Wednesday, September 9, 2020

So Much Ash

Positivity,
they tell me, is so much ash
in delusion’s mouth.
I say nothing, but wonder
why their phoenix stopped burning.

photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko, on Unsplash

51 comments:

  1. "when their phoenix stopped burning" -- wow, what a powerful (and sad) image!

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  2. The problem in a nutshell. Who has a match to light the the fire bomb? Remember the phoenix lived thousands of years before they burned. Our world is moving faster now, will those remaining have shorter life spans.
    I would like to read this book. We love her dearly and she loves us too but I am sure our Black great granddaughter has endured problems the type of which we have never imagined. And now they have two adorable children. (A Phoenix First Must Burn: Sixteen Stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope--Book by Patrice Caldwell)
    ..

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    1. Our Library has the book, four copies. It will be ready for me on Monday +/-.
      ..

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    2. I hope you enjoy the reading, Jim.

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  3. Delusion is a wet enough blanket to the ash. No need to wonder dear

    Happy Wednesday

    Much💓love

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  4. I can't help but think that the ash mixed with saliva would make it's own sort of ink. You "say nothing" but perhaps the words don't come out of your mouth but rather out of your pen.

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    1. I love the way you think--and not just because I believe the same--it's good to make (and see) the best of things. If life gives you spit and ash, make ink.

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  5. Sadly they are missing the phoenix element in their psyche... destined to never fly or soar above the devastation.

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  6. This world does it's best to make us forget our ability to blaze forth. And sometimes we have to struggle to keep just a bit of heat around for that right moment when we can burn brightest. But I think that effort is always worth it too.

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  7. Well we know "positivity" is the ember that never stops burning XXX

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  8. Best to keep mouth closed as you don't want it full of ash. I love this.

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    1. Especially these days, when the ash doesn't seem to be satisfied with being metaphor.

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  9. Spare me delusion and ashes, but I'm all for some positivity.

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  10. Beacause we took away the beauty of the world and thought hate was a good word.

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  11. It’s those glass half empty people again, Magaly, trying to douse our phoenix because theirs stopped burning. They are the ones spitting ash.

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  12. Well, every now and then you have to set fire to a bird yourself. (Mad cackling.)

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    1. Now I can't stop thinking about your purse... on fire!

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  13. Wow, you packed two hard-hitting, vivid metaphors into only 5 lines! Brava!

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  14. Looks like my comment didn't post. (Or maybe I didn't press the right button ... just possibly.) Anyway, I think this piece is beautifully succinct, saying it all and saying it in striking language which, once heard (read) is obviously exactly right. Brest of all I love 'ash / in delusion's mouth'.

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  15. Ash is a lovely snack, though.

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  16. Happy Sunday Magaly

    Much💛love

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  17. I stopped at "ash." The West is covered with ash because of wildfires seemingly everywhere. Delusion may have trouble speaking with ashes in its mouth, but so do we humans. Meanwhile, I find refuge in poetry.

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    Replies
    1. It's a terrible thing. I find myself saying "terrible" a lot these days. Sigh. Even here, all the way in New York City, we are beginning to see the effects of the fires in the sky. It's terrifying.

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  18. I won't even walk on the coals.

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  19. We are fighting the smoke in my small Oregon city, praying for everyone in harm's way.

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  20. I hope there is an abundant crop of winged phoenixes who rise from the ash.

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  21. A beautifully constructed tanka ... that echos.

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  22. This is if the phoenix gave up on the process and was never reborn. Kind of sad.

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  23. "so much ash in delusion's mouth" - incredible image, Magaly!

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