Saturday, 6 February 2016

True





















She hikes her skirt up
Strikes a match
If we burn the paper
We no longer exist
See
Easy as pie
She whispers through the black smoke
For a minute I believe
Then remember 
When morning comes
Reality joins her
Sharp as scissors 
Blunt as stone
She doesn't care 
Pack a suitcase
Go away
It means nothing to her
She nestles in 
Chops
Chomps 
The finest piece of cake
A dream can bake
I finger an envelope 
Full of atomic bombs
None of this is real you know
You can’t hide here forever
I feel my skin
The fever on my head
Sticky fingers
Swaying in the dark
She leans across
Licks them
Nothing to be scared of silly
We share the same germs
We are dead and done 
I think
Bandages and chocolate spread
Twirling round my head 
Is that all we are Alice
Words
Well I am
She eyes me up
I’m not sure about you
You are memories 
Rules and regulations
Laws baked tightly in a pie
My chin drops
She stops chewing
Buck the powder
Ramp the dream

I am the constant drone that wears me out

You have to stop carrying them 
If you want to get out

I know
I know

I would like you to be there 
Under the green apple tree
I can’t keep the scared at bay
Not if you're not here

I know 
I know

I will be real
As long as you need me
Right until 
Your very last word.
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66 comments:

  1. Cressida de Nova6 February 2016 at 03:59

    I finger an envelope full of atomic bombs...LOL.My Alice is not as interesting as yours,although she does keep cake and memory sticks in her stockings. Enjoyed this.

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    1. Jae Rose6 February 2016 at 05:57

      It sounds like you have the company of the next evolution of Alice...thank you kindly Cressida

      Delete
  2. Sanaa Rizvi6 February 2016 at 04:02

    I will be real
    As long as you need me
    Right until
    Your very last word.

    I especially loved the closing lines; being human we hold onto the tiniest bit of truth which in turn gives us hope. Beautifully penned! Thank you so much for participating Jae :D


    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  3. author.nara.malone6 February 2016 at 04:53

    So much of this speaks to me. I've got a shoebox full of envelopes that I think might contain atomic bombs. Don't open them and they remain in that state of maybe not. I'd like to take my pie full of rules and let the dog have it. Love that last stanza. Being real is such hard work but the rest can't be without it. :(

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    1. Jae Rose6 February 2016 at 05:58

      As ever thank Nara - you opened the envelope and diffused the bomb - yes being real can be a pain in the a!

      Delete
  4. Anonymous6 February 2016 at 09:30

    Hmmmm, maybe Alice is on to something.

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  5. J.N.T.6 February 2016 at 15:36

    loved this very much. it teaches a lesson for those of us who are kind of fearful about speaking up. good write!

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    1. Jae Rose7 February 2016 at 01:40

      Thanks very much James - we can be braver on paper maybe?

      Delete
    2. J.N.T.7 February 2016 at 13:59

      Yes exactly. thank you for your beautiful mind.

      Delete
  6. Old Egg6 February 2016 at 22:16

    Memories can be precious or extremely dangerous. Both sadly prevent us from moving on into a new life. Whether with Alice or someone else we all need comfort such as Linus's blanket to see us through life. Your writing is quite remarkable Jae.

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    1. Jae Rose7 February 2016 at 01:41

      True and insightful on all counts thank you Old Egg..i hope there will come a day when they are packed away and we can indeed move on..

      Delete
  7. Sumana Roy6 February 2016 at 22:56

    "Is that all we are Alice
    Words
    Well I am"...Been to this place Jae, Like Alice my dear child has been transformed into Words too, living diaries which I dare not touch....love how Alice nestles in chops...

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    1. Jae Rose7 February 2016 at 01:42

      Thank you Sumana - and i am sorry that for you this is indeed even more of a reality - i hope those diaries are of some comfort..my thoughts to you thank you

      Delete
  8. Anonymous7 February 2016 at 00:50

    Is that all we are Alice
    Words
    I will be real as long
    as you need me...

    Good stuff Jae!

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  9. brudberg7 February 2016 at 00:53

    I think we all need an Alice like this. Some memories are so much better burned.

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    1. Jae Rose7 February 2016 at 01:43

      Yes - i think you are right - thank you Bjorn

      Delete
  10. Magical Mystical Teacher7 February 2016 at 05:34

    That envelope full of atomic bombs? Return to sender!

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    1. Jae Rose7 February 2016 at 07:59

      Sound advice thank you Magical - although we only post letters to ourselves...what's that ticking sound Alice :~

      Delete
  11. Gillena Cox7 February 2016 at 05:56

    "The finest piece of cake
    A dream can bake"

    Clever, clever - my favourite lines and too i luv the question of existence today "Is that all we are Alice
    Words"

    Have a nice Sunday Jae, thanks for dropping in at my Sunday Lime

    much love...

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    1. Jae Rose7 February 2016 at 07:59

      Thank you very much Gillena - and a good Sunday back to you

      Delete
  12. Mary7 February 2016 at 06:26

    So many of your stanzas are so profound, Jae. You are quite the philosopher. I like the last one...

    I will be real
    As long as you need me
    Right until
    Your very last word.

    What indeed makes an individual real? If one has no contact with others in one's environment, is there reality? Perhaps we DO experience 'reality' through others who need us. If no one needs us, what is our purpose? If we need no one, we are an island.

    Have a good week, Jae!

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    1. Jae Rose7 February 2016 at 08:00

      I think you have asked the real questions thank you Mary - i just roll around feeling pretty dumb most of the time - thank you so much for your comment and kindness and a good week back to you also

      Delete
  13. Magaly Guerrero7 February 2016 at 07:37

    Our minds would be a better place to travel to if we were able to turn terrible memories into smoke... especially if we found a way to keep the lessons without the hurt.

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    1. Jae Rose7 February 2016 at 08:01

      That's a great way of thinking about it - thank you kindly Magaly (it may take us a while though..we are very slow learners :~)

      Delete
  14. Sherry Blue Sky7 February 2016 at 09:42

    Jae, this is the realest of your very real poems and you have a knowing, an inner truth, that is growing ever stronger. Especially "you have to stop carrying them if you want to get out." It doesnt mean you forgive - one accepts that the past cant be any different, but we no longer allow them to hurt us now........I see great awareness in those lines....and am glad Alice will be with you as long as you need her. We will be, too.

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    1. Jae Rose8 February 2016 at 04:12

      Thank you very much Sherry - I am glad Alice will be there - that you will be too means more though - thank you xo

      Delete
  15. Donna7 February 2016 at 10:06

    Jae, I am full of tears as you are coming to this essential truth my friend....and oh Alice, she is amazing isn't she....I see the inner you as Alice. Perhaps too scared to admit she is the true you or the you who helps you see the truth...the ending lines are the most powerful and real!

    'I will be real
    As long as you need me
    Right until
    Your very last word.'

    Great big hugs to you!!

    Donna@LivingFromHappiness

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    1. Anonymous7 February 2016 at 11:24

      Just Words, you say? Words are food and fuel. They shape and form us and the world we live in. They are magic that allow us to find our way to what we will become. They both guard and guide us. What I like most about this piece, these words you have written, is the conclusion. That, my friend, is more than a promise, that is a commitment. Congratulations to both of you,

      Elizabeth

      Delete
    2. Jae Rose8 February 2016 at 04:15

      Thank you so much Donna - greatly appreciated..a hug right back to you!

      And thank you too Elizabeth - words are magic aren't they..they certainly led us to some very kind people..and i suppose yes..it is a commitment..thank you for the congratulations..

      Delete
  16. Hopie7 February 2016 at 10:13

    wow....excellent.

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  17. Purba chakraborty7 February 2016 at 12:51

    Loved the way the poem ended. So beautiful :)

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  18. Misky7 February 2016 at 13:02

    I've burnt a lot of memories but the smoke always lingers like an unwelcome visitor. Nice bit of writing.

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    1. Jae Rose8 February 2016 at 04:16

      yes - it's not easily shifted..even if the windows are wide open and the door unlocked - thank you Marilyn

      Delete
  19. Keith's Ramblings7 February 2016 at 15:36

    The final four lines sum it up perfectly. A delight.

    Click here to read my Whirlie!

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  20. humbird7 February 2016 at 15:54

    'The finest piece of cake
    A dream can bake' ~ True!!!

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    1. Jae Rose8 February 2016 at 04:17

      And we cordially offer you a slice - thanks humbird :)

      Delete
  21. Truedessa7 February 2016 at 16:21

    If we burn our words do we cease to exist? Does the pain magically disappear? I think we all need a bit of a reality check the ending of this is full of hope that healing will eventually come.

    I will be real
    As long as you need me
    Right until
    Your very last word.

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    Replies
    1. Jae Rose8 February 2016 at 04:20

      Thank you Truedessa...i think it's true magic eludes us in some ways.. thank you for seeing the hope..maybe eventually is more sure than a rabbit plucked from a hat anyway

      Delete
  22. Dee Martin7 February 2016 at 17:44

    but the words will live on beyond us. Do you ever think of Alice scribbling in the night when you sleep? We are all a work in progress. Memories are only a part of that process albeit a very powerful part. I hope those explosive envelopes are ones you are sending rather than receiving :) Hug Alice for me - while she can be a little twit sometimes I like it when she comes out to play :)

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    1. Jae Rose8 February 2016 at 04:22

      Thanks for making me chuckle Dee - good to see you - she is a petulant little madam for sure..i think she raids the sweetie tin and i dream the words (don't let her know that though)..i think she is the mouthy confidence and i am the silent pencil ;) And a hug in return

      Delete
  23. Wendy Bourke7 February 2016 at 19:11

    I agree: "I will be real
    As long as you need me
    Right until
    Your very last word." Is simply a brilliant, evocative, little snippet of writing. Probably because it is what we all long to hear. Another wonderful piece, Jae.

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    1. Jae Rose8 February 2016 at 04:22

      Thank you very much Wendy - much appreciated

      Delete
  24. C.C.7 February 2016 at 19:16

    "The finest piece of cake
    A dream can bake"---this is fantastic writing on so many levels. And, in the end, how truly satisfying are the cakes we eat in our dreams because we can not bear to live in reality?

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    1. Jae Rose8 February 2016 at 04:24

      Thank you C.C. - i think awake cake is pretty good although my furry arteries would probably benefit from dream calories..reality can be hard to swallow no matter how much sugar we add i suppose

      Delete
  25. ✿7 February 2016 at 22:00

    "She hikes her skirt up
    Strikes a match" ... What an attention-grabbing opening, especially coming just after that simple and to-the-point title.

    "For a minute I believe
    Then remember
    When morning comes
    Reality joins her
    Sharp as scissors" ... So much heavy truth here.

    "I finger an envelope
    Full of atomic bombs" ... WOW. First of all, it just sounds cool. Second of all, I actually know what you're saying. On at least two (or three) different levels, actually.

    I also really like these sections:

    "Sticky fingers
    Swaying in the dark
    She leans across
    Licks them"

    "She eyes me up
    I’m not sure about you
    You are memories"

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    1. Jae Rose8 February 2016 at 04:26

      Thank you for your incisive comment Shawna - and for knowing..we hope for you too that it will be 'less' in time to come..

      Delete
  26. Anonymous8 February 2016 at 02:31

    another intriguing piece Jae Rose - please enlighten:
    "Buck the powder
    Ramp the dream"

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    1. Jae Rose8 February 2016 at 04:28

      Thank you telltale - not sure i can enlighten but maybe there are code words?

      buck the powder - powder = chemicals..bucking is going under or waking up (i think)

      ramp the dream - make the dream brighter..louder and better than the powder..

      improve reality not dodge it i guess?

      Delete
  27. Myrna R.8 February 2016 at 07:13

    Beautiful write. I love the dialogue leading almost to a decisicion to seize life, even if from a dream. I like the comfort Alice offers to be with you always - that eagle eye that sees beyond life's hypocrisies. There's so much here. Lovely.

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    1. Jae Rose8 February 2016 at 11:57

      Thank you so much Myrna - I suppose it is a subconscious decision to try and seine life - thank you Alice too for that maybe :) best wishes back to you

      Delete
  28. kaykuala8 February 2016 at 07:31

    As long as you need me
    Right until
    Your very last word

    A pledge most sincere that can be given to someone dear! Great lines Jae

    Hank

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  29. annell48 February 2016 at 13:39

    Oh sweetie, what a wonderful write!!! I love each words, so beautifully done...xoxoxoxoxohugs

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  30. ZQ8 February 2016 at 16:31

    ...another wonderful episode in the life of the "Rose" ;-)
    ZQ

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  31. Eileen T O'Neill .....9 February 2016 at 09:48

    Jae Rose,

    I prefer those good memories to last; the rest I hope would disappear in a puff of smoke..Truth is an absolute requirement of life for me..Cake is always a bonus!
    Eileen

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    1. Jae Rose9 February 2016 at 12:03

      Truth and cakes seems pretty good to me too..thank you kindly Eileen

      Delete
  32. Hannah9 February 2016 at 14:55

    Your closing is especially moving...the way you bring the "words" parts together so meaningfully. Wonderful Jae.

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  33. Intelliblog16 February 2016 at 22:08

    I liked this one very much, Jae Rose! That envelope full of atomic bombs is such a powerful image!

    ReplyDelete

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