Wednesday, April 11, 2007

prison

I can’t see my prison
of a young atom bomb child
but I am looking for the bars
and walls that float around me –
flowers and trees that strangle
to hide the things that bind me
grabbing poems like bars to shake with rage
I must slip free of the balls without chains
and learn how to take them apart –
find a tunnel under solitary confinement
peek through a peephole in the glass wall
that floats around me
to the door that also floats
that opens onto a dream of freedom

12 comments:

Pat Paulk said...

I know this feeling well. "grabbing poems like bars to shake with rage", stunning line!! Been wondering what you come out, you didn't disappoint!!

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks Pat! It is really frustrating to not be able to write as often as I need to. I'm glad that line worked for you. I hope I'll be able to have more time soon. Thanks for that enthusiastic comment.

gautami tripathy said...

I agree with Pat. I like that line very much. I have felt that rage too when words stop coming into my mind. Frustrating as hell.

Good to see you posting again.

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks Gautami! I'm glad you liked it. Words come to my mind all the time but I only have time to sit and write a poem about every two weeks at the moment. Extra responsibilities have been put on me and a committee of collegues to come up with a syllabus for a new course. It is taking far too much of our time. It is good to get to blog some. Thanks for the great comment, sweet lady.

iamnasra said...

Its unexpected poem --enjoyed reading it

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks Nasra! This is a difficult time for me, with very little of the freedom to write which I had enjoyed earlier. I'm glad you had a good read and thanks for the wonderful comment, sweet lady.

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you're back, Russell. I've sure missed your poetry.

This poem is open-ended enough to appeal to many, to take on various nuances and meanings to give relevance to each reader. Yet it's got enough form to tell its own story. Well done!

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks Aurora! What a fantastic thing to say. I'm glad you missed me I've been missing you too! Thanks for the grat comment, sweet lady.

Plus Ultra said...

The last four lines are really excellent

Anonymous said...

You are right, the bars and chains aren't always visible...even to the one imprisoned. Whether it be by words that won't come, or anything else beyond our control. Struggling and stuggling to break free. Well done!

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks plus ultra! What a fantastic comment, I really appreciate it. Thanks my friend!

Russell Ragsdale said...

Thanks Louise! Yes, you are right, the worst prisons are the invisible ones we build out of nothing for ourselves. Thanks for the great comment sweet lady!