this "rite of passage." And a few minutes ago, I clicked on your picture again, but it wasn't the same one as accompanies this poem. In that one you are giving a great guffaw, and full of joy. The one here speaks better to the theme.
Hmmm. I wonder if commenting like this is what we are supposed to do, rather than an analysis or critique, "Why did you use that word? or What did you mean by that image?". But somehow It is a little richer, I think, to speak directly to the poet and the poet's thoughts and feelings, Something I can't do with D. H. Lawrence, or Charles Bukowski or any of those other dead ones. So, unless you tell me otherwise, I'll carry on. But with messages rather than here, because I'd love to delve into some of the images and thoughts in this poem.
I hope your shoulder is healing, and i understand the pain, and the limitations it puts on how much you can write,


Posted 1 Year Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

Vol

1 Year Ago

OW! Lisa!
I can relate... It is awful, and even the deep knowledge that this will pass does .. read more
V.R.S.C.

1 Year Ago

Both a powerful poem and top review. I have nothing to add. Thank you both Lisa and Vol for sharing!
Lisasview

1 Year Ago

Thank you so so much!
Lisa



Reviews

Thank You for writing something different dear Lisa and more importantly about children. your metaphor of the whale is chosen smartly, I can't help but imagine this whale of a "raper" who steals innocence from children. yet I see it also as the world itself the cruel world that swallows all their smiles, dreams and happiness. poverty, wars, ignorance... ect... all these ugly things that take away the pureness and light of children.

Posted 2 Years Ago


lightsong

2 Years Ago

Time! and that's a great idea! time that steals innocence as the person grow up. OH! my I was about .. read more
Lisasview

2 Years Ago

I think this is so great.. Our creative minds going over the many possibilities for this poem..
read more
lightsong

2 Years Ago

I agree my dear :>
"Innocence flew by,
like an old crow
looking for a place to die," --- What a gets vision!
Somehow, I wanted to know more about this person, then again, I'm not sure I really do(?). Nice, a solid write with great wording.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Lisasview

2 Years Ago

Oh dear, I just saw this wonderful review of your..written two weeks ago!!
Interesting that .. read more
JE Falcon

2 Years Ago

No problem. It's been happening to me too, lately; maybe it's TWC, not us. :)
Dear Lisa. Your lines here are thought provoking. They are heavy with the weight of those innocents losing their lives at present. It is difficult to concentrate on anything other than Ukraine. That's where my heart is at the moment. On the rubble of all that has been lost.

Chris

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Have a lovely weekend dear Lisa. Hope the sun is shining on you :) I love poetry that can have a mul.. read more
Lisasview

2 Years Ago

I do too..
Today looks like a beautiful day... Finished practicing piano and now off to finis.. read more
Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thank you :)
I read the whale as a predator. The primordial evil that weighs on the innocent. And time creates the silence that feeds the whale. She then disappears into the waters of the human condition. This is very thought provoking which is what good poetry can do. Provoke us into thoughts that maybe we don't really want to think.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Lisasview

2 Years Ago

Interesting to read your thoughts.. Interpretations are great to know.. Did you read the other revie.. read more
William Michael Reeves

2 Years Ago

I know that feeling. Uncontrollable spontaneous poetry. I do read the other reviews. Sometimes befor.. read more
Lisasview

2 Years Ago

I completely agree...
Thank you..I appreciate your thoughts,
Lisa
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Gee
Oh to have the innocence and naivety of childhood, when the world a big playground with only sunshine and blue skies. Life strips us of this as we age, some losing it earlier than others at the hand of man himself.
An interesting read Lisa, so different from your other posts.
Another well written piece

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Lisasview

2 Years Ago

I have no idea where my poem came from.. Perhaps because of what is going on now...The metaphors fle.. read more
I like the reference to the whale swallowing innocence as the allusion to the story of Jonah and his innocent reactions to many things or guilty ones. You are a brilliant poet.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Lisasview

2 Years Ago

Oh my I never even thought of that... Although deep down somewhere in my subconcience that though wa.. read more
Sami Khalil

2 Years Ago

It sure is. You are welcome dear lisa from beautiful Spain.
The day fighting countries will protect the innocent rather than exploiting it there we will find hope.
A very touching piece.

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Lisasview

2 Years Ago

Thank you so much for your review Cherrie..
I really appreciate it...
Lisa
Lisa... the Innocence of Children is a Treasure to
cherish... however when Storms of War torn traumas
occur... many are without shelter... and only loving tender
care can repair the damage done. gently, Pat

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Lisasview

2 Years Ago

Just read your comment to my dear husband..and reading it aloud gave us both chills....
Patricia Wedel

2 Years Ago

dearest Lisa... we will never be the same again in our Lifetime.. after knowing that Beautiful Peop.. read more
Lisasview

2 Years Ago

Good morning Pat,
Yes, this is the really of our world and has been from the beginning... So .. read more
dramatic tension builds with the whale just waiting .. horrible the loss and/or destruction of innocence .. reminds me of the words of Jesus Christ when he said "“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:6 .. speaking of the children surrounding him ... pic is striking says i! too many hungry children in the world aren't there?! :(
E.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Lisasview

2 Years Ago

Glad you felt the tension.. These words just came out of me.. I never changed anything... except ori.. read more
I'm for the preservation of innocence as much and as long as it can be sustained. This was quite unusual in its structure. (Time as a whale that swallows crows, as it were.) But it was an interesting effect. It reminded me of some of the fables I've read in African and aboriginal folklore. I enjoyed the read.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Lisasview

2 Years Ago

Love that you understood my poem..
There is so much to "get" from my words.. I wrote this wit.. read more

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Added on March 1, 2022
Last Updated on August 31, 2023

Author

Lisasview
Lisasview

Benitachell, Alicante, Spain



About
I have been writing poetry and short stories since I was 10..so 64 years! I have never connected with any groups but recently thought why not.. So here I ..looking at where this adventure leads me. more..

Writing

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